Hunting and Trapping

COVID-19 Update: Permits Issued at Visitor Center or by Phone

The visitor center has reopened, so hunters may pick up hunting permits in-person during our normal hours of operation.
If you would rather have your permit mailed to you, please call the visitor center at the number below.

• You will need to provide your Texas hunting license customer number.
• You may request hunting permits for immediate family members, as long as you can provide their Texas hunting license customer number(s).

Visitor Center
Address: 6102 FM 420, Kountze, TX 77625
Phone: [phone]
Hours: 7 days/week, 9:00 am–5:00 pm (closed Thanksgiving, Dec. 25, and Jan. 1)

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Hunting with a crossbow

NPS Photo

Hunting

Big Thicket National Preserve issues free hunting permits for several units of the preserve, enabling hunters to harvest white-tailed deer, squirrels, rabbits, waterfowl, and feral hogs. Permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis at the preserve visitor center beginning September 1st. Hunters must have their current Texas hunting license in order to get a hunting permit.

The preserve generally follows the hunting regulations set forth by the State of Texas. Hunting regulations specific to the preserve are listed in the Big Thicket National Preserve Hunting Guide and Regulations.

Hunters may get a permit for only one unit. Starting January 1, hunters may hunt feral hogs in any hunting unit of the preserve except Lake Bayou through the end of the winter squirrel season. This applies to feral hogs only. Other game may be hunted only within the unit specified on the permit

The Lake Bayou Hunting Area is located in the Beaumont Unit. Comprised primarily of marshlands, it is open only for waterfowl hunting and requires a boat to access.

Hunting Unit Maps

Beaumont
Beech Creek
Big Sandy Creek
Jack Gore Baygall
Lake Bayou
Lance Rosier
Neches Bottom

Furbearer Trapping

Big Thicket National Preserve issues free trapping permits for furbearing animals for several units of the preserve. Permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis through the preserve's Resource Management office. Hunters must have their current Texas trapping license in order to get a permit. For more information contact the wildlife biologist at 409-951-6823.

The preserve generally follows the trapping regulations set forth by the State of Texas. Trapping regulations specific to the preserve are listed in the Big Thicket National Preserve Furbearing Trapping Guide and Regulations.

Furbearer Trapping Unit Maps

Beaumont
Jack Gore Baygall
Lance Rosier
Neches Bottom

Feral Hog Trapping

In May 2019, Big Thicket National Preserve began issuing free permits to enable the public to trap feral hogs in the preserve. Permits for 2021 will be issued beginning February 1 on a first-come, first-served basis through the preserve's Resource Management office, and will allow trappers to set 1 hog trap per year within designated areas in the preserve. For more information, or to make an appointment to get a hog trapping permit, call the preserve's Biologist at [phone].

Hog trapping will be allowed in the following units of the preserve: Beaumont, Beech Creek, Big Sandy Creek, Canyonlands, Hickory Creek Savannah, Lance Rosier, and Neches Bottom and Jack Gore Baygall. Maps of each trapping unit are available from the preserve's Resource Management office.

Feral Hog Trapping Guide and Regulations

Find information on seasons, legal methods, requirements, and prohibited activities.

Feral Hog Management

Learn about the preserve's strategies for combating feral hogs.