General deer season opens Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026 across East Texas. Before you head to the lease, here are the dates and rules for our area, plus one small favor: keep your empty corn bags and trash in the truck, not on the highway.
Key dates for 2026-27
These are the white-tailed deer dates Texas Parks and Wildlife lists for Polk County. Angelina, Nacogdoches, San Jacinto, Trinity and Tyler counties show the same dates.
- Archery only: Oct. 3 – Nov. 6, 2026
- Early youth-only: Oct. 30 – Nov. 1, 2026
- General season: Nov. 7, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027
- Antlerless by hunting license tag (general season): Nov. 7 – 29, 2026
- Late youth-only: Jan. 4 – 17, 2027
- Muzzleloader: Jan. 4 – 17, 2027
Hunting in another county? Check that county’s page before you go. Dates and limits can differ.
Bag limits and the rules
For Polk and the neighboring counties listed above, TPWD sets the bag limit at 4 deer, no more than 2 bucks and no more than 2 antlerless, all seasons combined. These counties have antler restrictions. A legal buck has at least one unbranched antler or an inside spread of 13 inches or greater, and only one of your two bucks may have a 13-inch or greater spread.
In Angelina, Nacogdoches, San Jacinto and Trinity counties, TPWD lists no antlerless harvest on National Forest Service property during the general season. If your property has MLDP tags, different rules apply, so ask your landowner.
- Your county’s rules: TPWD Outdoor Annual, Polk County (pick your county from the same site)
- Statewide season dates: 2026-2027 Hunting Season Dates
- Hunter education: Every hunter born on or after Sept. 2, 1971 must complete a hunter education course, and you need proof on you while hunting. Hunters 17 and older can get a one-time deferral. Details at TPWD Hunter Education.
- Licenses: Buy online at TPWD License Sales or anywhere hunting licenses are sold. Bow hunters also need the archery endorsement.
Secure your load
Opening weekend means a lot of trucks and trailers on US 59, US 190 and every farm road in between. An empty corn bag weighs almost nothing. At highway speed it does not stay in the bed.
- Put empty feed and corn bags in a closed tote, a cab, or a trash bag tied down.
- Strap down feeders, feeder legs, blinds and stands. Loose parts on the road are a hazard for the driver behind you.
- Bag your food wrappers, cans and drink bottles before you leave camp.
- Do a quick walk-around of the truck bed and trailer before you pull out.
It is also the law. According to Don’t mess with Texas, failing to cover your pickup truck load carries a fine of up to $200 for a first offense and $500 for repeat offenders. Littering trash of five pounds or less can bring a fine of up to $500, and repeat offenses can mean up to $2,000 and 180 days in jail.
Local groups and businesses adopt stretches of East Texas highway and help keep them clean. See who is doing the work on our Clean Roads page.
Local help
Local hunting businesses in our directory. Call ahead to confirm hours and what they handle.
- Fleming’s Taxidermy – Pointblank
- CW Taxidermy – Pointblank
- Dr. Deer’s Whitetail World – Nacogdoches
Own a deer processor, feed store or outdoor shop in East Texas? List your business so hunters can find you.
Season dates and limits are from the TPWD Outdoor Annual as of Oct. 7, 2026. Always check the official page for your county before you hunt.