Rifles are allowed in Texas.

I've shot a turkey with my rifle before. It was in the fall and the darn thing just wouldn't leave me alone and finally stood there with it's neck outstreched at 30 yards away from my blind and I shot it in the neck with my 7mm Rem Mag. Nearly took it's head off, but not quite. Didn't ruin any meat.

Texas also does not have a flourescent orange requirement during rifle deer hunting season.

In 2008 in Texas there were 6 fatal hunting accidents with over 1 million licenses sold. That is actually almost double the average for Texas, but I think it is really amazingly low compared to the number of licenses sold. None of the accidents related to failure to identify a target, they were all careless or even self inflicted accidents relating to just plain poor gun handling and safety.

Here's the report - pretty interesting reading - http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publicat..._1124_2008.pdf

P.S. - It is illegal to shoot a turkey off a roost in Texas.

P.S.S. - I don't hunt Turkey with a rifle in the Spring in Texas even tough it is legal. I think I will let my son start Turkey hunting with a .22 Magnum when he gets old enough though, it will be a lot easier on him than a 20 gauge with Turkey loads.