Hunting

2025-2026 Hunting Permits

Hunting permits for Fall 2025-Winter 2026 will be available at the visitor center beginning Friday, August 29.

 

Archery

NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga

Hunting at Big Thicket

Hunting season at Big Thicket National Preserve runs from 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.

 

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. Limit 1 permit per person.

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 a hunting area (see list below). Hunters may hunt only in the area listed on their permit (exception: see Special Hog Season below).

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	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

View seasons for white-tailed deer, hogs, squirrels, rabbits, and waterfowl.

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.

 

• 

  Dates for Each Species

  Hunting Seasons

  See dates of each season for deer, hogs, squirrels, rabbits, and waterfowl.

• 

  Know the Rules

  Hunting Regulations

  Get familiar with Big Thicket's hunting regulations before your hunting trip.

• 

  Trap Feral Hogs

  Trapping

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

 

More Information

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 Report card by April 1 following the end of hunting season. You can drop off your card at the visitor center, email it to [e-mail], or mail it to us. Hunters who do not submit their report card by the deadline will have a 1-month penalty before they can get a permit for the following season.

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.

Trapping

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

 

Contact Us

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