32.63—Texas.
The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck, and coot on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Season dates will be concurrent with the State for the September teal season, youth-only season, and duck and coot regular season in the Texas South Zone, and goose regular season in the Texas East Zone, with the exception that we will prohibit duck (not including the September teal and youth-only seasons) and coot hunting on the refuge until the last Saturday in October. If the State-specified duck and coot regular season opens later than the last Saturday in October, then hunting on the refuge will open consistent with the State-specified season date.
2. You must possess and carry a current signed refuge hunting permit while hunting on all hunt units of the refuge.
3. Hunters may enter the refuge hunt units no earlier than 4 a.m. Hunting starts at the designated legal shooting time and ends at 12 p.m. (noon). Hunters must leave refuge hunt units by 12:30 p.m. We close refuge hunt units on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
4. We allow hunting in portions of the East Unit on Saturdays, Sundays, and Tuesdays during the regular waterfowl season. We require payment of a $10 daily or $40 annual fee to hunt on the East Unit. All hunters must check in and out through the check station when accessing the East Unit by vehicle. We will allow a limited number of parties to access the East Unit by vehicle. All hunters entering the East Unit through the check station will designate a hunt area on a first-come-first-served basis (special duck hunt areas will be assigned through a random drawing). We will require hunters to remain in an assigned area for that day's hunt. We allow hunters to access designated areas of the East Unit by boat from Jackson Ditch, East Bay Bayou, or Onion Bayou. We require hunters accessing the East Unit by boat from Jackson Ditch, East Bay Bayou, or Onion Bayou to pay the $40 annual fee. We prohibit access to the East Unit Reservoirs from Onion Bayou via boat. We prohibit the use of motorized boats on the East Unit, except on ponds accessed from Jackson Ditch via Onion Bayou. We prohibit motorized boats launching from the East Unit.
5. We allow hunting on the East Unit Special Goose Hunt Areas by permit on a first-come, first-served basis the morning of the hunt. Hunters must have goose decoys to hunt the Special Goose Hunt Areas. We allow a minimum of two and a maximum of six persons per permit. All Special Goose Hunt Area hunters must accompany a valid permit holder. Individuals in each group must set up and stay in their permitted area and stay within 50 feet (15 m) of each other unless retrieving goose.
6. We randomly draw permits the morning of the hunt for the East Unit Special Duck Hunt Areas. Hunters must set up within 50 yards (45 m) of the post marker and must stay within 50 feet (15 m) of each other unless retrieving waterfowl. We allow a minimum of two and a maximum of six persons per permit.
7. We allow hunting in the Pace Tract daily during the September teal season and regular waterfowl season.
8. All hunters using the Oyster Bayou Boat Ramp must register at the main refuge entrance.
9. We allow hunting in portions of the Middleton Tract daily during the September teal season and on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays of the regular waterfowl season. We restrict motorized boats in inland waters of the Middleton Tract to motors of 25 hp or less or electric trolling motors.
10. Hunters age 17 and under must be under the direct supervision of an adult age 18 or older.
11. We only allow shotguns for waterfowl hunting.
12. We prohibit the use of airboats, marsh buggies, ATVs (see § 27.31(f) of this chapter) and personal watercraft.
13. On inland waters of refuge hunt areas open to motorized boats, we restrict the operation of motorized boats to lakes, ponds, ditches, and other waterways. We prohibit the operation of motorized boats on or through emergent wetland vegetation.
14. On inland waters of the refuge hunt areas open to motorized boats, we restrict the use of boats powered by air-cooled or radiator-cooled engines to those powered by a single engine of 25 hp or less and utilizing a propeller 9 inches (22.5 cm) in diameter or less.
15. We only allow vehicular travel on designated roads and in parking areas. We prohibit hunting from roads and blocking access to any road or trail entering or on the refuge (see § 27.31(h) of this chapter).
16. We prohibit pits and permanent blinds. We allow portable blinds or temporary natural vegetation blinds. You must remove all blinds from the refuge daily (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
17. The minimum permitted distance between hunt parties is 200 yards (180 m).
18. Dogs accompanying hunters must be under the immediate control of handlers at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
19. You must remove all decoys, boats, spent shells, marsh chairs, and other equipment (see § 27.93 of this chapter) from the refuge daily. We prohibit the use of plastic flagging, reflectors, or reflective tape.
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. [Reserved]
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing and crabbing on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow fishing and crabbing on shoreline areas on East Galveston Bay, along East Bay Bayou on the East Bay Bayou Tract, along West Line Road to the southern end of Shoveler Pond, along the canal from the Oyster Bayou Boat Ramp to the southwest corner of Shoveler Pond, and along the banks of Shoveler Pond.
2. We allow fishing and crabbing only with pole and line, rod and reel, or handheld line. We prohibit the use any method not expressly allowed, including trotlines, setlines, jug lines, limb lines, bows and arrows, gigs, spears, or crab traps.
3. We allow cast netting for bait for personal use along waterways in areas open to the public and along public roads.
4. We prohibit boats and other floatation devices on inland waters. You may launch motorized boats in East Bay at the East Bay Boat Ramp on Westline Road and at the Oyster Bayou Boat Ramp (boat canal). We prohibit the launching of airboats or personal watercraft on the refuge. You may launch nonmotorized boats only along East Bay Bayou and along the shoreline of East Galveston Bay.
5. We prohibit fishing from or mooring to water control structures.
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
A. Hunting of Migratory Birds. [Reserved]
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
1. We may immediately close the entire refuge or any portion thereof to hunting in the event of the appearance of whooping cranes in the hunt area.
2. You must obtain a refuge permit and pay a fee.
3. You may not use dogs to trail game.
4. You may not possess alcoholic beverages while on the refuge.
5. We will annually designate bag limits in the refuge hunt brochure.
6. We allow archery hunting within the deer season for the county on specified days listed in the refuge hunt brochure.
7. We allow firearm hunting within the deer season for the county on specified days listed in the refuge hunt brochure.
8. Firearm hunters must wear a total of 400 square inches (10.16 m2) hunter orange including 144 square inches (936 cm2) visible in front and 144 square inches visible in rear. Some hunter orange must appear on head gear.
9. You must unload and encase all firearms while in a vehicle.
10. You may not hunt on or across any part of the refuge road system, or hunt from a vehicle on any refuge road or road right-of-way.
11. You may hunt white-tailed deer and feral hog on designated areas of Matagorda Island in accordance with the State permit system as administered by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
12. We prohibit hunters possessing handguns during archery and rifle hunts. We allow the use of archery equipment and centerfire rifles in accordance with State law.
13. We only allow you to use biodegradable flagging to mark trails and your hunt stand location during the archery and rifle hunts on the refuge. We color code the flagging used each weekend during the rifle hunts. You must use the designated flagging color specified for particular hunt dates. We provide this information on the refuge hunt permit and in refuge regulations sent to permittees. You must remove flagging (see § 27.93 of this chapter) at the end of the hunt.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
1. You may not use crab traps in any refuge marshes, including Matagorda Island.
2. Beginning April 15 through October 15, you may fish on the refuge only in areas designated in the refuge fishing brochure.
3. You may fish all year in marshes on Matagorda Island and in areas designated in the refuge fishing brochure.
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of mourning, white-wing, rock, and Eurasian-collared doves on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow hunting on the refuge during limited periods of the State-designated hunting season. We publish these dates in the annual refuge hunting brochure.
2. We allow hunting in designated areas, from noon to sunset, Saturdays and Sundays.
3. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
4. We require all hunters to obtain and possess a refuge permit and pay a hunt fee.
5. We allow dogs to retrieve game birds during the hunt, but the dogs must be under control of the handler at all times and not allowed to roam free.
6. All hunters must be age 12 or older. An adult age 21 or older must supervise hunters ages 12-17 (inclusive).
7. We prohibit use or possession of alcohol.
8. We may immediately close the entire refuge or any portion thereof to hunting for the protection of resources, as determined by the refuge manager.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of turkey on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1, A3, A4, A7, and A8 apply.
2. We require hunters to check in and out of a hunt area.
3. We allow bows and arrows, shotguns, and rifles.
4. We may immediately close the entire refuge or any portion thereof to hunting for the protection of resources, as determined by the refuge manager.
5. Hunters must be at least 12 years of age. An adult 21 years of age or older must supervise hunters between the ages of 12 and 17 (inclusive).
6. We annually establish bag limits for turkey and publish these bag limits in the annual hunt brochure.
7. We require hunters to visibly wear 400 square inches (2,600 cm2) of hunter orange on the outermost layer of the head, chest and back, which must include a hunter orange hat or cap.
8. We require that hunters check-in all harvested game at the refuge check station on the day of the hunt.
9. We allow use of portable hunting stands. They may be set up during scouting week, but must be removed when a hunter's permit expires (see §27.93 of this chapter). We prohibit hunters from driving nails, spikes, or other objects into trees or hunting from stands secured with objects driven into trees (see §27.61 of this chapter).
10. We prohibit hunting within 50 yards (45 m) of adjoining private property lines or from a road open to vehicular traffic and/or within 200 yards (180 m) of a building.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and feral hogs on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow hunting in November, December, and/or January.
2. We require hunters to check in and out daily at designated check stations.
3. We allow bows and arrows, shotguns, and rifles.
4. We may immediately close to hunting the entire refuge or any portion thereof for the protection of resources as determined by the refuge manager.
5. Hunters must be at least 12 years of age. An adult 21 years of age or older must supervise hunters between the ages of 12 and 17 (inclusive).
6. The refuge will set bag limits.
7. We require hunters to wear 400 square inches (2,600 cm2) of hunter orange on the outermost layer of the head, chest, and back, which must include a hunter orange hat or cap.
8. We require refuge permits and the payment of a hunt fee.
9. You may not use dogs for hunting.
10. You may not camp.
11. You may only use vehicles on designated roads and parking areas.
D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved]
Big Boggy National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck, and coot on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Season dates will be concurrent with the State for the September teal season, youth-only season, and duck and coot regular season in the Texas South Zone, and goose regular season in the Texas East Zone, with the exception that we will prohibit duck (not including the September teal and youth-only seasons) and coot hunting on the refuge until the last Saturday in October. If the State-specified duck and coot regular season opens later than the last Saturday in October, then hunting on the refuge will open consistent with the State-specified season date.
2. We prohibit the building or use of pits and permanent blinds.
3. We only allow the use of airboats in tidal navigable waters unless otherwise posted.
4. We prohibit target practice on the refuge.
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. [Reserved]
D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved]
Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck, and coot on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We require permits and payment of fees for the Otter Slough Permit Waterfowl Hunt. Hunters must abide by all terms and conditions set forth by the permit.
2. Season dates will be concurrent with the State for the September teal season, youth-only season, and duck and coot regular season in the Texas South Zone, and goose regular season in the Texas East Zone, with the exception that we will prohibit duck (not including the September teal and youth-only seasons) and coot hunting on the refuge until the last Saturday in October. If the State-specified duck and coot regular season opens later than the last Saturday in October, then hunting on the refuge will open consistent with the State-specified season date.
3. We prohibit the building of pits and permanent blinds.
4. You must possess and carry a refuge permit to hunt on certain portions of the hunting area.
5. We only allow the use of airboats in tidal navigable waters unless otherwise posted.
6. We prohibit target practice on the refuge.
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. [Reserved]
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow fishing only on Nick's Lake, Salt Lake, and Lost Lake and along the Salt Lake Weir Dike and the Bastrop Bayou Public Fishing Areas.
2. We allow access for shore fishing at Bastrop Bayou, Clay Banks and Salt Lake Public Fishing Areas, and Salt Lake Weir Dike.
3. We open Bastrop Bayou to fishing 24 hours a day; we prohibit camping.
4. We open all other fishing areas from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
5. We only allow nonmotorized boat launching at the Salt Lake Public Fishing Area. The refuge provides no other boat launching facilities.
6. We prohibit the use of trotlines, sail lines, set lines, jugs, gigs, spears, bush hooks, snatch hooks, crossbows, or bows and arrows of any type.
Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [Reserved]
B. Upland Game Hunting. Hunting of pheasant is permitted on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
1. Permits and payment of a fee are required.
2. Hunters may hunt only one day each year.
3. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field.
4. Hunting is limited to five days, opening on Saturday in accordance with the opening of the State of Texas hunting season, and the subsequent Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
5. Hunting hours will be from 9 a.m. to the close of legal shooting time as listed in the State of Texas pheasant hunting regulations.
6. All hunters must check in and out at refuge headquarters.
7. Only shotguns are permitted.
C. Big Game Hunting. [Reserved]
D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved]
Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of mourning doves in the month of September on designated areas of the refuge, subject to the following conditions:
1. We require you to check in and out of the hunt area.
2. We allow only shotguns.
3. You may possess no shot larger than #4 on the hunting area.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of quail in the month of February and squirrel and rabbit in the months of February and September on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
1. We require you to check in and out of the hunt area.
2. We allow only shotguns.
3. You may possess no shot larger than #4 on the hunting area.
4. You must plug shotguns to hold no more than three shells during the September dove season.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and feral hogs on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
1. You may archery hunt as listed in the refuge hunt information sheet. You must obtain a refuge permit and pay a hunt fee.
2. We allow hunting with firearms including shotguns, 20 gauge or larger, loaded with rifled slug during a special youth hunt as listed in the refuge hunt information sheet. We require permits.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
1. Lake Texoma and connected streams are open to fishing year round.
2. We allow fishing in ponds and stock tanks from April 1 through September 30.
3. Fishermen may string trotlines between anchored floats only. We do not allow lines attached to rubber bands, sticks, poles, trees, or other fixed objects in refuge ponds or impoundments.
4. We do not allow fishing from bridges or roadways.
5. We do not allow boats and other flotation devices on the waters of Lake Texoma from October 1 through March 31, or at any time on refuge ponds and impoundments.
Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [Reserved]
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer, feral pig, and nilgai antelope on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We require hunters to pay a fee and obtain a refuge hunt permit. We issue replacement permits for an additional nominal fee. All hunt fees are nonrefundable. We require the hunter to possess and carry a signed and dated refuge hunt permit.
2. We allow archery and firearm hunting on designated units of the refuge. Units 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 8 are open to archery hunting during designated dates. Units 2, 3, 5, 6, and 8 are open to firearm hunting during designated dates. We close the following areas to hunting: Adolph Thomae, Jr. County Park in Unit 3, posted “No Hunting Zones” within all hunt units, La Selva Verde Tract (Armstrong), Waller Tract, COHYCO, Inc. Tract, Bahia Grande Unit, and South Padre Unit.
3. We offer hunting during specific portions of the State hunting season. We determine specific deer hunt dates annually, and they usually fall within November, December, and January. We may provide special feral pig and nilgai antelope hunts to reduce populations at any time during the year.
4. We annually establish a specific bag limit for deer hunted on the refuge in the refuge hunt brochure. We have an unlimited bag limit on feral pig and nilgai antelope.
5. We require hunters to visibly wear 400 square inches (2,600 cm2) of hunter orange, which includes wearing a minimum of 144 square inches (936 cm2) visible on the chest, a minimum of 144 square inches (936 cm2) visible on the back, and a hunter-orange hat or cap visible on the head when in the field. We allow hunter-orange camouflage patterns. We allow archery hunters during the archery-only hunts to remove their hunter orange in the field only when hunting at a stationary location.
6. Each youth hunter, ages 12 through 17, must be accompanied by, and remain within sight and normal voice contact of, an adult age 21 or older. Hunters must be at least age 12.
7. We only allow the use of shoulder-fired muzzleloaders and rifled firearms. We prohibit possession of a pistol or shotgun while hunting. Muzzleloader firearms must be .40 caliber or larger, and modern-rifled firearms must be center fired and .22 caliber or larger. We prohibit loaded firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter) in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle (we define “loaded” as having rounds in the chamber or magazine or a firing cap on a muzzleloading firearm). We prohibit target practice or “sighting-in” on the refuge.
8. We allow a 9-day scouting period, ending 1 week prior to the commencement of the refuge deer hunting season. A permitted hunter and a limit of two nonpermitted individuals may enter the hunt units during the scouting period. We allow access to the units during the scouting period from legal sunrise to legal sunset. You must clearly display refuge-issued Hunter Vehicle Validation Tags/Scouting Permits (available from the refuge office) face up on the vehicle dashboard.
9. We only allow hunters to enter the refuge 1 hour before legal shooting hours during the permitted hunt season. All hunters must check out daily at the refuge check station at the end of their hunt or no later than 1 hour after legal shooting hours.
10. We allow vehicle parking at Unit 1 and Unit 6 designated parking areas and along the roadsides of General Brandt Road (FM 106), Buena Vista Road, Lakeside Road, and County Road (see § 27.31 of this chapter).
11. We restrict vehicle access to service roads not closed by gates or signs. We prohibit the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) or off-road vehicles (ORVs) (see § 27.31 of this chapter). You may only access hunt units by foot or bicycle.
12. We allow hunting from portable stands or by stalking and still hunting. There is a limit of one blind or stand per permitted hunter. You must attach hunter identification (name, address, permit number, and phone number), to the blind or stand. We prohibit attaching blinds and stands to trees or making blinds and stands from natural vegetation (see §§ 32.2(i) and § 27.51 of this chapter)). You must remove all blinds and stands (see § 27.93 of this chapter) at the end of the permitted hunt season.
13. We prohibit hunting with dogs.
14. Hunters must field-dress all harvested big game in the field and check the game at the refuge check station before removal from the refuge. You may quarter deer, feral pig, and nilgai antelope in the field as defined by State regulations. You may use a nonmotorized cart to assist with the transportation of harvested game animals.
15. We prohibit use of or hunting from any type of watercraft or floating device.
16. You must receive authorization from a refuge employee to enter closed refuge areas to retrieve harvested game.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing and crabbing on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We only allow fishing and crabbing from Adoph Thomae Jr. County Park on San Martin Lake of the Bahia Grande Unit, and on the South Padre Island Unit year-round.
2. We require payment of an entry fee and boat launch at Adolph Thomae Jr. County Park. We allow access to the park between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. from June through October, and between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. from November through May.
3. We only allow pole and line, rod and reel, hand line, dip net, or cast net for fishing. We prohibit the use of crab traps or pots for crabbing. Anglers must attend all fishing lines, crabbing equipment, or other fishing devices at all times.
4. We prohibit the taking and use of frog, salamander, and other amphibian as bait.
5. We allow the use of boats for sport fishing. You may launch boats at Adolph Thomae Jr. County Park. We only allow bank and wade fishing on the shoreline of San Martin Lake within the refuge boundary. We only allow access by foot behind posted refuge boundary signs.
6. We only allow camping at Adolph Thomae Jr. County Park.
Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped dove on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We require hunters to pay a fee and obtain a refuge hunt permit. All hunt fees are nonrefundable. We require hunters to possess and carry a signed (by permittee and an authorized refuge staff member) refuge hunt permit.
2. We allow hunting on areas of the refuge during limited periods of the State-designated hunting season. We publish these dates in the refuge hunting sheet.
3. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see § 32.2(k)).
4. We require hunters to be at least age 12. Youth hunters, age 17 and younger must be under the supervision of an adult age 18 or older.
5. We determine the location and method of hunting each year and publish this information in the refuge hunting sheet.
6. We only allow parking in designated locations.
7. We allow the use of properly trained retrievers during these hunts.
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunters to take white-tailed deer, feral hog, and nilgai antelope on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1 through A3 and A5 through A7 apply.
2. We annually establish bag limits for white-tailed deer based on survey data provided by the State. We establish no bag limits for feral hog or nilgai antelope.
3. We require hunters to visibly wear 400 square inches (2,600 cm2) of hunter orange, which includes wearing a minimum of 144 square inches (936 cm2) visible on the chest, a minimum of 144 square inches visible on the back, and a hunter-orange hat or cap visible on the head.
D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved]
McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck, and coot on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Season dates will be concurrent with the State for the September teal season, youth-only season, and duck and coot regular season in the Texas South Zone, and goose regular season in the Texas East Zone, with the exception that we will prohibit duck (not including the September teal and youth-only seasons) and coot hunting on the refuge until the last Saturday in October. If the State-specified duck and coot regular season opens later than the last Saturday in October, then hunting on the refuge will open consistent with the State-specified season date.
2. You must possess and carry a current signed refuge hunting permit while hunting on all units of the refuge.
3. Hunters must enter the refuge hunt units between 4 a.m. and 1/2 hour before the designated legal shooting time. Hunting starts at legal shooting time and ends at 12 p.m. (noon). Hunters must leave refuge hunt units by 12:30 p.m. We close refuge hunt units on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
4. You may access hunt areas by foot, nonmotorized watercraft, outboard motorboat, or airboat. Airboats may not exceed 10 hp with direct drive with a propeller length of 48 inches (120 cm) or less. Engines may not exceed 2 cylinders and 484 cc. We prohibit all other motorized vehicles. We prohibit marsh buggies, ATVs, and personal watercraft (see § 27.31(f) of this chapter).
5. On inland waters of the refuge open to motorized boats, we restrict the use of boats powered by air-cooled or radiator-cooled engines to those powered by a single engine of 25 hp or less and utilizing a propeller 9 inches (22.5 cm) in diameter or less.
6. On inland waters of the refuge open to motorized boats, we restrict the operation of motorized boats to lakes, ponds, ditches, and other waterways. We prohibit the operation of motorized boats on or through emergent wetland vegetation.
7. We allow hunting in the Star Lake/Clam Lake Hunt Unit daily during the special teal season and on Saturdays, Sundays, and Tuesdays of the regular waterfowl season. During the regular waterfowl season only, all hunters hunting the Star Lake/Clam Lake Hunt Units must register at the check station, including those accessing the unit from the beach along the Brine Line or Perkins Levee. Hunters will choose a designated hunt area on a first-come-first-served basis and will be required to remain in assigned areas for that day's hunt. All hunters accessing Star Lake and associated waters via boat must access through the refuge's Star Lake boat ramp.
8. We allow hunting in the Central Hunt Units daily during the September teal season and on Saturdays, Sundays, and Tuesdays of the regular waterfowl season.
9. We only allow hunting in the Spaced Hunt Units on Saturdays, Sundays, and Tuesdays of the regular waterfowl season. We require payment of a $10.00 daily fee to hunt the Spaced Hunt Units. We allow a maximum of four hunters per area. Hunters must possess and carry Special Fee Area Permits while hunting.
10. We allow daily hunting in the Mud Bayou Hunt Unit during the September teal season and on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays of the regular waterfowl season. We allow access by foot from the beach at designated crossings or by boat from the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway via Mud Bayou.
11. Hunters age 17 or under must be under the direct supervision of an adult age 18 or older.
12. We only allow shotguns for waterfowl hunting.
13. We only allow vehicular travel on designated roads and in parking areas. We prohibit blocking access to any road or trail entering or on the refuge (see § 27.31(h) of this chapter).
14. We prohibit pits and permanent blinds. We allow portable blinds or temporary natural vegetation blinds. You must remove all blinds from the refuge daily (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
15. The minimum permitted distance between hunt parties and between hunters and driveable roads and buildings is 200 yards (180 m). We prohibit hunting from roads or levees.
16. Dogs accompanying hunters must be under the immediate control of handlers at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
17. You must remove all decoys, boats, spent shells, marsh chairs, and other equipment (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) from the refuge daily. We prohibit use of plastic flagging, reflectors, or reflective tape on the refuge.
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. [Reserved]
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing and crabbing on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We only allow fishing and crabbing with pole and line, rod and reel, or handheld line. We prohibit the use of any method not expressly allowed in inland waters, including trotlines, set lines, jug lines, limb lines, bows and arrows, gigs, spears, and crab traps.
2. We allow cast netting for bait for personal use along waterways in areas open to the public and along public roads.
3. We allow fishing and crabbing in 10-Mile Cut and Mud Bayou and in the following inland waters: Star Lake, Clam Lake, and Mud Lake. We also allow fishing and crabbing from the shoreline of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and along roadside ditches.
4. Conditions A5 and A6 apply.
5. We prohibit fishing from or mooring to water control structures.
5. Conditions A5 and A6 apply.
San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck, and coot on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Season dates will be concurrent with the State for the September teal season, youth-only season, and duck and coot regular season in the Texas South Zone, and goose regular season in the Texas East Zone, with the exception that we will prohibit duck (not including the September teal and youth-only seasons) and coot hunting on the refuge until the last Saturday in October. If the State-specified duck and coot regular season opens later than the last Saturday in October, then hunting on the refuge will open consistent with the State-specified season date.
2. We prohibit the building or use of pits and permanent blinds (see §§ 27.92 and 27.93 of this chapter).
3. We require permits and payment of fees for the Sargent Permit Waterfowl Hunt and Light Goose Conservation Order Season Permit Hunt Area. Hunters must abide by all terms and conditions set by the permits.
4. We only allow the use of airboats in tidal navigable waters unless otherwise posted.
5. We prohibit target practice on the refuge.
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. [Reserved]
D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow fishing only on the refuge portions of Cow Trap Lakes, Cedar Lakes, and along Cedar Lake Creek.
2. We prohibit the use of trotlines, sail lines, set lines, jugs, gigs, spears, bush hooks, snatch hooks, crossbows, or bows and arrows of any type.
Texas Point National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck, and coot on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Season dates will be concurrent with the State for the September teal season, youth-only season, and duck and coot regular season in the Texas South Zone, and goose regular season in the Texas East Zone, with the exception that we will prohibit duck (not including the September teal and youth-only seasons) and coot hunting on the refuge until the last Saturday in October. If the State-specified duck and coot regular season opens later than the last Saturday in October, then hunting on the refuge will open consistent with the State-specified season date.
2. You must possess and carry a current signed refuge hunting permit while hunting on all hunt units of the refuge.
3. Hunters must enter the refuge hunt unit between 4 a.m. and 1/2 hour before the designated legal shooting time. Hunting starts at legal shooting time and ends at 12 p.m. (noon). Hunters must be off refuge hunt units by 12:30 p.m. We close refuge hunt units on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
4. We allow hunting in portions of the refuge daily during the September teal season and on Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays during the regular waterfowl season.
5. You may access hunt areas by foot, nonmotorized watercraft, outboard motorboat, or airboat. Airboats may not exceed 10 hp with direct drive with a propeller length of 48 inches (120 cm) or less. Engines may not exceed 2 cylinders and 484 cc. We prohibit all other motorized vehicles. We prohibit marsh buggies, ATVs, and personal watercraft (see § 27.31(f) of this chapter).
6. On inland waters of the refuge open to motorized boats, we restrict the use of boats powered by air-cooled or radiator-cooled engines to those powered by a single engine of 25 hp or less and utilizing a propeller 9 inches (22.5 cm) in diameter or less.
7. On inland waters of the refuge open to motorized boats, we restrict the operation of motorized boats to lakes, ponds, ditches, and other waterways. We prohibit the operation or motorized boats on or through emergent wetland vegetation.
8. Hunters age 17 or under must be under the direct supervision of an adult age 18 or older.
9. We only allow shotguns for waterfowl hunting.
10. We only allow vehicle travel on designated roads and in designated parking areas (see § 27.31 of this chapter). We prohibit blocking access to any road or trail entering or on the refuge (see § 27.31(h) of this chapter).
11. We prohibit pits and permanent blinds. We allow portable blinds or temporary natural vegetation blinds. You must remove all blinds from the refuge daily (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
12. The minimum distance between hunt parties is 200 yards (180 m). We prohibit hunting from roads or levees.
13. Dogs accompanying hunters must be under the immediate control of handlers at all times (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).
14. You must remove all decoys, boats, spent shells, marsh chairs, and other equipment (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) from the refuge daily. We prohibit use of plastic flagging, reflectors, or reflective tape on the refuge.
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. [Reserved]
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing and crabbing on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow fishing and crabbing only with pole and line, rod and reel, or handheld line. We prohibit the use of any method not expressly allowed in inland waters, including trotlines, set lines, jug lines, limb lines, bows and arrows, gigs, spears, and crab traps.
2. We allow cast netting for bait only by individuals along waterways in areas open to the public and along public roads.
3. Conditions A6 and A7 apply.
4. We prohibit fishing from or mooring to water control structures.
Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of duck on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We only allow hunting on Champion Lake by drawing.
2. We require an application fee for participants to enter the drawing. After the State announces hunting dates, we will issue a refuge permit to those drawn. The hunter must possess and carry the permit at all times when hunting.
3. We only allow hunting on Champion Lake Saturdays and Sundays during the State duck season. Hunters may not enter the refuge until 5 a.m. and must be off the hunt area by 12 p.m. (noon).
4. We only allow portable blinds. Hunters must remove all blinds, decoys, shell casings, and other personal equipment (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) from the refuge each day.
5. We limit motors to 10 hp or less.
6. We allow retrievers, but they must be under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
7. Each youth hunter (age 17 and under) must remain within sight and normal voice contact and under supervision of an adult age 18 or older.
8. Hunt parties must keep a minimum distance of 150 yards (135 m) between them.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting for squirrel and rabbit on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We require each participant to pay an application fee to obtain a permit. We will limit the number of permits issued for the designated hunt season. Consult the refuge brochure or call the refuge for hunt dates.
2. We allow hunting during a designated 23-day season.
3. We prohibit hunting along refuge roads.
4. We prohibit the use of dogs, feeders, baiting (see § 32.2(h)), campsites, fires (see § 27.95(a) of this chapter), horses, bicycles, and all-terrain vehicles.
5. We restrict weapons to shotguns and rimfires.
6. Youth hunters ages 17 and under must be under the direct supervision of an adult age 18 or older. Hunters must be at least age 12.
7. The minimum distance we allow between hunt parties is 200 yards (180 m). We require hunters to visibly wear 400 square inches (2,600 cm 2) of hunter-orange, which includes wearing a minimum of 144 square inches (936 cm 2) visible on the chest, a minimum of 144 square inches visible on the back, and a hunter orange hat or cap visible on the head.
8. Participants must possess and carry current authorized hunting permits at all times. Permits are nontransferable. Hunters may enter the refuge and park in an assigned parking area no earlier than 5 a.m. We allow hunting from 1/2 hour before legal sunrise to 1/2 hour after legal sunset. We require hunters to return a data log card.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow hunting during two designated 9-day rifle/shotgun seasons. We require participants to pay an application fee to enter the hunt permit drawing. We issue a refuge permit to those individuals whose names are drawn.
2. We allow hunting during a designated 23-day archery season. We require participants to pay an application fee to obtain a designated number of permits. We issue a refuge permit to those individuals.
3. We allow muzzleloader hunting during the designated State season.
4. Conditions B4 and B6 through B8 apply.
5. We allow only temporary blinds. We prohibit hunting or blind erection along refuge roads.
6. We restrict the weapon type used depending on the unit hunted. We publish this information on the refuge permit (which you must possess and carry) and in the refuge hunt brochure.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on most refuge tracts in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We only allow fishing with pole and line, rod and reel, or hand-held line.
2. We prohibit the use of trotlines, setlines, bows and arrows, gigs, spears, fish traps, crab/crawfish traps or nets.
3. We prohibit the harvesting of frog or turtle (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
4. We allow fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
5. We limit motors to a maximum of 10 hp. We prohibit fishing or enter within 200 yards (180 m) of an established bird rookery from March through the end of June. Check at refuge headquarters for rookery locations.
[58 FR 5064, Jan. 19, 1993, as amended at 58 FR 29076, May 18, 1993; 59 FR 6698, Feb. 11, 1994; 59 FR 55188, Nov. 3, 1994; 62 FR 47382, Sept. 9, 1997; 63 FR 46921, Sept. 3, 1998; 65 FR 30792, May 12, 2000; 65 FR 56408, Sept. 18, 2000; 66 FR 46361, Sept. 4, 2001; 67 FR 58950, Sept. 18, 2002; 69 FR 54362, 54457, Sept. 8, 2004; 69 FR 55995, Sept. 17, 2004; 70 FR 54192, Sept. 13, 2005; 73 FR 33197, June 11, 2008; 74 FR 45697, Sept. 3, 2009]