Big Thicket National Preserve allows hunting from late September/early October to late February (actual dates vary each year). Within those months, the preserve observes the hunting seasons set forth by the State of Texas.
2026–2027 Hunting Seasons and Legal Means
Refer to State of Texas regulations for bag limits and more information.
White-Tailed Deer
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Seasons
|
Dates
|
Legal Means
|
|
Archery-only
|
Oct 3 – Nov 6
|
archery
|
|
Early Youth-only
|
Oct 30 – Nov 1
|
archery, shotgun (buckshot or slug), muzzleloader,
rifle (straight-walled cartridge)
|
|
General
|
Nov 7 – Jan 3
|
archery, shotgun (buckshot or slug), muzzleloader,
rifle (straight-walled cartridge)
|
|
Muzzleloader-only
|
Jan 4 – Jan 17
|
muzzleloader
|
|
Late Youth-only
|
Jan 4 – Jan 17
|
archery, shotgun (buckshot or slug), muzzleloader,
rifle (straight-walled cartridge)
|
Hog
|
Seasons
|
Dates
|
Legal Means
|
|
Regular
|
Oct 1 – Dec 31
|
archery, airbow/bow gun, shotgun (buckshot or slug),
rifle (.17, .22, or straight-walled cartridge), muzzleloader
|
|
Special*
|
Jan 1 – Feb 28
|
archery, airbow/bow gun, shotgun (buckshot or slug),
rifle (.17, .22, or straight-walled cartridge), muzzleloader
|
*During the special hog season, hunters may hunt feral hogs in any of the hunting areas except Lake Bayou.
Rabbit
|
Season
|
Dates
|
Legal Means
|
|
Regular
|
Oct 1 – Feb 28
|
archery, rifle (.17 or .22), air gun/air rifle, shotgun (birdshot),
muzzleloader
|
Squirrel
|
Season
|
Dates
|
Legal Means
|
|
Regular
|
Oct 1 – Feb 28
|
archery, rifle (.17 or .22), air gun/air rifle, shotgun (birdshot),
muzzleloader
|
Waterfowl (Duck, Merganser, and Coot)
|
Seasons
|
Dates
|
Legal Means
|
|
Youth & Veterans
|
Nov 7 – Nov 8
|
non-lead birdshot shotgun
|
|
Regular
|
Nov 14 – Nov 29
Dec 5 – Jan 31
|
non-lead birdshot shotgun
|
