Hunting and Trapping

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

Hunters may pick up hunting permits at the visitor center 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).
• We are out of permits for the following units: Beaumont, Big Sandy Creek, and Jack Gore Baygall. All other hunting units are available.

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 1. 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.

Hunters with documented disabilities may qualify for a special use permit that allows the use of an ATV, UTV, or RTV in certain areas. Please contact us for more information.

Return your hunter report card by April 1 in order to receive a permit for the next hunting season.

2020-21 Hunting Seasons and Legal Means

Refer to State of Texas regulations for species-specific seasons and limits.

Deer

Seasons	Dates	Legal Means
Archery-only	Oct 3 - Nov 6	archery
General	Nov 7 - Jan 3	archery, shotgun, muzzleloader
Muzzleloader	Jan 4 - Jan 17	muzzleloader
Early Youth-only	Oct 31 - Nov 1	archery, shotgun, muzzleloader
Late Youth-only	Jan 4 - Jan 17	archery, shotgun, muzzleloader

Hog

Seasons	Dates	Legal Means
General	Oct 3 - Dec 31	archery, airbow, .17 and .22 cal. rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader
Special*	Jan 1 - Feb 28	archery, airbow, .17 and .22 cal. rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader

*During the special/extended hog season, hunters may hunt feral hogs in any of the hunting units (except Lake Bayou).

Squirrel and Rabbit

Season	Dates	Legal Means
General	Oct 3 - Feb 28	.17 and .22 cal. rifle, birdshot shotgun

Waterfowl

Season	Dates	Legal Means
General	Oct 3 - Feb 28	non-lead birdshot shotgun

Hunting Unit Maps

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

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Feral hogs in a pen

NPS Photo

Feral Hog Trapping

Big Thicket National Preserve issues free permits for the public to trap feral hogs in the preserve. Permits for 2021 will be issued first-come, first-served beginning February 1 and will allow trappers to set 1 hog trap per year within designated areas in the preserve.

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 at the visitor center.

Hog trapping permits are issued at the visitor center. For any questions, please call us at [phone].

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.

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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.

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.

For more information, contact the wildlife biologist at [phone].

Furbearer Trapping Unit Maps

Beaumont
Jack Gore Baygall
Lance Rosier
Neches Bottom