When licenses for the new license year (September 1, 2014 -August 31, 2015) go on sale on August 15, purchase a $48 Annual Public Hunting (APH) Permit in addition to your hunting license, and you can have walk-in hunting access to over 1 million acres of land in 200 different areas of the state, including approximately 140 special dove and small game hunting units. Set your sights on deer, dove, feral hogs, quail, squirrel, turkey, waterfowl, and other game.

Many people don’t know about this do-it-yourself part of the public hunting program. For the entire license year, permit holders can go anywhere that is open to hunt species in season. That includes all small-game leases on private lands, many wildlife management areas, U.S. Forest Service lands, and also some state parks.

Walk-in hunting requires a little more planning and effort than drawn hunts: Look at the map booklet, figure out where you want to go and scout it. For an idea of what to expect, see the map of Public Hunting Lands from the current hunting season (September 2, 2013-August 31, 2014). You'll find clear maps with directions on how to get there, when you can go, what firearms you can use and what game you can harvest.

Youth under age 17 hunt free with a permitted adult. Permit holders are provided a Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands listing available areas, facilities, maps, rules, and schedules.

APH Permits can be purchased for the new season beginning August 15 at TPWD law enforcement offices, at license vendors, by calling 1-800-TX-LIC-4U, or online.