It’s that time of the year again — time to spin some Dreidels, wear bubas and kanza, put up Christmas trees, spend time with our loved ones and of course, load up our rifles. Along with the holidays comes hunting season. Hunting has been man’s right since the beginning, and here in Texas, we live by it.

Here’s what’s in season.
Rails: 9/30-12/26
Chachalaca: 11/3-12/26
Clapper Rails: 11/3-12/26
Purple Gallinules: 11/3-12/26
Turkey: 11/3-1/20
White Tailed Deer: 11/3-1/20
Jacksnipe: 11/3-2/17
Pheasant: 12/1-30
Woodcock: 12/8-1/31
Dove: 12/22-1/6

There’s many things to hunt, but not very many places so heres the five closest to Austin.

Granger WMA (Unit #709) – 10,888 acres
Somerville WMA (Unit #711) – 3,180 acres
Nails Creek Unit – Lake Somerville SP (Unit #1121) – 350 acres
Luminant Texas (Unit #607) – 1,071 acres
Mason Mountain WMA (Unit #749) – 533 acres
(the unit numbers all relate to Texas Parks & Wildlife’s website)

Hunting is a Texas tradition for me and my father, and we have been going out many years. I’ve learned many lessons.

Always listen to your parents or the Game Warden.
Stick together if you’re walking.
Open all windows in a blind so you’re prepared and won’t blow your ears out when you fire.
Anticipate a running animal.
Never fire unless you know you’ve got it
Leave dead animals for a while. The fresh smell will attract predators.
Be careful.
Always be patient.

(information credit: Texas Parks & Wildlife)