Public Land vs. Private Land: Navigating Deep East Texas Hog Hunting Regulations

Hunting is a big deal for Deep East Texas. We tend to find ourselves counting down the days until each season ends. And as soon as one comes to a close, we find ourselves counting down until the next one opens.

Everyone knows that - in general - you have to have a license to hunt. However, there are some animals that there seems to be a grey area of whether you actually need a license or not. One of those grey areas revolves around hogs. Do you need a license to hunt them? The fact is that it truly does depend on where you are standing. Let me clear that up a bit for you.

Is It Legal to Hunt Hogs Without a License in Deep East Texas?

The short answer is, yes, it is legal to hunt hogs without a license - here's the catch - as long as you're on private property with the property owner's consent. According to a 2019 press release from Texas Parks & Wildlife, SB 317 was signed into law that year that "exempts any person (resident or nonresident), with landowner consent, from a hunting license requirement to hunt feral hogs."

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However, that law only applies to hunting hogs on private property. If you're hunting on public land, the requirements are different.

Hunting Hogs on Public Land in Deep East Texas

If you are hunting hogs on public land, you are still required to have a valid Texas Parks & Wildlife hunting license, just like you would if you were hunting for any other animal.

READ MORE: Texas Offers Lifetime Hunting & Fishing Licenses for Outdoorsmen

So, there you have it. The laws behind hunting hogs in Deep East Texas are a bit greyer than, say, hunting deer. But it really does depend on where you're standing as to what the law is.