Hunter Education Course

Every hunter (including out-of-state hunters) born on or after September 2, 1971, must successfully complete a Hunter Education Training Course.
• Proof of certification or deferral is required to be on your person while hunting.
• Minimum age of certification is 9 years.
• Single-day in-person course cost is $15.
• Persons 17 years of age and older have the option of taking the course in person or online.
• The cost of an approved online course varies by provider.
• Call (800) 792-1112 or visit the TPWD Hunter Education webpage for information about various course options.

If you are:
• under 9 years of age, you must be accompanied.
• age 9 through 16, you must successfully complete a hunter education course or be accompanied.
• age 17 and over, you must successfully complete a hunter education course; or purchase a “Hunter Education Deferral” and be accompanied. “Accompanied” means: By a person (resident or non-resident) who is at least 17, who is licensed to hunt in Texas, who has passed hunter education or is exempt (born before Sept. 2, 1971), and within normal voice control.

Hunter Education Deferral - $10
Allows a person 17 years of age or older who has not completed a hunter education program to defer completion for up to a year. A deferral may only be obtained once and is only valid until the end of the current license year. A person who has been convicted or has received deferred adjudication for violation of the mandatory hunter education requirement is prohibited from applying for a deferral.

Note: Certification is not required to purchase a hunting license.
Bowhunter Education: Certification is required on the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, Pottsboro. Bowhunter education does not substitute for Hunter Education certification.

For further course information, please consult TPWD Hunter Education or call toll-free (800) 792-1112 (menu 6) or call (512) 389-4999.

Photo courtesy TPWD Hunter Education

Author: Tom Behrens

Tom Behrens has over 50 years experience in fishing and hunting across the United States. Much of this time was spent in Oklahoma and Texas where he became very familiar with the outdoor opportunities in these states. You may contact him by email at: [email protected]

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Lake Texoma Current Weather Alerts

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Lake Texoma Weather Forecast

Tuesday

Sunny

Hi: 82

Tuesday Night

Mostly Clear

Lo: 70

Wednesday

Slight Chance Thunderstorms

Hi: 85

Wednesday Night

Mostly Clear

Lo: 64

Thursday

Partly Sunny

Hi: 74

Thursday Night

Mostly Clear

Lo: 58

Friday

Mostly Sunny

Hi: 73

Friday Night

Partly Cloudy

Lo: 56

Extended Weather Forecast

Lake Texoma Water Level (last 30 days)

Water Level on 5/7: 622.84 (+5.84)

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Lake Texoma

Fishing Report from TPWD (May 1)

GOOD. Water normal stain; 67 degrees; 0.33 feet below pool. Striped bass fishing is great on top waters early along rocky shorelines and sandy flats around coves. Watch for birds on the banks and fish the direction the birds are moving up and down the rocks. Live bait is still very effective fishing ledges and humps near the river channels in 35-45 feet of water. The shad spawn is on and catching will only get better. Crappie fishing is good near boat docks and on structure also using electronics to locate roaming fish in 12-15 feet of water. Glo and milk are colors of choice with a crappie nibble tip. Seeing females in the creeks 2-5 feet of water as well. Catfishing is getting better on cut shad and prepared baits anchored on ledges in 40-50 feet of water a few reels off the bottom near rocky banks. Slip cork with a cut shad down the bluffs are producing channel cats preparing to spawn as well. Bass fishing is good using top waters early, spooks or closed face glide baits and fish crawl baits later. Fish are roaming near the beds and hitting white chatter baits as well. Live shad down the bluffs are producing numbers with the occasional big fish off the rocks in 5-8 feet of water. Report by Jacob Orr, Guaranteed Guide Service Lake Texoma. Hybrid stripers are excellent with limits coming on topwaters along the bank early in the morning watching for Egrets. Then switch to swimbaits on flats and points in 10-20 feet of water. Shad are spawning along the banks. Report by John Blasingame, Adventure Texoma Outdoors.

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