Hunting

End of 2022-2023 Hunting Season

The 2022-2023 hunting season has ended. Please return your harvest report to the visitor center by April 1.

Visitor Center
Address: 6102 FM 420, Kountze, TX 77625
Phone: [phone]
Hours: 9:00 am–5:00 pm, 7 days a week (closed Thanksgiving, Dec. 25, and Jan. 1)

 

Contact Us

To report illegal activity or to file a complaint, please email law enforcement or call 409-673-3306.

 

 

A shotgun is one of several legal means allowed for hunting in Big Thicket.

NPS Photo / Ian Kessler

Hunting season at Big Thicket National Preserve runs from October 1 to February 28. With a free permit, hunters can harvest white-tailed deer, feral hogs, squirrels, rabbits, and waterfowl from designated hunting areas of the preserve.

Get Your Permit

Hunters can pick up a free permit at the visitor center beginning September 1 of each year. Permits are issued first-come, first-served.

• Every hunter must have a valid Texas hunting license.
• Only 1 permit per person.
• Any hunter seeking a permit—regardless of age—must be present to get a permit.
• Choose a hunting area (see list below). Hunters may hunt only in the area listed on their permit (exception: see Special Hog Season below).

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.

Hunting Areas

Big Thicket offers 7 areas of the preserve for hunting. Each area has a limited number of permits available. See the park map for the location of each area.

Hunting Area	Total No. of Permits	County	Map	Notes
Beaumont	200	Hardin	download map	a.k.a. "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

 

Everything You Need To Know

Hunting Regulations

 

Regulations

Big Thicket National Preserve observes all hunting regulations set forth by the state of Texas. Regulations specific to Big Thicket National Preserve are listed on our hunting regulations page.

Axis Deer

Axis deer (also known as chital) were unexpectedly introduced into the Big Sandy Creek Unit in late 2022; hunters are encouraged to dispatch this exotic species when found. Hunters are required to follow white-tailed deer seasons and legal means for axis deer. A Big Sandy Creek permit is required to hunt for any deer species in that area.

Special Hog Season

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

Lake Bayou

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.

Hunter Report Card

Return your "Hunter's Report" card by April 1 following the end of hunting season. You can drop off your card at the visitor center or mail it to us. Hunters who do not submit their report card by the deadline will not be eligible for a permit the following season.

2022–23 Hunting Seasons and Legal Means

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

Deer

Seasons	Dates	Legal Means
Archery-only	Oct 1 – Nov 4	archery
Early Youth-only	Oct 29 – Oct 30	archery, shotgun (buckshot or slug), muzzleloader, rifle (straight-walled cartridge)
General	Nov 5 – Jan 1	archery, shotgun (buckshot or slug), muzzleloader, rifle (straight-walled cartridge)
Muzzleloader	Jan 2 – Jan 15	muzzleloader
Late Youth-only	Jan 2 – Jan 15	archery, shotgun (buckshot or slug), muzzleloader, rifle (straight-walled cartridge)

Hog

Seasons	Dates	Legal Means
General	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 units (except Lake Bayou).

Squirrel and Rabbit

Season	Dates	Legal Means
General	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
Early Youth-only	Nov 5 – Nov 6	non-lead birdshot shotgun
General	Nov 12 – Nov 27 Dec 3 – Jan 29	non-lead birdshot shotgun

 

Trap Feral Hogs

Trapping

 

Trapping

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