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.
2025–2026 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
|
Sep 27 – Oct 31
|
archery
|
|
Early Youth-only
|
Oct 24 – Oct 26
|
archery, shotgun (buckshot or slug), muzzleloader,
rifle (straight-walled cartridge)
|
|
Regular
|
Nov 1 – Jan 4
|
archery, shotgun (buckshot or slug), muzzleloader,
rifle (straight-walled cartridge)
|
|
Muzzleloader-only
|
Jan 5 – Jan 18
|
muzzleloader
|
|
Late Youth-only
|
Jan 5 – Jan 18
|
archery, shotgun (buckshot or slug), muzzleloader,
rifle (straight-walled cartridge)
|
Hog
|
Seasons
|
Dates
|
Legal Means
|
|
Regular
|
Sep 27 – 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
|
Sep 27 – Feb 28
|
archery, rifle (.17 or .22), air gun/air rifle, shotgun (birdshot),
muzzleloader
|
Squirrel
|
Season
|
Dates
|
Legal Means
|
|
Regular
|
Oct 1 – Feb 22
|
archery, rifle (.17 or .22), air gun/air rifle, shotgun (birdshot),
muzzleloader
|
Waterfowl (Duck, Merganser, and Coot)
|
Seasons
|
Dates
|
Legal Means
|
|
Youth & Veterans
|
Nov 1 – Nov 2
|
non-lead birdshot shotgun
|
|
Regular
|
Nov 8 – Nov 30
Dec 6 – Jan 25
|
non-lead birdshot shotgun
|
