Want to Hunt More? Here’s How Youth Hunters Can Find More Opportunities Outside Our Program
At the Texas Youth Hunting Program (TYHP), we know firsthand how passionate our youth hunters are—and how disappointing it can be when you’re not selected for a hunt. One great way to increase your chances of getting outdoors this season is by exploring youth hunting opportunities through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) as well.
Do you know about the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) draw hunts?
Draw Hunts: A Great Resource for Youth Hunters
Each year, TPWD offers a wide range of public hunting opportunities through their online draw system. There are youth-only categories for species like deer, hogs, exotics, and even alligator. These hunts offer excellent chances for success—especially if you apply strategically. Get started by reading the FAQ page.
In fact, many youth hunters have found that TPWD draw hunts offer better odds and more flexibility than they expected. The key? Do your homework.
✅ Apply for multiple hunts across different regions
✅ Prioritize Youth Only categories
✅ Use TPWD’s Public Hunt Drawing Statistics to find hunts with high selection or success rates
You can view past reports and get a feel for which locations historically have better odds by visiting:
🔗 TPWD Public Hunt Drawing Statistics
Standby Hunts: A Smart Backup Plan
Didn’t get drawn? Don’t give up—standby hunts are a powerful Plan B.
Standby means showing up the day of the hunt and hoping for a no-show or unfilled spot—and for many youth, this has paid off big time. According to the 2023-24 TPWD Harvest Summary:
- Some hunts had 100% standby success rates
- Youth Gun Deer hunts at places like James Daughtrey WMA filled every standby slot
If you’re flexible and ready to go at a moment’s notice, standby is an underused but highly effective strategy to get your boots in the field.
Here’s how to make standby work for you:
- Read the rules to understand how standby works!
- Review the Harvest Summary to find sites with strong standby histories
- Show up early and prepared—gear in hand, ready to hunt
A Final Note
While these hunts are incredible opportunities, they’re not like TYHP events. TPWD hunts are self-guided—you and your adult sponsor are expected to know the rules, bring your own gear, and hunt independently. But with a little preparation and a lot of enthusiasm, they’re a great next step in your hunting journey.
So don’t wait. Head over to TPWD to learn all about drawn hunts—and keep standby in your back pocket as a powerful second chance.
Your next hunting adventure is out there. Go find it!