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Texas is home to the largest feral hog population in the United States, with estimates ranging from 2.6 to 3 million hogs roaming its fields, forests, and ranchland. These highly adaptive animals cause over $50 million in agricultural damage annually, tearing up crops, pastures, and even wildlife habitats. For landowners and hunters, Texas hog hunting presents both an opportunity and a challenge: hogs can be pursued year-round without bag limits, but managing their numbers is far from simple.

Unlike deer, which have tightly regulated hunting seasons, hogs are classified as a non-game invasive species in Texas. That means they’re always “in season,” but specific rules apply depending on whether you’re on public or private land, and whether you’re hunting or trapping. For deer hunters, hog activity is becoming a bigger issue each year, as sounders move into food plots, compete at feeders, and even prey on fawns.

Ready to take action? Learn more about the Boar Blanket Hog Trap in Texas, the portable, one-person net trap that works anywhere in the state.

Texas Hog Hunting License: Do You Need One?

Yes. All hunters in Texas, residents and non-residents alike, must carry a valid Texas hunting license to pursue feral hogs. Unlike deer hunting, however, no tags or harvest reporting is required for hogs.

  • Private land: With landowner permission, hogs may be hunted year-round, day or night. A basic hunting license is required.
  • Public land: A hunting license and, in some cases, special permits are required. Bag limits remain unlimited, but access is more restricted than on private property.

Key difference vs. deer: Deer hunting in Texas requires tags, harvest records, and often higher-cost licenses. Hog hunting is far simpler, though the basic license requirement remains.

Is Texas Hog Hunting Open Year-Round?

Yes, hog hunting is open 365 days a year with no bag limits. But the real issue is how hog activity overlaps with deer hunting seasons, creating new challenges for landowners and hunters.

SpeciesSeason Dates (2025)Notes
Feral HogsYear-roundNo bag limit, license required
Deer – ArcherySept 27 – Oct 31, 2025Archery-only counties vary
Deer – General FirearmsNov 1 – Jan 5, 2026Dates vary by region
Youth-Only DeerOct 25 – Oct 26, 2025 & Jan 10 – Jan 11, 2026Limited opportunity

Hog pressure often peaks right as deer hunters are entering the woods in fall. Many report that heavy hog activity reduces deer sightings at feeders and food plots.

Types of Hogs You’ll Encounter While Texas Hog Hunting

Texas hogs are all members of Sus scrofa, but they appear in different forms:

  • Domestic feral hogs: Descendants of escaped livestock, often lighter-colored and smaller.
  • Eurasian wild boars: Darker, longer-tusked animals introduced for sport hunting.
  • Hybrids: The most common type, combining traits of both and adapting rapidly to diverse habitats.

These hogs can reach 200–300+ pounds, with large boars dominating feeders and driving deer away. Their rooting destroys food plots intended for deer and reduces acorn and mast availability, putting direct pressure on whitetail herds.

How Do Feral Hogs Affect Deer Hunting in Texas?

Feral hogs don’t just compete with deer for corn at feeders — they fundamentally alter deer behavior:

  • Food Plot Destruction: Hogs uproot freshly planted fields, leaving nothing for deer.
  • Feeder Competition: Dominant hog sounders take over feeders, forcing deer to avoid the area.
  • Predation: Hogs have been documented preying on fawns, reducing deer recruitment.
  • Habitat Damage: Rooting and wallowing destroy bedding areas and increase erosion.

With over 3 million deer hunters in Texas, the growing hog population is creating real concern about future deer seasons.

What Legal Methods Can You Use to Control Hogs?

In Texas, hog control is flexible but there are rules:

  • Trapping: Allowed year-round. Systems like the Boar Blanket are especially effective, silently capturing entire sounders without spooking deer in nearby stands.
  • Night Hunting: Permitted with landowner consent. Night vision, thermal scopes, and artificial light are legal tools.
  • Aerial Gunning: Landowners may obtain permits for helicopter control.
  • Transport Restrictions: Live feral hogs may only be transported by individuals registered with the Texas Animal Health Commission.

FAQs

Can I use night vision to hunt hogs in Texas?
Yes, with landowner permission. Thermal and night vision are commonly used.

Do I need tags for feral hogs like I do for deer?
No. A license is required, but tags and harvest records are not.

Can non-residents hunt hogs in Texas?
Yes, but they must purchase a non-resident hunting license.

Do hogs and deer compete for the same food?
Yes. Both rely on acorns, crops, and corn feeders. Hogs often outcompete deer.

Are there bag limits on feral hogs?
No. Hogs can be taken year-round with no limits.

Related Resources

Final Thoughts

Texas hunters face a unique challenge: managing deer while battling the nation’s largest feral hog population. The two issues are inseparable, ignoring hogs can ruin an entire deer season.

The Boar Blanket offers landowners and hunters a proven solution: a portable, one-person net trap that captures whole sounders without the need for tech, power, or large crews.

If you’re serious about protecting your land and your deer season, the Boar Blanket is your best ally.