Texas Exotic

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TEXAS STATE PAGE

Dates & Fees | Texas Exotic Hunting

Raffle: October 15, 2025
Public Draw: November 1, 2025

UP-FRONT FEES
Big Time Texas Hunts Raffle Entry Fee (Online) $9.00
State Draw Application Fee $10.00
POST DRAW FEES (IF SUCCESSFUL)
Hunting License $25.00

UP-FRONT FEES
Big Time Texas Hunts Raffle Entry Fee (Online) $9.00
State Draw Application Fee $10.00
POST DRAW FEES (IF SUCCESSFUL)
Hunting License $25.00

TEXAS WHITE-TAILED DEER SEASON DATES
Rifle (North Zone) Nov 1, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026
Rifle (South Zone) Nov 1, 2025 – Jan 18, 2026
Archery (most counties) Sep 27 – Oct 31, 2025
Muzzleloader (select counties) Jan 5 – Jan 18, 2026
Special Late (North Zone) Jan 5 – Jan 18, 2026
Special Late (South Zone) Jan 19 – Feb 1, 2026
Youth-Only (Early) Oct 24 – Oct 26, 2025
Youth-Only (Late) Jan 5 – Jan 18, 2026
TEXAS MULE DEER SEASON DATES
Archery (Panhandle Zone) Sep 27 - Nov 21, 2025
Archery (Trans-Pecos Zone) Sep 27 - Nov 27, 2025
Rifle (Panhandle Zone) Nov 22 – Dec 7, 2025
Rifle (Trans-Pecos Zone) Nov 28 – Dec 14, 2025
TEXAS DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP SEASON DATES
Public Draw / Translocation Areas By permit only; dates vary (typically late fall–winter)
TEXAS EXOTICS SEASON DATES
Aoudad (Barbary Sheep) Year-round where legal (draw hunts may have set dates)
Axis / Blackbuck / Fallow Year-round where legal (draw hunts may have set dates)
Nilgai (South TX & Coastal) Year-round where legal (draw hunts may have set dates)

Disclaimer: Texas seasons vary by county/zone, weapon, and hunt area. Some hunts are draw-only with assigned dates. Always verify current regulations with TPWD: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/

Early November

4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX 78744
ph. 512-389-4800

 

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Texas Exotic Hunting 2025

Guided Gemsbok Hunt

Much like the guided bighorn sheep package, Texas offers an awesome chance to hunt gemsbok in the public draw. The hunt is guided, and food, lodging, and on-site transportation are provided. This is an adult-only hunt with a minimum age of 17. The hunt dates are December 16-19, 2025. The hunt will take place on the Mason Mountain WMA, and you will be able to harvest one gemsbok of either sex and unlimited feral hogs at occupants. Only centerfire rifles are allowed with a minimum caliber of .270 with 150 grain projectiles. For 2024-2025, there were two permits for 8,917 applicants; the hunt usually boasts 100% success. For 2023-2024, there were two permits for 8,148 applicants with a 100% success rate on the hunt. For 2022-2023, there were two permits for 8,898 applicants with a 100% success rate on the hunt. The guided Scimitar-horned oryx hunt package will be running in conjunction with the gemsbok hunt package.

Guided Scimitar-Horned Oryx Hunt Package

The guided Scimitar-horned oryx hunt will take place on the Mason Mountain WMA December 16-19, 2025. Food, lodging, and on-site transportation are provided on this guided hunt. This is an adult-only hunt with a minimum age of 17. You will be able to harvest one Scimitar-horned oryx of either sex and unlimited feral hogs at occupants. Centerfire rifles are allowed with a minimum caliber of .270 with 150 grain projectiles. For 2024-2025, there were two permits for 8,204 applicants; the hunt usually boasts 100% success. For 2023-2024, there were two permits for 7,911 applicants with a 100% success rate on the hunt. For 2022-2023, there were two permits for 8,056 applicants with a 50% success rate on the hunt.

Texas Aoudad Hunting

Texas is home to some amazing free-range aoudad hunts. As most of Texas is private land, we would highly recommend you get in contact with an outfitter. This is a great opportunity to plan for an “Offseason hunt” that runs from October until March. If a 30” ram is on your bucket list, give us a call and we’ll set you up with one of our Endorsed Outfitters.

Guided Hunts - Featured Texas Exotic Hunting

Alaska Peninsula Coast
HFA002-5

Alaska Peninsula Coast

Species: Brown Bear
Cost: $ 29,500.00
Location: Alaska, United States
New Mexico Unit 36
HFA091-1

New Mexico Unit 36

Species: Rocky Mountain Elk
Cost: $ 8,000.00
Location: New Mexico, United States
All-Inclusive Guided Stone
HFA396-3

All-Inclusive Guided Stone

Species: Stone Sheep
Cost: $ 89,250.00
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Trophy Canadian Moose
HFA038-5

Trophy Canadian Moose

Species: Canadian Moose
Cost: $ 9,800.00
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Wyoming Antelope Hunt
HFA127-2

Wyoming Antelope Hunt

Species: Pronghorn Antelope
Cost: $ 4,500.00
Location: Wyoming, United States
Montana Mountain Lion
HFA245-8

Montana Mountain Lion

Species: Mountain Lion
Cost: $ 6,800.00
Location: Montana, United States
Idaho Trophy Mule Deer
HFA392-4

Idaho Trophy Mule Deer

Species: Mule Deer
Cost: $ 5,900.00
Location: Idaho, United States
SEARCH ALL HUNTS

Application Deadline for Texas Exotic Hunting

The application deadline for the Texas public draw and the Big Time Texas Hunts raffle is October 15, 2025. The Texas Desert sheep deadline is November 1, 2025.

 

Our magazine, which is available in print and online, has everything in one location - application info, draw details and odds, fees, hunter requirements, point structure, age restrictions, youth information, weapon restrictions,  other tag opportunites, hunt planning, and much more. If you would like access to all of our research, join today!

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2025 Texas Exotic Hunting Season Dates

TEXAS EXOTICS SEASON DATES
Aoudad (Barbary Sheep) Year-round where legal (draw hunts may have set dates)
Axis / Blackbuck / Fallow Year-round where legal (draw hunts may have set dates)
Nilgai (South TX & Coastal) Year-round where legal (draw hunts may have set dates)

Disclaimer: Exotic species are generally open year-round on private land. Public draw hunts have set dates. Verify with TPWD: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/

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Exotic Safari Raffle Tag

Included in the Big Time Texas Hunts raffle is their Exotic Safari package that allows the winner and one companion to harvest three exotics. The choices available for harvest include: gemsbok, scimitar-horned oryx. The winner can harvest two trophy animals in addition to one non-trophy oryx or another designated exotic. Food and lodging are provided on the Mason Mountain WMA. You will be accompanied by TPWD biologists as well as guides from the Mason Mountain WMA. You will receive taxidermy after the hunt in the form of two shoulder mounts. On the hunt, you must use a rifle with a minimum caliber of .270. You will also have the opportunity to fish, harvest unlimited feral hogs, and bring along a non-hunting companion in addition to the hunting companion.

Texas Exotic Hunting Articles

Advisor Articles from Our Magazine on Texas Application and Hunting Strategy

Nilgai Antelope Safari

Included in the Big Time Texas Hunts raffle is their hunt for Nilgai antelope. It is a free-range hunt in South Texas, and you will be rewarded with around 600 pounds of great wild meat. Lodging and food are complementary for the hunt. As with most of the Big Time Texas Hunts, you will receive a professional guide. The hunter may bring along a hunting guest who may also participate in hunting activities.

Trans-Pecos Aoudad Adventure

New last year and continuing this year for the Big Time Texas Hunts is an awesome aoudad sheep hunt. This hunt will be a free-range hunt in the Chihuahua Desert in the Trans Pecos region. You and a non-hunting guest will be able to enjoy food and lodging complimentary for the duration of your hunt as well as professional guides throughout the hunt.

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