Can you hunt bobcats in Texas? With a population of roughly 200,000 bobcats, Texas is one of the best states to hunt these elusive predators. A few Federal and State laws apply, so make sure you check for updates and changes before making your first stand.
There is no closed season on bobcats in Texas, but a valid hunting license is required. Bobcats may be hunted at any time by any lawful means on private property. Public hunting lands may have restrictions.
Purchase a Texas hunting license here.
Check out all Texas hunting seasons.
Related: Learn three vital tips for hunting bobcats here.
Related: Check out this article on the laws for hunting coyotes in Texas.
Related: Check out this article on the laws for hunting fox in Texas.
General rules that apply when you hunt bobcats in Texas.
Pelt sealing is required.
Bobcat pelts sold, purchased, traded, transported, or shipped out of state must have a pelt tag (CITES) attached. A pelt tag must be attached before being transported or shipped out of this state. You can get a pelt tag from any permitted bobcat pelt dealer or TPWD Regional & Field Law Enforcement Offices.
Is it legal to hunt bobcats in Texas at night?
Bobcat hunting at night is legal. If hunting at night, please get in touch with your local game warden as a courtesy.
Electronic callers. All mouth, hand, and electronic callers are legal to use when hunting bobcats in Texas.
Lights, night vision, infrared, and thermal riflescopes. Use of these devices is legal, where night hunting is permitted.
Related: What is a perfect night vision riflescope for bobcat hunting at night?
Related: A review of the ATN Thor 4 thermal riflescope.
Can you shoot a bobcat in your yard in Texas that is destroying property?
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Biologist Matt Reidy, ”We get calls all the time for people wanting us to trap problem predators like bobcats, but it is perfectly legal for you to hunt them yourself. You do need a Hunting License unless you are in a situation where you are defending your property.”
Related: Learn how to tell if a bobcat has been on your property by reading its sign here.
How much does it cost to hunt bobcats in Texas.
The price for a guided bobcat hunt in Texas as of today ranges from $1,500 to $2,250 per person. Prices depend on a variety of factors (accommodations, number of hunting days).
You can check a few services with published prices online here:
Please note: There is no relationship between these services as Thepredatorhunter.com.
What are the legal firearms you may use to hunt bobcats in Texas?
Rimfire Ammunition (of any caliber) may NOT be used to hunt white-tailed deer, mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, or pronghorn.
Shotguns are the only legal firearm that may be used during spring Eastern turkey season.
Magazine Capacity (number of shells/cartridges allowed): there are no restrictions on the number of shells or cartridges a legal firearm may hold when hunting game animals or game birds (except migratory game birds).
Muzzleloaders: muzzleloader deer seasons are restricted to muzzleloading firearms only: any firearm designed such that a bullet/ projectile and powder can be loaded only through the muzzle (as opposed to breech-loading firearms). A cap and ball firearm in which the powder and ball are loaded into a cylinder is not a muzzleloader.
Suppressors (aka “silencers” ): may be used to take any wildlife resource; however, all federal, state, and local laws continue to apply.
Is it legal to use air guns when hunting bobcats in Texas?
Air Guns and Arrow Guns
Alligator, game animals, furbearers, squirrels, and non-migratory game birds (except eastern turkey) may be hunted with air guns and arrow guns provided:
- alligators, bighorn sheep, javelina, mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, and turkey (except eastern turkey) may be taken only with pre-charged pneumatic arrow guns, or pre-charged pneumatic air guns.
- pre-charged pneumatic air guns must fire a projectile of at least .30 caliber in diameter and at least 150 grains in weight with a minimum muzzle velocity of 800 feet per second or any combination of bullet weight and muzzle velocity that produces muzzle energy of at least 215 foot pounds of energy.
- squirrels, pheasant, quail, and chachalaca may be hunted with air guns that fire a projectile of at least .177 caliber (4.5mm) in diameter producing a muzzle velocity of at least 600 feet per second.
- arrows or bolts used with an arrow gun must conform to the same standards for projectiles for archery.
- arrow guns may not be used to hunt deer or turkey during archery season.