Secret Spots for Public Hunts 265 places to hunt you never knew existed.
By Larry D. Hodge, Kimberly Tilley and Garland Levit
I have the best hunting lease in Texas. It includes coastal marshes, South Texas brush country, Big Bend mountains, Pineywoods forests and Panhandle plains. On it I’ve hunted squirrels, rabbits, ducks, white-tailed deer, mule deer, geese, feral hogs, Rio Grande turkeys, eastern turkeys, mourning doves, white-winged doves, bobwhite quail, scaled quail and chachalacas. So far I’ve passed on hunts for alligators, furbearers, woodcock, snipe and bullfrogs, but I’m thinking about them.
You may be surprised that most of my hunts take place on public land.
Texas is 94 percent privately owned, but the opportunities for hunting on public land are rich and abundant. Besides 50-plus wildlife management areas owned or operated by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, hunting is available on more than 70 tracts owned by the Texas General Land Office, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service and a number of other government agencies and private entities. In addition, TPWD annually leases approximately 150 public dove hunting areas from private landowners. In all, more than 1.5 million acres are open to public hunting.
Hunting on public land appeals to me for a number of reasons. The most important is the challenge. It’s difficult to bow hunt bucks in the scant cover around Lake Amistad or figure out the flight paths of doves on a sorghum field in South Texas you are seeing for the first time. However, when I succeed in bagging game under such conditions, I feel I’ve earned the right to do so.
Hunting on public land also enables me to hunt in many different parts of the state. I love scrambling up rocky Big Bend canyon walls in pursuit of scaled quail as much as I enjoy talking turkey with an eastern gobbler in a pine forest.
Low cost is also an attraction. The $40 Annual Public Hunting Permit from TPWD is all you need for access to most lands. Hunting is free on other public lands, while some agencies charge a small fee. The chart below gives the details. This chart does not include lands in TPWD wildlife management areas or public dove hunting areas. Purchasers of the Annual Public Hunting Permit receive a map book showing these lands. The WMAs are discussed in detail in the book Official Guide to Texas Wildlife Management Areas, available from the University of Texas Press by calling (800) 252-3206. The list below includes areas not covered in any TPWD publication.
If you have a hunting lease on private land but have itchy feet and would like to hunt more places and more kinds of game than can be found there, public land is for you, too. For less than the price of dinner and a movie you can add thousands of acres to your hunting lease – and untold amounts of fun to your hunting season.
Amistad National Recreation Area
National Park Service HCR 3, Box 5J Highway 90 West Del Rio, TX 78840 Phone: (830) 775-6722 Web site: www.nps.gov/amis County: Val Verde Acreage: 3,000 Permit required: Free annual permit, by mail or in person Game: Doves, ducks, rabbits, turkeys, deer, quail, javelina, mouflon sheep Special regulations: Shotgun for doves, quail and ducks; archery only for deer, javelina, turkey, rabbits, mouflon sheep. Weapons must be unloaded and cased during transport.
Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 278 Anahuac, TX 77514 Phone: (409) 267-3337 County: Chambers Acreage: 34,000 Permit required: Free general permit may be obtained via phone, mail or in person; $10 fee for some areas. Permits must be obtained in person on the day of the hunt. Game: Waterfowl Special regulations: All shotguns must be unloaded and cased while in transit. Hunters entering by boat must have an Anahuac NWR annual permit. General permit must be carried at all times during hunt.
Angelina National Forest
111 Walnut Ridge Road Zavalla, TX 75980 Phone: (936) 897-1068 County: Jasper, San Augustine, Angelina, Nacogdoches Acreage: 150,000 Permit required: Annual Public Hunting Permit in wildlife management area only; antlerless deer permits by drawing. Game: Deer, feral hogs, eastern turkeys, waterfowl, squirrels, rabbits, quail, doves Special regulations: Part of the forest is within the Bannister WMA, and Public Hunting Lands Program regulations apply there.
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 100 Austwell, TX 77950 Phone: (361) 286-3559 County: Aransas Acreage: 35,000 (archery); 25,000 (firearms) Permit required: Gun permits by lottery, $100; 500 archery permits on first-come, first-served basis, $50 Game: White-tailed deer, feral hogs Special regulations: No baiting, no alcohol
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
10711 Burnet Road, Ste. 201 Austin, TX 78758 Phone: (512) 339-9432, ext. 42 (512) 339-9453 (fax) County: Travis, Williamson, Burnet Acreage: 41,000 Permit required: $15 for dove hunts in September, $50 for deer/turkey hunts Game: Deer, feral hogs, bearded turkeys Special regulations: Hunters must be at least 12 years old. Game must be taken to a check station. Scouting before hunts is permitted.
Bardwell Lake
4000 Observation Drive Army Corps of Engineers, Bardwell Project Office Ennis, TX 75119 Phone: (972) 875-5711 County: Ellis Acreage: 2,528 Permit required: Corps permit for feral hogs only Game: Doves, quail, rabbits, waterfowl, feral hogs, squirrels Special regulations: Feral hog hunting only permitted west of Texas 34 by archery or shotgun with slugs; no hunting within 200 yards of parks or houses; no dogs for feral hogs; permit only for feral hogs.
Belton Lake
3740 FM 1670 Belton, TX 76513 Phone: (254) 939-2461 County: Bell, Coryell Acreage: 3,900 Permit required: Corps permit for waterfowl only Game: Doves, quail, squirrels, rabbits, waterfowl Special regulations: Free waterfowl permit must be obtained at lake office. Muzzleloaders and crossbows prohibited.
Benbrook Lake
P.O. Box 26619 Fort Worth, TX 76126-0619 Phone: (817) 292-2400 County: Tarrant Acreage: 1,400 Permit required: Free Corps permit for small game; deer permits by drawing Game: Doves, quail, squirrels, rabbits, waterfowl, deer Special regulations: Archery only for deer; muzzleloaders and crossbows prohibited.
Big Boggy National Wildlife Refuge
1212 N. Velasco, Suite. 200 Angleton, TX 77515 Phone: (979) 849-6062 County: Matagorda Acreage: 4,526 Permit required: None Game: waterfowl Special regulations: No permanent blinds; hunting in designated areas only.
Big Thicket National Preserve
3785 Milam Beaumont, TX 77701 Phone: (409) 839-2689, ext. 228 County: Hardin, Jasper, Tyler, Polk Acreage: 47,400 Permit required: Obtain in person in July; first-come, first-served basis Game: Deer, squirrels, rabbits, feral hogs, waterfowl Special regulations: Display Big Thicket Hunting Permit on dash of vehicle. No centerfire weapons; no hunting within 500 feet of trails, roads or residences.
Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge
1212 N. Velasco, Suite. 200 Angleton, TX 77515 Phone: (797) 849-6062 County: Brazoria Acreage: 43,388 Permit required: None Game: Waterfowl Special regulations: No permanent blinds; hunting in designated areas only.
Canyon Lake
601 COE Road Canyon Lake, TX 78133 Phone: (830) 964-3341 County: Comal Acreage: 620 Permit required: Corps permit by drawing Game: Deer Special regulations: Archery only; proficiency test and hunter safety certification required.
Coleto Creek Reservoir
P.O. Box 68 Fannin, TX 77960 Phone: (361) 575-6366 County: Goliad, Victoria Acreage: 500 Permit required: $80, by drawing in August Game: Deer, feral hogs Special regulations: Archery only
Davy Crockett National Forest
Route 1, Box 55 FS Kennard, TX 75847 Phone: (936) 655-2299 County: Houston, Trinity Acreage: 162,012 Permit required: Antlerless permits by drawing; call (936) 639-8569 Game: Doves, quail, squirrels, rabbits, waterfowl, deer
Georgetown Lake
500 Cedar Breaks Road Georgetown, TX 78628 Phone: (512) 930-5253 County: Williamson Acreage: 1,200 Permit required: Corps permit Game: Doves, quail, squirrels, rabbits, waterfowl, deer Special regulations: Archery only for deer; proficiency test and hunter certification required for deer hunts.
Grapevine Lake
110 Fairway Drive Grapevine, TX 76051 Phone: (817) 481-4544 County: Denton Acreage: 900 Permit required: Drawings for quail, dove, feral hog and deer hunts; apply mid-July through November. Waterfowl permits first-come, first-served. Game: Doves, quail, squirrels, rabbits, waterfowl, deer, feral hogs Special regulations: Archery only for deer and feral hogs; no muzzleloaders or crossbows. All hunters must have a hunter safety course certificate.
Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge
6465 Refuge Road Sherman, TX 75092 Phone: (903) 786-2826 County: Grayson Acreage: 3,000 Permit required: Self-registration for small game hunts. Drawing for deer hunts; fee required. Game: Doves, quail, feral hogs, squirrels, rabbits, deer Special regulations: Completion of IBEP classes and score of 80 percent on IBO 3-D course required only for deer hunt.
Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 450 Rio Hondo, TX 78583 Phone: (956) 748-3607 County: Cameron Acreage: 3,000 Permit required: Obtain by mail or in person in August. $40 user fee for each hunt. Game: Deer, feral hogs, nilgai Special regulations: Archery, muzzleloader, and modern firearms hunts
Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
P.O. Box 1460 Fritch, TX 79036 Phone: (806) 857-3151 County: Potter, Moore Acreage: 40,000 Permit required: None Game: Turkeys, doves, quail, pheasants, rabbits, white-tailed deer, mule deer
Lake O’ the Pines
2669 FM 726 Jefferson, TX 75657 Phone: (903) 665-2336 County: Camp, Marion, Morris, Harrison, Upshur Acreage: 4,500 Permit required: None Game: Doves, squirrels, rabbits, waterfowl, feral hogs, deer Special regulations: Muzzleloaders and rifles are permitted. Antlerless deer may be taken during archery season only. No feral hog hunting May 15 through Aug. 31.
Lavon Lake
3375 Skyview Drive Wylie, TX 75098 Phone: (972) 442-3141 County: Collin Acreage: 6,500 Permit required: None Game: Doves, quail, squirrels, rabbits, waterfowl, feral hogs Special regulations: Archery only for feral hogs; no rifles
LBJ National Grasslands
1400 N. Hwy. US 81/US 287 P.O. Box 507 Decatur, TX 76234 Phone: (940) 627-5475 County: Wise, Montague Acreage: 20,000 Permit required: None Game: Feral hogs, deer, doves, quail, squirrels, rabbits, turkey Special regulations: Shotgun, muzzleloader and archery only
Lewisville Lake
1801 N. Mill St. Lewisville, TX 75057 Phone: (972) 434-1666 County: Denton Acreage: 8,000 Permit required: Corps permit Game: Doves, quail, squirrels, rabbits, waterfowl, feral hogs Special regulations: Archery only for feral hogs; no hunting within 600 feet of the boundary line.
Livingston Lake
P.O. Box 60 Arlington, TX 76004 Phone: (817) 467-4343 County: Polk, San Jacinto, Walker, Trinity, Houston, Madison Acreage: Varies with lake level Permit required: None Game: Waterfowl Special regulations: Hunting permitted 200 yards or more waterward from the boundary line at 131 feet mean sea-level elevation.
Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Route 2, Box 202A Alamo, TX 78516 Phone: (956) 784-7500 County: Hidalgo, Willacy Acreage: 4,000 Permit required: Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR Special Use Permit. $25 for doves; $40 for big game. Game: Deer, feral hogs, nilgai, doves Special regulations: Big game gun hunts for youths only.
McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 609 Sabine Pass, TX 77655 Phone: (409) 971-2909 County: Chambers, Jefferson Acreage: 21,000 Permit required: $10 fee for some units Game: Waterfowl Special regulations: Hunters must be off the area by 12:30 p.m.
Navarro Mills Lake
1175 FM 667 Purdon, TX 76679 Phone: (254) 578-1431 County: Hill, Navarro Acreage: 3,500 Permit required: None Game: Doves, quail, squirrels, rabbits, waterfowl, feral hogs Special regulations: Dogs may be used to hunt feral hogs only on the Hill County portion of the lake.
O.C. Fisher Lake/ASU Area
3900-2 Mercedes Ave. San Angelo, TX 76901 Phone: (915) 947-2687 County: Tom Green Acreage: 4,645 Permit required: By drawing; apply to Deer Hunt Research Project, Box 10888, ASU Station, San Angelo 76909 Game: Deer, turkeys Special regulations: Season as set by Angelo State University
Proctor Lake
2180 FM 2861 Comanche, TX 76442 Phone: (254) 879-2424 County: Comanche Acreage: 2,500 Permit required: Corps permit Game: Doves, quail, squirrels, rabbits, waterfowl
Sabine National Forest
P.O. Box 227 Hemphill, TX 75948 Phone: (409) 787-3870 (866) 235-1750 (toll-free) County: Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Newton Acreage: 160,650 Permit required: Annual Public Hunting Permit on WMA only; antlerless permits by drawing (not required during bow season); youth hunts available; call (936) 639-8569. Game: Deer, feral hogs, eastern turkeys, waterfowl, doves, squirrels, rabbits Special regulations: Part of the forest is within the Moore Plantation WMA; TPWD regulations apply there. Bag limit is one buck and two antlerless; dogs prohibited during deer season.
San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge
1212 N. Velasco, Ste. 200 Angleton, TX 77515 Phone: (979) 849-7771 County: Brazoria Acreage: 27,414 Permit required: Sargent hunt area only Game: Waterfowl Special regulations: $10 fee required for Sargent hunt area; call (979) 849-6062 for reservation. Hunters must return to check station by 12:30 p.m.
Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Route 3, Box 486 Jasper, TX 75951 Phone: (409) 384-5716 County: Angelina, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Sabine, San Augustine Acreage: 6,000 Permit required: None Game: Doves, quail, squirrels, rabbits, waterfowl, deer, feral hogs Special Regulations: Antlerless deer may be taken during archery season only. Shotguns with slugs only for deer. Except for deer hunting, shotgunners must use No. 4 shot or smaller.
Somerville Lake / COE Area
P.O. Box 549 Somerville, TX 77879 Phone: (979) 596-1622 County: Burleson, Washington Acreage: 3,000 Permit required: Fee for permanent duck blinds only; assigned by drawing Game: Waterfowl
Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir
3740 FM 1670 Belton, TX 76513 Phone: (254) 939-2461 County: Bell Acreage: 4,541 Permit required: Waterfowl only Game: Doves, quail, waterfowl Special regulations: Free waterfowl permit must be obtained from lake office; no hunting within 600 feet of boundary, parks and residential areas.
Texas Point National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 609 Sabine Pass, TX 77655 Phone: (409) 971-2909 County: Jefferson Acreage: 4,000 Permit required: Free Game: Waterfowl Special regulations: Hunters must be off the area by 12:30 p.m.
Texoma Lake U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
351 Corps Road Denison, TX 75020 Phone: (903) 465-4990 County: Cook, Grayson Acreage: 80,000 (in Texas and Oklahoma) Permit required: None Game: Quail, doves, squirrels, rabbits, deer Special regulations: Deer hunting by archery only in Grayson County
Town Bluff and B.A. Steinhagen Lake / COE Area
890 FM 92 Woodville, TX 75979 Phone: (409) 429-3491 County: Jasper, Tyler Acreage: 875 Permit required: None Game: Doves, quail, squirrels, rabbits, waterfowl, deer, feral hogs Special regulations: Hog hunting allowed only during deer season. Muzzleloaders are allowed. Does can be taken only during archery season.
Truscott Brine Lake, Area VIII
13173 CR 2631 Crowell, TX 79260 Phone: (940) 474-3293 County: Knox Acreage: 2,000 Permit required: None Game: Doves, quail, waterfowl, feral hogs Special regulations: Shotgun and archery only; no crossbows allowed.
Waco Lake
3801 Zoo Park Road Waco, TX 76708 Phone: (254) 756-5359 County: McLennan Acreage: 2,000 Permit required: Corps permit Game: Doves, squirrels, rabbits, feral hogs, waterfowl, deer, turkeys Special regulations: Computer drawing for permits; application may be obtained in lake office.
Wallisville Project
P.O. Box 293 Wallisville, TX 77597 Phone: (409) 389-2285 County: Chambers, Liberty Acreage: 19,000 Permit required: For stationary blinds only Game: Waterfowl Special regulations: Only authorized persons may use stationary blinds. All blinds must be removed within 30 days after close of season. No hunting after noon. No extended deer season.
Whitney Lake/ COE Area
285 CR 3602 Clifton, TX 76634 Phone: (254) 694-3189 County: Bosque, Hill, Johnson Acreage: 14,000 Permit required: Corps permit Game: Doves, quail, squirrels, rabbits, waterfowl, deer, feral hogs, turkeys Special regulations: Deer hunting by archery only. All hunters must register in advance. No shot larger than No. 4, except No. 2 steel shot for waterfowl. Rifles, handguns, crossbows and muzzleloaders are prohibited.
Wright Patman Dam and Lake
P.O. Box 1817 Texarkana, TX 75504 Phone: (903) 838-8781 County: Bowie, Cass Acreage: 54,358 Permit required: Required to hunt ATV-accessible areas Game: Doves, quail, squirrels, rabbits, waterfowl, deer, feral hogs, eastern turkeys Special regulations: Antlerless deer may be taken during archery season only.
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