Yes. To hunt wild quail in Texas, you need a valid hunting license plus an Upland Game Bird Endorsement, and proof of Hunter Education if you were born on or after September 2, 1971. This applies to residents and non-residents alike, on private land and public land. A resident license runs $25, and the endorsement is $7.
The part that trips people up is the endorsement; a base hunting license by itself doesn’t cover quail. Get the license, add the endorsement, sort your Hunter Education if it applies to you, and you’re legal from the first flush. Here’s exactly what you need, what it costs, and how out-of-state hunters should handle it.
Key Takeaways
- A base hunting license doesn’t cover quail on its own; you also need the Upland Game Bird Endorsement ($7).
- A resident hunting license is $25; a non-resident general license is $315, and a 5-day non-resident small-game option is $48.
- Anyone born on or after September 2, 1971, must carry proof of Hunter Education while hunting.
- Licenses can be bought in person or online, with digital delivery to your phone (a $5 fee applies to online/phone orders).
- The license year runs September 1 to August 31, and annual licenses go on sale around August 15.
- Fees can change each license year; confirm current pricing with Texas Parks & Wildlife before you buy.
What Makes a License Valid for Quail Hunting
A hunting license on its own doesn’t authorize you to hunt quail. Three pieces have to come together:
- A valid hunting license in South Texas – the base license for the current season.
- An Upland Game Bird Endorsement – a $7 add-on required specifically for quail, pheasant, chachalaca, and turkey. It’s not optional for quail.
- Proof of Hunter Education – required for anyone born on or after September 2, 1971, carried while hunting.
Miss any one of these, and you’re not legally covered, even on private land with the landowner’s blessing. Quail is a game bird, so unlike feral hogs, the license and endorsement apply whether you’re on public or private ground.
How to Get a Hunting License Before Quail Season Starts
Most hunters finish the whole process in one stop. A license retailer, sporting-goods store, or Texas Parks & Wildlife office can issue a license on the spot; bring a valid photo ID and be ready to answer basic residency questions. If you were born on or after September 2, 1971, bring proof of Hunter Education too. Add the Upland Game Bird Endorsement in the same visit, and you’re set.
Timing helps: annual licenses go on sale around August 15, and every annual license runs through August 31 of the following year, so a license bought in late August is only good for about a month before it expires. Buy at the start of the license year, not the tail end, to get the full season out of it.
Know More about season dates for wild quail hunting here: Wild Quail Hunting Season in Texas 2026-2027: Dates & What to Expect
How to Get Your Hunting License Online
If you’d rather skip the drive, you can buy a Texas hunting license online through TPWD’s official portal, with digital delivery straight to your phone. The whole thing takes about fifteen minutes if you have your ID and Hunter Education number on hand.
Create a TPWD account or sign in, choose your license type, add the Upland Game Bird Endorsement, and check out. One thing to budget for: Texas adds a $5 administrative fee to each online or phone transaction. Digital licenses are accepted in the field, though a paper backup is smart for areas with no cell signal.
How Much does a hunting license in South Texas cost?
For quail, your cost is the base license plus the $7 Upland Game Bird Endorsement. Here’s the 2026–2027 fee picture for the licenses quail hunters actually use:
Online and phone orders add a $5 administrative fee. Quail hunters don’t need a federal duck stamp; that’s a waterfowl requirement only. Fees are set by Texas Parks & Wildlife and can change each license year, so confirm current pricing at TPWD before you buy.
Non-Resident Hunting License Requirements
Out-of-state hunters follow a different license structure than residents, and it’s worth sorting out before travel plans lock in. Two options cover most quail trips:
- Non-resident 5-day special hunting license ($48) – built for short small-game trips, quail included. For a long weekend hunt, this is usually the smart, lower-cost choice.
- Non-resident general hunting license ($315) – for longer stays or hunters chasing a broader mix of game across the season.
Either way, you still add the $7 Upland Game Bird Endorsement on top to hunt quail. Note that the resident Super Combo packages aren’t available to non-residents.
This is where booking with an experienced outfitter helps. At Lopez Ranch Properties, we work with out-of-state hunters constantly and can help you confirm which license category fits your trip before you ever arrive.
What Else You Need for Quail Hunting in Texas
Beyond the license and endorsement, two things round out your planning:
Quail season dates. For 2026–2027, Texas quail season runs statewide from November 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027, with a daily bag limit of 15 quail. Season dates are set by Texas Parks & Wildlife and can shift year to year, so confirm the current dates before booking travel.
Hunter Education. Anyone born on or after September 2, 1971 must complete an approved Hunter Education course and carry proof afield. It’s a one-time certification, and there are online and deferred options if you’re short on time before a hunt.
Hunt Wild Quail With Us at Lopez Ranch Properties
Once your license and endorsement are squared away, the fun part is choosing where to hunt, and we’d love to have you out. Lopez Ranch Properties is a family-owned ranch spanning more than 10,000 acres of well-managed South Texas brush country, and our guided quail hunts put you on wild birds behind seasoned pointing dogs, without the guesswork of scouting unfamiliar public land.
Our guides handle the logistics, season timing, land access, and dog work, so you can focus on the walk and the flush. Beyond wild quail hunts, the ranch also runs guided dove hunts and helicopter hog hunts, so a group can build a whole South Texas trip around the season and their own schedule. For groups staying over, there’s a comfortable lodge and home-style meals.
One thing to know as you plan: our guided hunts run for groups, with a minimum of 4 hunters per hunt. Put your group together and reach out early; the best dates book fast.
Conclusion
Getting licensed to hunt quail in Texas comes down to three pieces: a valid hunting license, the Upland Game Bird Endorsement, and Hunter Education proof if it applies to you. For a resident, that’s about $32 all in; for a visiting hunter, a 5-day license plus the endorsement runs around $55. Whether you’re a Texas resident or traveling in for the season, handling it before hunt day means one less thing to think about once you’re in the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do you need a license to hunt quail in Texas?
Yes. You need a valid Texas hunting license plus an Upland Game Bird Endorsement, and Hunter Education proof if you were born on or after September 2, 1971. This applies to both private and public land.
2. What is an Upland Game Bird Endorsement, and how much is it? It’s a required $7 add-on for hunting quail, pheasant, chachalaca, or turkey in Texas. It sits on top of your base license and isn’t optional for quail.
3. How much does a hunting license cost in Texas?
For 2026–27, a resident hunting license is $25 and a non-resident general license is $315. A 5-day non-resident small-game license is $48. Add the $7 quail endorsement. Online orders add a $5 fee.
4. Can I buy a hunting license for quail hunt online?
Yes. TPWD’s official portal issues digital licenses to your phone in about fifteen minutes if you have your ID and Hunter Education number ready. A $5 administrative fee applies to online and phone orders.
5. Do non-residents need a different license to hunt quail?
Yes. Non-residents use either the 5-day special license ($48) for short trips or the general non-resident license ($315), plus the $7 Upland Game Bird Endorsement. Resident Super Combo packages aren’t available to non-residents.
6. Does a hunting license cover quail hunting on private ranch land?
Yes, and it’s still required. For quail, a landowner’s permission doesn’t replace the license, endorsement, or Hunter Education requirement, unlike the feral-hog exemption.
7. When does quail hunting season in South Texas start?
For 2026–27, quail season runs statewide from November 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027, with a 15-bird daily bag limit. Confirm current dates with TPWD before you travel.