AUSTIN – Big Time Texas Hunts is kicking off a new season with 10 premium guided hunting packages that offer some of the very best hunting opportunities in Texas, including a new chance to harvest a Barbary Sheep in the Trans-Pecos region.
In addition to its annual offerings, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has added several new categories to the conservation fundraiser. New this year: the Trans-Pecos Aoudad Adventure, a challenging hunt for a full-grown male ram in the Chihuahuan Desert in the fabled Trans-Pecos region of Texas.
“Now in our 28th year, we are extremely pleased to continue to offer hunters unique hunting opportunities at affordable prices while raising important funds for conservation,” said Janis Johnson, TPWD marketing manager.
Also new this year is Jesse Griffiths, celebrated wild game chef, hunter and author of three hunting books, who will be participating in the Big Time Bird Hunt. Griffiths will spice things up by leading the turkey hunt and giving the winner a private cooking lesson.
The Big Time Bird Hunt consists of three bird hunts at three locations. These include two afternoons of dove hunting with three guests, a goose and duck hunt with three guests, and a three- to five-day turkey hunt with one guest.
Among the most popular hunts in this year’s drawing is the Texas Grand Slam, which gives one lucky winner four different big game hunts: desert bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer and pronghorn, and desert mule deer. Another popular hunt, the Exotic Safari, offers the winner and a guest the opportunity to hunt oryx and sable antelope in the Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area.
The Ultimate Mule Deer Hunt offers a three to five day hunt for adult mule deer in the Texas Panhandle.
Big Time Texas Hunt participants have helped raise more than $21.3 million for wildlife research, habitat protection and public hunting access over 27 years. The 2023-24 hunting season raised more than $1.3 million and was the fourth consecutive year with revenue over $1 million.
Conservation efforts funded by Big Time Texas Hunts include reintroducing desert bighorn sheep to West Texas, controlling brushland on thousands of acres across the state to protect species such as mule deer, pronghorn and quail, and several grassland restoration projects.
Public hunting efforts include funding numerous public hunting leases and purchasing hunting equipment, such as Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible tree stands for several wildlife refuges.
“Revenue from the sale of BTTH entries covers the cost of next year’s hunts, provides funds for wildlife habitat work and improves the quality of public hunts across the state,” said Kevin Mote, program director for the Division of Private Lands and Public Hunting.
Big Time Texas Hunts entries are available online for $9 each, at license dealers, or by phone at 800-895-4248 for $10 each. The deadline for entries is October 15, and winners will be announced within two weeks.
