Hunting and Trapping

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. In 2019, these will be issued 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. After the end of the general season, hunters may continue to hunt feral hogs only in all hunting units in the preserve except Lake Bayou through February 28. The preserve does not observe any state hunting seasons that fall outside of archery season and general season.

The Lake Bayou Hunting Area was opened for hunting in 2017 and 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 of 2019, Big Thicket National Preserve began issuing free permits to enable the public to trap feral hogs in the preserve. Permits for 2020 will be issued beginning in February 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 Biologist at 409-951-6823.

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.

Regulations on trapping hogs in the preserve can be found in the Big Thicket National Preserve Feral Hog Trapping Guide and Regulations. To learn more about how the preserve is addressing the issue of feral hogs, please see Feral Hog Management in the Big Thicket.