Hunting

 
A woman wearing camouflage and an orange vest aiming a bow while hunting in a pine forest.
Archery

NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga

Hunting at Big Thicket

Big Thicket National Preserve allows hunting from late September or early October to late February (actual dates vary each year). With a free permit, hunters can harvest white-tailed deer, feral hogs, squirrels, rabbits, and waterfowl from designated hunting areas of the preserve.

How to Get a Hunting Permit

Hunters can pick up a free permit at the visitor center beginning September 1 of each year (or earlier if Sep. 1 falls on a holiday or weekend). Permits are issued first-come, first-served. Limit 1 permit per person per season.

To get a permit, you must:

  • Have a valid Texas hunting license.
  • Have a valid state-issued driver's license or ID (not required for children under 16).
  • Pick up your permit in-person at the visitor center. Parents and legal guardians may pick up permits for their children under 16.
  • Choose one hunting area (see list below). You may hunt only in the area listed on your permit (exception: see Special Hog Season below).
 
A simple map of Big Thicket hunting areas, shown in dark green, and with green and white labels: Big Sandy Creek, Beech Creek, Jack Gore Baygall, Neches Bottom, Beaumont, Lake Bayou, and Lance Rosier are the hunting areas.
Map of hunting areas in Big Thicket National Preserve. Click/tap for a larger version.

NPS

Hunting Areas

Big Thicket offers 7 areas of the preserve for hunting. Each area has a limited number of permits available. Hunters may choose one (1) area to hunt in for the season.

Hunting Area Total No.
of Permits
County Map Notes
Beaumont 200 Hardin download map also known as “the Island”
Beech Creek 150 Tyler download map
Big Sandy Creek 400 Polk download map
Jack Gore Baygall 400 Hardin download map
Lake Bayou 50 Orange download map waterfowl only
Lance Rosier 900 Hardin download map
Neches Bottom 150 Jasper download map

Seasons and Firearms

View seasons and legal firearms for white-tailed deer, hogs, squirrels, rabbits, and waterfowl in Big Thicket National Preserve.

Regulations

Hunters are required to follow all Big Thicket National Preserve hunting regulations. Additionally, the preserve observes all hunting regulations set forth by the State of Texas.

Harvest Reports

Each hunting permit comes with a harvest report. Hunters are required to fill out and return the harvest report to us by April 1 to avoid a penalty the following season.

Ways to return your harvest report:

  • Drop it off at the visitor center.
  • Email a picture of your report to bith_information@nps.gov.
  • Mail it to 6044 FM 420, Kountze, TX 77625.

If you lost your hunting permit and/or harvest report, contact us for a free replacement.

Want to see what was harvested last season? Check last season's harvest data.

 
 

More Information

Special Hog Season

From January 1 to February 28, hunters with any Big Thicket hunting permit may hunt feral hogs in any hunting area of the preserve except Lake Bayou. This applies to feral hogs only. Other game may be hunted only within the area specified on the permit.

Lake Bayou

Lake Bayou is a waterfowl-only hunting area. Though on the park map it is considered part of the Beaumont Unit, for hunting it is treated as a separate area with its own permit. Lake Bayou is comprised mostly of marshlands and requires a boat to access. Collier's Ferry in Beaumont is a recommended boat launch.

Hunters with Disabilities

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Questions About Permits

 

Questions About Regulations

 

Trapping

Hunters can get a free trapping permit to trap feral hogs and furbearing animals.

 

Last updated: July 26, 2025

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

6044 FM 420
Kountze, TX 77625

Phone:

409-951-6700

Contact Us