The 2009-2010 Hunting Season at Amistad NRA begins September 1, 2009 and ends February 28, 2010.
Please read the following information regarding hunting rules and regulations at Amistad. Hunting Permits for Amistad NRA can be purchased at the Visitor Information Center located on US Highway 90 West beginning August 15, 2009.
Amistad NRA's Hunt Areas are public land and are accessible year-round for hiking and exploration. Please be aware of other hunters and visitors in the area and BE SAFE!
Hunting at Amistad NRA is ARCHERY ONLY except a shotgun with birdshot may be used for dove, quail, duck, and rabbit. The use of rifles, handguns and crossbows is not permitted.
Hunting is allowed in five designated areas of Amistad National Recreation Area during specified seasons.
The remaining shoreline and adjacent private lands are not open to public hunting. Regulations are enforced by the National Park Service and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Hunting Permits
Permits are issued in person only at the park Visitor Information Center. The center is open 7 days a week, 8 am- 5 pm and is located on US Hwy 90W, across from 3 Rivers RV Park. Applicants must bring a current Texas hunting license, a state-issued drivers license or state issued photo identification card. If required by the State of Texas, you must show proof of Hunter Education, or a hunter education deferral. Plan ahead to obtain your permit.
A permit fee of $20 (no discounts for GA/GACC passports) is required. This is not a “recreation use” fee, it is a "cost recovery" fee.
Violation of any hunting or non-hunting regulation (State or Federal) may result in a fine, the immediate revocation of your Annual Hunting Permit, the loss of park hunting privileges during the next hunting season, and/or the permanent loss of your park hunting privileges.
Please do not litter the hunt areas. Pack it in, pack it out. Empty shotgun shells and cigarette butts are considered litter too. Please pick them up and pack them out.
The 2009-2010 Amistad NRA Annual Hunting Permit is valid from September 1, 2009 through February 28, 2010.
Please take note that all five of Amistad NRA's hunt areas are considered "Central Zone" in the TPWD Outdoor Annual Hunting and Fishing Regulations Guidebook.
Hunting Regulations
Pick up a copy of the park-specific hunting regulations at our Park Visitor Information Center, located on Hwy 90 W, across from Three Rivers RV Park. The Visitor Information Center is open 7 days a week, 8 am - 5 pm. You can also download our park-specific hunting regulations, hunting seasons and hunt area maps from links on the right column of this page.
Below is only a summary of the regulation highlights. You are responsible for knowing and following all current State of Texas and Amistad National Recreation Area hunting regulations, seasons, and hunt area boundaries. You are also responsible for correctly identifying game species. KNOW BEFORE YOU SHOOT!
Weapons
Weapons must be unloaded and unavailable for immediate use (rendered temporarily inoperable or packed, cased, or stored) while traveling in a vehicle or boat. Rifles and handguns are not permitted in hunting areas at any time.
Target Practice
Target practice (including skeet shooting and archery) is prohibited anywhere within Amistad NRA.
Baiting
Feeding or baiting of wildlife is prohibited. The possession of baiting material while inside a hunt area is prohibited. Hunting over a baited area is prohibited. If you see an area that has been baited in one of the hunt areas, report it to a Park Ranger immediately.
Vegetation and ground blinds
Ground blinds are acceptable, but construction is limited to the use of vegetation that is already dead and down. Cutting of vegetation for use in building a ground blind, or for any other purpose, is prohibited.
Cleaning/Dressing Game
The cleaning and dressing of game is prohibited in the hunt area parking lots. You may field dress game only in the hunt areas.
Display of Game
The display of harvested game in the campgrounds is prohibited.
Dogs
You may use bird dogs to hunt dove, quail or waterfowl only. Dogs must be on a leash outside of the hunting areas and under control at all times while in the hunting areas
Backcountry Camping
Backcountry camping is allowed outside of the hunting areas. You may also camp within the designated campgrounds, however, all weapons must be unloaded, cased and out of sight while at your campsite.
Game Species:
Deer
White-tailed deer may be hunted during both the archery and general seasons using a long or compound bow.
Bird
Dove, quail and waterfowl may be hunted during their open seasons using a shotgun (birdshot) at all open hunt areas. Turkey may be hunted using archery equipment during the fall turkey season. We do not offer a spring turkey season.
Rabbit
Rabbit may be hunted during both the archery and general deer season using archery equipment. Rabbit may also be hunted with a shotgun with birdshot, but only during dove, quail and waterfowl seasons.
Other
Javelina and feral hog may be hunted during the both the archery and general deer season using archery equipment. Mouflon Sheep, Aoudad Sheep, and Blackbuck may be hunted in the designated hunt areas during both archery and general deer season using archery equipment. There is no daily bag limit for Mouflon Sheep, Aoudad Sheep, or Blackbuck.
Domestic Livestock
The hunting of domestic livestock in the hunt areas is prohibited. It is your responsibility to know how to recognize the difference between exotic Mouflon or Aoudad Sheep and domestic goats and sheep. Photos are available to assist you with local domestic livestock identification, either as downloadable/printable PDF files by clicking the links on the right side of this page or you may see them at our Park Visitor Information Center.
The hunting of any other species not specifically listed here or in our park-specific hunting regulations is prohibited.
Safety
There are poisonous reptiles and insects, plants with thorns and spines, caves and sinkholes present throughout the park. Use caution and pay attention to your surroundings. To report an emergency, call 911. For non-emergencies, call the Val Verde County Sheriff at 830-774-7513 and request the assistance of a Park Ranger. We recommend that you carry safety items such as a flashlight, compass, first aid kit, maps, and water.
All archeological features and artifacts are protected by Federal law.
