Texas Porch
Turkey Hunting Practical

Turkey season in Ellis County only applies west of I-35

Ellis County The Great Outdoors

I-35 runs through Ellis County from north to south. TPWD uses that highway as a boundary line for turkey hunting regulations. If your property or lease is west of I-35, you may hunt turkey during the appropriate season. East of I-35, turkey season does not apply in Ellis County.

This boundary matters if you are scouting a lease or buying rural land. Check the TPWD Outdoor Annual for Ellis County each year before buying a hunting license for turkey, because regulations can change. The county's deer and dove rules are not split by the interstate.

Content last revised 2026-07-11

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More stories and useful context near Ellis County

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Stories & local character

Cotton farming once made Ellis County a powerhouse in Texas agriculture

When the Houston and Texas Central Railroad arrived in 1872, Ellis County shifted from cattle range to one of Texas's top cotton-producing counties.

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Practical

Deer hunters in Ellis County face specific antler rules

Ellis County is under Texas antler restriction rules, which limit how many large-antlered bucks a hunter can take in a season.

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I-35E is the main artery through Ellis County — and it can get congested

Interstate 35E runs north-south through Ellis County and is the primary route for commuters traveling to and from the Dallas area.

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Practical

TPWD public hunting land is limited in Ellis County — know your options

Public hunting land is limited in Ellis County. Most hunters use private leases, but a TPWD Annual Public Hunting Permit opens access to areas across Texas.

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Place pages in Ellis County

AlmaBardwellCedar HillEnnisFerrisGarrett

Nearby county shelves

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