NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga Hunting at Big ThicketBig 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 PermitHunters 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.
NPS Hunting AreasBig 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.
Seasons and FirearmsView seasons and legal firearms for white-tailed deer, hogs, squirrels, rabbits, and waterfowl in Big Thicket National Preserve. RegulationsHunters 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 ReportsEach 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.
If you lost your hunting permit and/or harvest report, contact us for a free replacement.
More InformationSpecial Hog SeasonFrom 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 BayouLake 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 DisabilitiesHunters 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 QuestionsQuestions About PermitsBig Thicket hunting permits are free. Typically Beaumont (200 permits available) fills up first, often by the end of September. Lake Bayou (50), Big Sandy Creek (400), and Jack Gore Baygall (400) may fill up by November. In contrast, Lance Rosier (900) does not usually fill up, with permits for that area still available on the last day of hunting season in February. If you want to check on the availability of a certain hunting area, call us at 409-951-6700. No. Hunting permits must be picked up in-person at the visitor center. Hunters 16 and older need to be physically present at the visitor center to get a hunting permit. Parents or guardians may pick up permits for their child if the child is under 16. Yes. Any person who wants to hunt in the preserve needs a Texas hunting license and Big Thicket hunting permit. This applies to all ages. There are several kinds of Texas hunting licenses available. Before you buy a license, check that it permits you to hunt the kind of game that you desire. Additional endorsements (or "stamps") may apply*.
Texas hunting licenses are sold at most sporting goods stores. You can also purchase one online from TPWD. Digital copies are accepted when picking up a Big Thicket hunting permit. *Note: Big Thicket National Preserve does not require the Annual Public Hunting (APH) or "Type II" permit. No. Big Thicket National Preserve does not require hunters to have an APH / Type II permit. Yes. It is mandatory that hunters return their harvest reports, even if they didn't harvest anything or take any hunting trips. We use data from harvest reports to manage the Big Thicket National Preserve hunting program. To avoid penalties, please return your harvest report by April 1. Beginning in 2025, there will be penalties for hunters who forget to return their harvest report. In 2025, hunters who returned their harvest report late or not at all will receive a 1-month penalty and will not be able to get a permit until September 26, about a month after we begin issuing permits. Beginning in 2026, hunters who do not return their harvest report will be banned from hunting in the preserve for 1 year. Late returns will receive a 1-month penalty. Yes, stop by the visitor center to get a free replacement. Anyone who will be handling firearms or game needs a Texas hunting license AND a Big Thicket hunting permit. This applies to all ages. If a person only wants to observe—not handle firearms or game—then they do not need a hunting license or permit. Questions About RegulationsThe use or possession of dogs for the purpose of hunting game animals is prohibited, except when using retrievers to retrieve waterfowl. ATVs, UTVs, 4-wheelers, side-by-sides, golf carts and other similar vehicles also known as Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs) are prohibited in Big Thicket National Preserve without a special use permit. Yes. Big Thicket National Preserve is open to the public every day of the year. No permit is needed for scouting. Straight-wall cartridges do not have a bottleneck or taper. Additionally, straight-wall cartridges do not exit game as quickly and do not travel as far as cartridges that are bottlenecked/tapered. Big Thicket National Preserve allows straight-wall cartridges for use in rifles for hunting deer and hogs.
Examples of cartridges that are not straight-wall and therefore prohibited for hunting in the preserve:
Trees along preserve boundaries are usually marked with yellow paint. You may also see signs that say "NPS Boundary." Please be aware of private property. Big Thicket National Preserve is not a hunting lease and is used by other members of the public during hunting season. To provide for the safety of all people who visit Big Thicket, protection of flora and fauna, effective administration, and management of the preserve, hunting of any kind is allowed only between September and February. (See 36 CFR § 2.2(b) for federal law regarding hunting in parks.) TrappingHunters can get a free trapping permit to trap feral hogs and furbearing animals. |
Last updated: August 27, 2025