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Recreation

Find information on key laws and resources for Texans wishing to participate in outdoor recreational activities. This page provides information the state laws that govern these activities and resources. This section is not intended to be used for legal advice.

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Discounted Entry to State Parks

(Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Sec. 13.018)

  • Allows the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department the ability to issue a State Parklands Passport to certain qualifying Texans including individuals with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
  • For people with disabilities, the passport will entitle a person and a companion to a 50% discount of the entry fee rounded up to the next dollar.
  • To qualify for a disability passport, they must present a photo identification and an award letter from the Social Security Administration which states that you are permanently disabled, vehicle registration document showing that the applicant has received a disability license plate within the last year, permanent disability placard issued within the last four years, or a statement signed by a licensed medical professional attesting the applicant has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits at least one major life activity.

Adaptive Hunting

Crossbows for Deer or Turkey Hunting (Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Sec. 43.201)
Hunting License for Veterans with Disabilities (Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Sec. 42.012)
Legally Blind Hunters(Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Sec. 62.0055)
Hunters with Physical Disabilities (Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Sec. 62.0056)

  • Hunters with upper limb disabilities, with a required archery hunting stamp,may use crossbows when hunting deer or turkey in counties that do not allow hunting with a firearm.
  • Hunting license fees are waived for veterans with a 50% or greater disability rating.
  • Hunters who are legally blind may use a laser sighting device when assisted by a licensed person without a disability and is at least 13 years old.
  • Hunters with a documented physical disability that renders the person incapable of using a traditional firearm sighting device are permitted to use a laser sighting device when assisted by a licensed person without a disability and is at least 13 years old.

Adaptive Fishing

Fishing License Exemptions (Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Sec. 46.002)
Legally Blind Fishers (Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Sec. 46.004)
Beach Access with Golf Cart (Natural Resources Code, Sec. 61.011(d))

  • People with a mental illness, developmental disability, or intellectual disability are allowed to fish without a license if they are engaged in recreational fishing as part of medically approved therapy or if they are under the supervision of a qualified person with a fishing license.
  • Blind residents are eligible for reduced fees or waived fishing license requirements.
  • Use of a golf cart on public beaches is allowed for the transportation of Texans with a physical disability regardless of a local government's prohibitions.

Resources

Federal Laws