The Top 5 Archery Season Hunting Tips From Texas Game Wardens

Get Ready for Archery Season: Essential Hunting Tips

The 2024 Archery-Only Season for white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and mule deer kicks off  this weekend, Sept. 28 and runs through Nov. 1, 2024. Texas Game Wardens are reminding us to be prepared by offering some very important tips to ensure a safe and successful hunt.

As you'll see tip #3 is about getting your hunting license, and one of the coolest things that our incredible Texas Parks and Wildlife Departments (TPWD) has done in the past couple of years is, you can now secure your hunting license (to include archery endorsement) from the TPWD smartphone app. Check it out.

Time to Prepare for Success and Safety

1. Safety First - Even though bows aren’t firearms, treat them with the same caution. Always point arrows and bolts in a safe direction and be mindful of sharp broadheads. Tree stand falls are the most common injury, so wear a safety harness, use a safety line, and maintain three points of contact when climbing.
2. Prepare Your Gear - Practice with your bow regularly to improve accuracy and avoid accidents. Keep your equipment in top shape, and if you're hunting from public land, wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange to ensure visibility. Don’t forget essentials like water, food, and basic survival gear in case you're stranded.
3. Licensing and Regulations - Hunters must have a valid license, archery endorsement, and hunter education certification. Mule deer and white-tail species can look similar, so familiarize yourself with antler restrictions and county-specific regulations to avoid mistakes.
4. Ethical Hunting - Take only safe, ethical shots within your effective range. Be patient when tracking deer, waiting at least 30 minutes before following their trail. If needed, have contact information for someone with a tracking dog to help recover your game.
5. Know the Terrain and Weather - Texas weather is unpredictable, so be prepared for sudden changes. After a successful hunt, ensure quick processing to avoid spoilage, especially in warmer climates.
   Source: TPWD Outdoor Annual

How and Where to Brush Up on the Texas Hunting Laws

Remember, Texas Game Wardens are here to help, I know this for a fact, the they love it when we all have a successful hunt. A little known secret I keep to myself is, "before I head out the door I will call my game warden friends and ask for any tips they might give me".

So, before you go, check all regulations in the Texas Outdoor Annual or better yet, download their cool Mobile APP for your mobile phone before heading out. See below the animals you can hunt all year round in Texas and a Hunters dream home. Good luck and be safe out there!