You can hunt squirrels in Texas, but the rules shift depending on county and season. Some counties set open seasons and bag limits, while others let you hunt year-round with no bag limit. It’s important to check which rules apply before you grab your gear.
This article walks you through the exact dates, bag limits, and youth-only seasons for wherever you’re planning to hunt. You’ll also get a sense of which squirrel species show up in Texas and what hunting methods and traditions people actually use, so you can plan a safe and legal outing.
Texas Squirrel Season Dates and Regulations
You can hunt squirrels in a lot of Texas counties for most of the year, but the rules change depending on where you are. Make sure you know the dates, bag limits, and license requirements for your hunting spot.
When Squirrel Season Starts and Ends in Different Regions
East Texas counties have two open windows: May 1–31 and October 1 through the last Sunday in February. These dates cover 51 East Texas counties that use the spring-and-fall setup.
Most other Texas counties allow squirrel hunting September 1 through August 31, so it’s pretty much year-round for those areas.
Double-check your county before you go out. County rules change, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department posts updated maps and schedules online. For the official season dates and county list, check the TPWD page on squirrel seasons and regulations.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits Explained
In counties with closed seasons (East Texas), you can take 10 squirrels per day, and you can have up to 20 squirrels in your possession. That means you’re allowed to carry twice your daily limit at any one time.
Count squirrels from both gray and fox species toward your daily limit if it applies. Keep your harvested squirrels labeled and secure in case a game warden stops you.
Counties open year-round don’t have a bag limit for squirrels. Still, you need to follow safe and legal hunting practices.
License Requirements for Texas Squirrel Hunters
You’ll need a valid Texas hunting license to hunt squirrels. Texas offers annual resident, nonresident, and short-term licenses. Some hunters under a certain age can get youth permits or exemptions.
Landowners hunting on their own property sometimes get different rules, but you need to verify if that applies to you. Always keep your license with you while hunting and be ready to show ID.
You can buy licenses and view permit types on the TPWD website or at approved vendors. Make sure you have any required stamps or endorsements before you head out.
Youth-Only Seasons and Special County Regulations
Some East Texas counties run a youth-only weekend in late September (dates change each year). During these youth-only events, only eligible youth and their supervising adults can hunt squirrels. The bag limit for youth season is the same as the regular limit (10 in closed-season counties).
Certain counties have unique rules or year-round status, so read the county-specific regulations before you hunt. Local rules might impact season length, allowed equipment, or age restrictions.
For county-specific youth dates and special rules, check the TPWD county regulations page and contact your local game warden for the latest info.
Squirrel Species, Hunting Methods, and Traditions in Texas
Here’s what you need to know about which squirrels you can hunt, what gear actually works, where you’re allowed to hunt, and a few tips on how folks in Texas use squirrel meat. Let’s get into the details.
Game and Nongame Squirrel Species: What’s Legal to Hunt
Texas lists two tree squirrel species as game: the gray squirrel and the fox (red) squirrel. You can hunt these with a license in counties that have open seasons. They usually hang out in hardwoods and oak-pine forests, so those are the spots to scout.
Flying squirrels and most ground squirrels aren’t considered game animals in many places, and sometimes they’re protected or have different rules. Always check your county’s regulations before hunting anything besides tree squirrels. You need to follow the season dates, bag limits, and youth-only rules in certain East Texas counties; see the Texas Parks and Wildlife rules for county specifics (https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/regs/animals/squirrel).
Best Firearms and Equipment for Texas Squirrel Hunting
If you’re after gray or fox squirrels, a .22 rimfire rifle or a shotgun with #6–#8 shot works really well. A quiet .22 helps keep things calm and gives you a clean shot at under 75 yards. If you’re hunting from a stand or blind, bring along a small binocular, rangefinder, and maybe a shooting stick or tripod for steadier shots.
Wear camo or muted colors that blend in with the oak and pine understory. Rubber-soled boots help you move quietly. Pack a small game bag, gloves, and maybe a folding saw or pruning shears for getting squirrels out of hard-to-reach branches without tearing up the trees.
Public vs. Private Land: Where You Can Hunt
You can hunt squirrels on public WMAs (Wildlife Management Areas) that allow small-game hunting, but you’ll want to check each WMA’s rules and permit requirements first. Public land usually has its own seasons, access fees, and sometimes quotas. Hunting public land gives you legal access, and it’s often affordable, but expect to see other hunters out there.
On private land, you need written permission from the landowner. Private property can offer better access to oak ridges and food plots where squirrels concentrate. Always carry proof of permission and stick to property boundaries, parking rules, and any posted restrictions.
Traditional Dishes and Uses for Squirrel Meat in Texas
In Texas, folks use squirrel meat in all sorts of recipes. Squirrel stew shows up a lot, but you’ll also find fried squirrel and squirrel and dumplings on the menu.
Some people like to brown the pieces in a skillet first. After that, they simmer the meat with onions, carrots, and broth to make a filling stew.
Hunters often talk about limb bacon, which is just the tender meat from the upper limbs. They really go for it when pan-frying.
If you’re handling squirrel meat, make sure to field-dress it quickly and cool it down. Always cook it to at least 165°F—nobody wants to risk undercooked game.
Plenty of cooks swear by marinating the meat overnight. It seems to take the edge off that strong, gamey flavor.
You can toss squirrel into pot pies or gumbo, too. Sometimes, it even stands in for rabbit in southern recipes—honestly, it works pretty well.
