"My" Sheep Hunt
| 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/
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.
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 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.
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!
| 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/
$199 BILLED ANNUALLY
Unlimited One-On-One hunt consultations and everything you need to prep like a pro and hunt like a fool.
$48 BILLED ANNUALLY
Access our digital research tools, draw more tags, and hunt with better information.
Our members experience improved hunting opportunities as a direct result of the Huntin' Fool magazine. We are the only publication that breaks more than 20 states' hunting regulations and draw systems into bite-sized chunks for our members.
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.
Advisor Articles from Our Magazine on Texas Application and Hunting Strategy
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.
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.
Huntin’ Fool offers a wide variety of services and resources within the hunting space, and the Huntin’ Fool App offers access to them all. Utilizing this app, you will be able to apply for hunts, plan hunts, buy hunts, and win hunts. This app is simple to use and puts the tools you need to go on great hunts right at your fingertips.
At Huntin' Fool, we are always looking for ways to improve our service and help out members to the very best of our abilities. We believe communication is what makes our Huntin' Fool community great!