Heads up, TX has changed their Non-Resident Licenses...

Following because I’ll also need a license for Texas Dove opener

Texas is looking for ways to raise more money through licenses and it shows

Just read an article last week about how our game wardens are helping out with major increased foot traffic at state parks but yet there is very little increased income due to most parks being free. Since covid, state park traffic in Texas has nearly doubled but the budget remains the same. Because hunting/fishing licenses fund TPWD, they are trying to raise prices and get more people to purchase licenses to help alleviate the financial strain that the parks issue is causing

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Why would they include deer in in a "small game" license? Terrible terminology imo.

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They don't. Nonresident small game allowed you to hunt everything but deer and turkey all season long for $150.

That option has been removed and you only have two options now.

Nonresident small game 5 day pass for $48 which is everything but deer and turkey 5 days per purchase.

Or general nonresident hunting which includes everything for $315.

I bird hunt/wing shoot only in TX multiple times per year. My only option has now doubled my annual cost because of the change. I never got deer tags in TX because I deer hunt in LA. ( For the record, I know my description of what's going on is clear as mud.)

To paraphrase, for the last 20 years I bird hunted multiple times a year in TX for $150/year. Now it will cost me $315 and I get deer tags I won't use.

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Just call it a Non Resident Hunting license. If you need a "stamp" or add on for something else, explicitly state that.

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They do. There are other cost like migratory bird permit, duck stamps(1 time purchase) and $5 convenience fee each transaction.

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I don't think that's terrible fwiw, $48 or twice at $48 solves most non residents needs.

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I bird hunt in TX a minimum of 5 weekends per season. Sometimes 6, 7 or more if my spots are good, we have water, etc.. I just don't have deer or turkey hunting rights on the property I bird hunt. Those are sub-leased to a group of guys out of Dallas.

ETA: This is what I have to buy to hunt in TX like I typically do. It used to cost $150...

Item # Item Description Valid From Valid To Lic. Year Qty Fees ($)
105 General Non-Resident Hunting 08/21/2025 08/31/2026 2026 1 315.00
137 HIP Certification 08/21/2025 08/31/2026 2026 1 0.00
168 Migratory Game Bird Endorsement 08/21/2025 08/31/2026 2026 1 7.00
167 Upland Game Bird Endorsement 08/21/2025 08/31/2026 2026 1 7.00
590 Federal Sandhill Crane Permit 08/21/2025 08/31/2026 2026 1 0.00
138 Fed Duck Stamp 08/21/2025 06/30/2026 2026 1 31.00
Customer Total: $360.00
Summary of Charges
Order Subtotal: $360.00
Standard Delivery: $0.00
TPWD Administrative Fee: $5.00
Total Amount to be
Charged to Credit Card: $365.00

I seent what ya did wrong here

I really don't think a federal charge is worth saving the $100.

I’ve been buying NR Texas, MS and Alabama the last three years. shite gets expensive.

I’m guessing none of you deer hunt in Oklahoma! Sheesh

Love the Senior fishing fees though if you are a senior fisher in La.