§ 32.62 - Texas.

§ 32.62 Texas.

The following refuge units are open for hunting and/or fishing as governed by applicable Federal and State regulations, and are listed in alphabetical order with additional refuge-specific regulations.

(a) Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge —

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck, coot, white-winged, mourning, rock, and Eurasian collared-dove, and rock pigeon on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) You must carry a current signed refuge hunting permit (signed refuge hunt brochure) while waterfowl hunting on all refuge hunt units.

(ii) Season dates for waterfowl will be concurrent with the State, except as specified in the refuge hunt brochure.

(iii) Hunters age 17 and younger must be under the direct supervision of an adult age 18 or older.

(iv) For waterfowl hunting, you 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). You must leave refuge hunt units by 12:30 p.m. For dove hunting, you may enter the refuge 1 hour before legal sunrise and must leave the refuge by 1⁄2 hour after legal sunset. We close refuge hunt units on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

(v) For waterfowl hunting, we allow hunting in portions of the East Unit on Saturdays, Sundays, and Tuesdays during the regular waterfowl seasons.

(vi) Hunters must check in and out through the check station (FWS Form 3-2405) when accessing the East Unit by vehicle.

(vii) We require hunters to remain in an assigned area for that day's hunt.

(viii) We allow hunters to access designated areas of the East Unit by boat from Jackson Ditch, East Bay Bayou, or Onion Bayou.

(ix) We allow hunting on the East Unit as governed by the State light goose conservation order. Hunt areas are by permit on a first-come, first-served basis the morning of the hunt. We allow a maximum of six persons per field. Individuals in each group must set up and stay in their permitted area and stay within 50 feet (15 meters (m)) of each other unless retrieving goose.

(x) 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.

(xi) 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.

(xii) We restrict motorized boats in inland waters of the Middleton Tract to motors of 25 horsepower or less or electric trolling motors during hunting season.

(xiii) You may access hunt areas by foot, nonmotorized watercraft, outboard motorboat, or airboat. Airboats may not exceed 10 horsepower with direct drive with a propeller length of 48 inches (120 centimeters) or less.

(xiv) 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 when hunting. We prohibit the operation of motorized boats on or through emergent wetland vegetation.

(xv) 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 horsepower or less and utilizing a propeller 9 inches (22.5 centimeters) in diameter or less during the hunting season.

(xvi) We allow portable blinds or temporary natural vegetation blinds. You must remove all blinds, decoys, boats, spent shells, marsh chairs, and other equipment from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).

(xvii) We require a minimum distance between hunt parties of 200 yards (180 m).

(xviii) We allow the use of dogs when hunting.

(2)-(3) [Reserved]

(4) Sport fishing. We allow fishing and crabbing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) 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.

(ii) We allow cast netting for bait for personal use along waterways in areas open to the public and along public roads.

(iii) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (a)(1)(xiii) and (xv) of this section apply.

(iv) We prohibit mooring to water control structures.

(b) Aransas National Wildlife Refuge —

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose, coot, and merganser on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) For the Matagorda Island upland units, each adult hunter age 17 or older must possess an annual public hunting permit administered by the State.

(ii) Hunting starts at the designated legal shooting time and ends at 12 p.m. (noon) on the Matagorda Island upland units. Hunters must leave upland units by 12:30 p.m. Authorized hunting on other designated areas begins 30 minutes before legal sunrise and ends at legal sunset.

(iii) Hunters age 17 and younger must be under the direct supervision of an adult age 18 or older.

(iv) We allow portable blinds or temporary natural vegetation blinds. You must remove all blinds, decoys, boats, spent shells, marsh chairs, and other equipment from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).

(v) For the Matagorda Island upland units, we require all hunters to check in and out at the hunter check station located on the north end of the Island.

(vi) We allow the use of dogs when hunting.

(2) [Reserved]

(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) The condition set forth at paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section applies.

(ii) On the Blackjack and Tatton Units, we allow hunting subject to the following conditions:

(A) We allow sprays and other non-ingestible attractants.

(B) For the archery and rifle season, hunters must obtain a refuge self-clearing permit (FWS Form 3-2405).

(C) The annual refuge hunt brochure provides bag limits.

(D) Hunters must field dress all harvested game in the field.

(E) We prohibit hunting on or across any part of the refuge road system, or hunting from a vehicle on any refuge road or road right-of-way. Hunters must remain at a minimum of 100 yards (90 meters) off any designated refuge road or structure.

(F) We prohibit hunters using handguns during archery and rifle hunts.

(G) We allow use of portable hunting stands, stalking of game, and still-hunting. There is a limit of two portable stands per permitted hunter. A hunter may set up the portable stands during the scouting day, but must remove them when the hunter's permit expires (see § 27.93 of this chapter).

(H) We allow the use of only biodegradable flagging tape to mark trails and hunt stand location during the archery and rifle hunts on the refuge. You must write your last name in black permanent marker on the first piece of flagging tape nearest the adjacent designated roadway.

(iii) On the Matagorda Island Unit, we allow hunting subject to the following conditions:

(A) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (b)(3)(ii)(A) through (H) of this section apply.

(B) We require all hunters to stay in their designated stand unless they are retrieving game. We prohibit stalking of game.

(C) Each adult hunter may supervise up to two youth hunters.

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing and fishing access on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We prohibit the use of crab traps in marshes within the boundary of any refuge unit.

(ii) We allow the use of no more than two rods while fishing.

(iii) Beginning April 15 through October 15, you may access State waters for fishing at areas designated in the refuge fishing brochure. From October 16 through April 14, we open to fishing only the area adjacent to the picnic area off of the fishing pier; we allow wade fishing access in that immediate area. You may fish all year in the bayside marsh unit and the Gulf side beach of Matagorda Island.

(iv) We prohibit consumption of alcohol or possession of open alcohol containers while fishing.

(c) Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge —

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of mourning, white-wing, rock, and Eurasian-collared dove on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We allow hunters in designated area(s) from 12 p.m. (noon) to legal sunset.

(ii) We require refuge permits (name only).

(iii) We allow the use of dogs to retrieve game birds during the hunt.

(iv) Hunters age 17 and younger must be under the direct supervision of an adult age 18 or older.

(v) Hunter may bring up to two guests. Guests may not use a hunting firearm. Guests must be with the hunter at all times.

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of wild turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (c)(1)(ii) and (iv) of this section apply.

(ii) We require hunters to check in and out daily at designated check station(s).

(iii) The annual refuge hunt brochure provides bag limits.

(iv) We allow the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to retrieve downed game.

(v) We allow scent attractants.

(vi) A hunter may bring one guest. The guest may not use a hunting firearm or other hunting weapon (archery). The guest may assist the hunter in game retrieval or field dressing activities. The guest must be with the hunter at all times.

(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions: The conditions set forth at paragraphs (c)(1)(iv) and (c)(2)(ii) through (vi) of this section apply.

(4) [Reserved]

(d) Big Boggy National Wildlife Refuge —

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck, and coot on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) 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 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.

(ii) Hunters 17 and younger must be under the direct supervision of an adult age 18 or older.

(iii) 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 1 p.m.

(iv) We allow motorized boats, including airboats, in open tidal waters. We prohibit the operation of motorized boats in shallow water through emergent and submergent wetland vegetation, or where bottom gouging would occur. We allow motorized boats to enter shallow water by drifting or polling, or by means of trolling motor where it does not cause damage to vegetation or the bottom.

(v) You must remove all decoys, boats, spent shells, marsh chairs, vegetation (blind material), and other equipment from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).

(vi) We require a minimum distance between hunt parties of 200 yards (180 meters).

(vii) We restrict vehicle access to designated roads and parking areas. You may access hunt units from land by foot or nonmotorized conveyance from designated parking areas or turn-arounds. You may access public waterfowl hunting areas by motorized boat from State waters, where applicable.

(2)-(4) [Reserved]

(e) Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge —

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck, coot, merganser, mourning dove, white-winged dove, Eurasian collared-dove, and rock pigeon on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) Season dates will be concurrent with the State for the September teal season; youth-only season; duck, coot, and merganser regular season in the Texas South Zone; goose regular season in the Texas East Zone; and dove and pigeon season in the Texas South Zone, including special white-winged dove days, except that we prohibit duck (not including the September teal and youth-only seasons), coot, and merganser hunting on the refuge until the last Saturday in October. If the State-specified duck, coot, and merganser regular season opens later than the last Saturday in October, then hunting on the refuge will open consistent with the State-specified season date.

(ii) Hunters age 17 and younger must be under the direct supervision of an adult age 18 or older.

(iii) Hunters may enter the refuge waterfowl 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 1 p.m.

(iv) We allow hunting in the Alligator Marsh public waterfowl hunting area daily during the September teal season and on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays of the regular waterfowl season.

(v) We allow motorized boats, including airboats, in open tidal waters. We prohibit the operation of motorized boats in shallow waters, through emergent and submergent wetland vegetation, or where bottom gouging would occur. We allow motorized boats to enter shallow water by drifting or polling, or by means of trolling motor where it does not cause damage to vegetation or the bottom.

(vi) You must remove all decoys, boats, spent shells, marsh chairs, vegetation (blind material), and other equipment from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).

(vii) We require a minimum distance between hunt parties of 200 yards (180 meters (m)).

(viii) We allow the retrieval of downed waterfowl inside a 100-yard (91-m) retrieval zone west of Middle Bayou. We also allow the retrieval of downed waterfowl inside a 100-yard (91-m) retrieval zone around the portions of Alligator Lake that are open to hunting.

(ix) You may access hunt units from land by foot or nonmotorized conveyance from designated parking areas and turn-arounds. You may access public waterfowl hunting areas by motorized boat from State waters, where applicable.

(x) Hunters may enter the refuge dove/pigeon hunt units no earlier than 30 minutes prior to designated legal shooting time and leave refuge hunt units no later than 30 minutes after legal sunset.

(xi) Hunting dove and pigeon in the Farm Field Unit is only allowed after early teal season and will close before the beginning of general duck season in October.

(xii) Hunters must possess a signed brochure on their person while hunting on the refuge.

(2)-(3) [Reserved]

(4) Sport fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We prohibit the use or possession of alcoholic beverages in all public fishing areas.

(ii) We open Bastrop Bayou Fishing Pier and pull-offs to fishing 24 hours a day.

(iii) We prohibit the use of trotlines, sail lines, set lines, jugs, gigs, spears, bush hooks, snatch hooks, crossbows, noodling, or bows and arrows of any type.

(iv) Anglers age 17 and older fishing in Cannan Bend Recreation Area must possess a day or annual fishing pass and a signed fishing brochure on their person.

(v) The condition set forth at paragraph (e)(1)(v) of this section applies.

(f) Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge —

(1) Migratory bird hunting. We allow hunting of mourning dove, white-winged dove, and Eurasian collared-dove on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We require hunters to obtain a Special Use Permit (FWS Form 3-1383-G).

(ii) Hunters age 17 and younger (“youth hunters”) must be under the direct supervision of an adult age 18 or older (“adult supervisor”).

(iii) We limit hunting to no more than 6 days with a maximum of 12 hunters, during the concurrent pheasant/quail season as governed by the State of Texas hunting season.

(iv) Hunting hours will be from 30 minutes before legal sunrise until noon.

(v) All hunters must check in and out at refuge headquarters.

(vi) Bag limits will be determined annually for each species, but will never exceed the limits set by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of ring-necked pheasant, northern bobwhite, and scaled quail on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (f)(1)(ii), (iii), and (v) of this section apply.

(ii) Hunting hours will be from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

(iii) We allow only shotguns for pheasant and quail hunting.

(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer, mule deer, and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) The condition set forth at paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this section applies.

(ii) After legal sunset, hunters may be in designated camping areas only. We prohibit hunters in all other areas of the refuge after legal sunset.

(iii) During the youth hunt, each adult supervisor may supervise only one youth hunter. A youth hunter may have up to two adult supervisors.

(4) [Reserved]

(g) Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

(1) [Reserved]

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow the hunting of Eastern gray and fox squirrel on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) Squirrel hunting on the refuge will open with the close of the white-tailed deer season in January and close February 28. The season will reopen from May 1 through May 31.

(ii) Hunters must possess and carry a signed refuge hunt brochure while hunting.

(iii) We allow the use of shotgun only.

(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) The refuge will determine season dates and bag limits.

(ii) The condition set forth at paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this section applies.

(iii) Hunters age 17 and younger must be under the direct supervision of an adult age 18 or older.

(iv) You may hunt feral hog during any established white-tailed deer refuge hunting season. You must obtain and possess a refuge signed hunt brochure and may only use legal weapons for the current hunting season.

(v) We allow hunters to access the refuge no more than 2 hours before legal sunrise and no more than 2 hours after legal sunset.

(vi) You may participate in the refuge firearms drawn deer hunt only with a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department-drawn hunt permit.

(vii) We allow the use of only portable blinds and tree stands on the refuge. You must remove blinds, tree stands, and all other personal equipment from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter).

(viii) We allow all-terrain vehicles for medically documented disabled hunters by Special Use Permit (FWS Form 3-1383-G only).

(4) [Reserved]

(h) Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge —(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of mourning dove on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) You must possess and carry a signed refuge hunt brochure.

(ii) Hunters age 17 and younger must be under the direct supervision of an adult age 18 or older.

(iii) We require hunters to self-check-in and self-check-out (FWS Form 3-2405), with the exception of Nocona Unit.

(iv) We prohibit falconry.

(v) We allow the use of dogs to retrieve game.

(vi) We allow only approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)) for all hunts on the refuge.

(vii) We prohibit hunting within 150 feet (45 meters) of any day use area or walking trail.

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of fox squirrel and Eastern cottontail rabbit in the months of January, February, and September on designated areas of the refuge and subject to the following condition: The conditions set forth at paragraphs (h)(1)(i) through (vii) of this section apply.

(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer, feral hog, and wild turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We require a limited hunt permit (name only) for controlled hunts for archery deer, hunts for feral hog, and spring wild turkey hunts.

(ii) We require feral hog and turkey hunters to self-check-in and self-check-out (FWS Form 3-2405), with the exception of Nocona Unit.

(iii) We require controlled deer hunters to check in and out (FWS Form 3-2405) at the refuge check station.

(iv) We allow muzzleloaders, bow and arrow, and shotguns only for feral hog and spring turkey hunts. You may possess only lead-free, approved nontoxic (steel, bismuth, copper, or tungsten; see § 32.2(k)) bullets, slugs, and shot (00 buck for hogs, no shell larger than #4 shot size for turkey).

(v) We require all hunters to check-in, show proof of personal identification, and produce a valid limited hunt permit (name only) prior to the hunt.

(vi) We limit each hunter to one stand, which the hunter may place on the refuge during the day preceding each hunt. You must remove all stands by legal sunset on the last day of each hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter).

(vii) Hunters must check all game harvested during limited hunts at the refuge check station the same day of the kill and prior to leaving the refuge for the day.

(viii) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (h)(1)(ii) and (v) of this section apply.

(ix) We require proof of completion of a bow hunter education course for all archery deer hunting.

(x) We allow hunting only from stands or blinds, or by stalking.

(xi) We prohibit cutting of trees or limbs greater than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters).

(xii) We allow hunters with valid limited permits to place hunt stands on trees the day before their hunt segment begins, but they must first check-in at the hunter check station. They may not enter any hunt unit until 8 a.m., and they must leave the unit by 2 p.m. We will disqualify anyone in violation from hunting.

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge and subject to the following conditions:

(i) We open Lake Texoma and connected streams to bank fishing with pole and line, rod and reel, or hand line year-round.

(ii) We allow wade fishing from March 15 through October 1 annually from all areas except Refuge Road, Wildlife Drive, Plover Road, Tern Road, and Egret Road.

(iii) We allow fishing in refuge ponds from March 15 through September 30 annually, with the exception of Refuge Road pond, which is open year-round.

(iv) We prohibit the use of glass containers, plastic jugs, and/or plastic bottles as floats on trotlines.

(v) You may only take bait for personal use while fishing in refuge waters as governed by Texas State law.

(vi) We allow the use of bow and arrow to take nongame fish on refuge waters except from Refuge Road, Wildlife Drive, Plover Road, Tern Road, and Egret Road.

(vii) We prohibit limb lines, throw lines, jug lines, seine nets, noodling, and yo-yos.

(viii) We prohibit taking frog, turtle, and mussel from refuge lands and waters (see § 27.21 of this chapter).

(i) Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge.

(1)-(2) [Reserved]

(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer, feral hog, nilgai antelope, other exotic ungulates, and American alligator on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We allow the incidental take of nilgai antelope, feral hog, and other rarely observed exotic ungulates (such as fallow deer, axis deer, sika deer, Barbary sheep, and black buck) during all refuge hunts, with the exception of American alligator hunts.

(ii) We require hunters to attend refuge hunter orientation before hunting on the refuge. We require each hunter to obtain and carry with them a signed and dated refuge hunt brochure in addition to the State hunt permit.

(iii) Bag limits for species hunted on the refuge are provided in the refuge hunt brochure annually.

(iv) We allow a scouting period prior to the commencement of each refuge hunt period. A permitted hunter and a limit of two non-permitted individuals may enter the hunt units during the scouting period, which begins after hunter orientation and ends at legal sunset. Each hunter must clearly display a Vehicle Validation Tag (FWS Form 3-2405) face up on the vehicle dashboard when scouting and hunting.

(v) We allow hunters to enter the refuge 11⁄2 hours before legal sunrise during their permitted hunt periods. Hunters must leave the hunt units no later than 1 hour after State legal shooting hours.

(vi) Hunters may access hunt units only by foot or bicycle.

(vii) We allow hunting from portable stands or by stalking and still hunting. There is a limit of one blind or stand per permitted hunter. Hunters must attach hunter identification (permit number or State license number) to the blind or stand. Hunters must remove all blinds and stands at the end of the permitted hunt period (see § 27.93 of this chapter).

(viii) During American alligator hunts, we allow hunters to leave hooks set over only one night period at a time; set lines must be checked daily.

(ix) Hunters must field dress all harvested big game in the field and check the game at the hunt check station before removal from the refuge. Hunters may use a nonmotorized cart to assist with the transportation of harvested game animals.

(x) We prohibit the killing or wounding of a game animal and then intentionally or knowingly failing to make a reasonable effort to retrieve and include it in the hunter's bag limit.

(4) Sport fishing. We allow fishing and crabbing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We allow only pole and line, rod and reel, hand line, dip net, and cast net for fishing. We prohibit the use of crab traps or pots for crabbing.

(ii) Anglers must attend all fishing lines, crabbing equipment, and other fishing devices at all times.

(iii) Inside the refuge boundary on San Martin Lake, we allow bank and wade fishing within a designated area, which may be accessed only on foot.

(j) Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge —

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped dove on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We require hunters to obtain a refuge hunt permit (signed refuge hunt brochure) and to possess and carry that signed refuge hunt brochure at all times during the designated hunt period. Hunters must also display the vehicle placard (part of the refuge hunt permit) while participating in the designated hunt period.

(ii) Hunters age 17 and younger must be under the direct supervision of an adult age 18 or older.

(iii) You may access the refuge during your permitted hunt period from 1 hour before legal hunt time to 1 hour after legal hunt time. You must only hunt during legal hunt hours.

(iv) We restrict hunt participants to those listed on the refuge hunt permit (hunter, non-hunting chaperone, and non-hunting assistant).

(v) We allow hunters to use bicycles on designated routes of travel.

(vi) We allow the use of dogs to retrieve doves during the hunt.

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of wild turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (j)(1)(i) through (v) of this section apply.

(ii) We allow turkey hunting during the spring season only.

(iii) You may only harvest one bearded turkey per hunter.

(iv) We prohibit the killing, wounding, taking, or possession of game animals and then intentionally or knowingly failing to make a reasonable effort to retrieve or keep the edible portions of the animal and include it in your bag limit.

(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer, feral hog, nilgai antelope, javelina, and other exotic ungulates (as defined by the State of Texas to include fallow deer, axis deer, sika deer, Barbary sheep, and black buck) on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (j)(1)(i) through (v) and (2)(iv) of this section apply.

(ii) We allow only free-standing blinds or tripods. Hunters may set them up during the scouting days preceding each permitted hunt day and must take them down by the end of each hunt day (see § 27.93 of this chapter). Hunters must mark and tag all stands with their hunting license number during the period of use.

(iii) Hunters must field-dress all harvested big game in the field.

(iv) Hunters may use nonmotorized dollies or carts off of improved roads or trails to haul carcasses to a parking area.

(v) We prohibit the use of big game decoys.

(4) [Reserved]

(k) McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge —

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck, and coot on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) 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 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.

(ii) You must possess and carry a current signed refuge hunting permit (signed refuge hunt brochure) while hunting on all units of the refuge.

(iii) Hunters age 17 and younger must be under the direct supervision of an adult age 18 or older.

(iv) 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.

(v) You may access hunt areas by foot, nonmotorized watercraft, outboard motorboat, or airboat. Airboats may not exceed 10 horsepower with direct drive with a propeller length of 48 inches (120 centimeters) or less. Engines may not exceed 2 cylinders and 484 cc.

(vi) 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 (FWS Form 3-2405), including those accessing the unit from the beach along the Brine Line or Perkins Levee.

(vii) 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.

(viii) We only allow hunting in the Spaced Hunt Units on Saturdays, Sundays, and Tuesdays of the regular waterfowl season. We allow a maximum of four hunters per area. Hunters must possess and carry Special Fee Area Permits (signed refuge hunt brochure) while hunting.

(ix) 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.

(x) On inland waters of the refuge hunt area 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 horsepower or less and utilizing a propeller 9 inches (22.5 centimeters) in diameter or less during the hunting season.

(xi) We allow portable blinds and temporary natural vegetation blinds. You must remove all blinds, decoys, boats, spent shells, marsh chairs, and other equipment from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).

(xii) We require a minimum distance between hunt parties, and between hunters and drivable roads and buildings, of 200 yards (183 meters).

(xiii) We allow the use of dogs when hunting.

(2)-(3) [Reserved]

(4) Sport fishing. We allow fishing and crabbing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) 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.

(ii) We allow cast netting for bait for personal use along waterways in areas open to the public and along public roads.

(iii) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (k)(1)(v) and (x) of this section apply.

(iv) We prohibit mooring to water control structures.

(l) Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge —

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of mourning dove, white-winged dove, and Eurasian collared-dove on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) Hunters must possess and carry a signed refuge hunt brochure while hunting.

(ii) During the dove season set by the State of Texas, we limit hunting to no more than 6 days with a maximum of 12 hunters per season.

(iii) We allow hunting from 1⁄2 hour before legal sunrise until 12 p.m. (noon).

(iv) We require hunters to check in and out at refuge headquarters.

(v) Hunters must exit the refuge no later than 45 minutes after legal sunset, unless they are camping in a designated camping area. From 45 minutes after legal sunset until 30 minutes before legal sunrise, we prohibit hunters in all areas of the refuge except designated camping areas.

(vi) We allow the use of dogs when hunting.

(vii) We only allow shotguns.

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow the hunting of Northern bobwhite and scaled (blue) quail on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (l)(1)(i), and (iv) through (vii) of this section apply.

(ii) During the first 2 weeks of the quail season set by the State of Texas, we limit hunting to no more than 6 days with a maximum of 12 hunters per season.

(iii) We allow hunting from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

(3) Big game hunting. We allow the hunting of white-tailed deer and mule deer, and the incidental take of feral hog, on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (l)(1)(i), (iv), and (v) of this section apply.

(ii) Between October and January, we limit hunting to no more than 20 days with a maximum of 8 hunters per season.

(iii) You may use only high-powered rifles of .242/6mm caliber or larger and archery equipment to hunt big game on the refuge.

(4) [Reserved]

(m) Neches River National Wildlife Refuge —

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of ducks, coot, and merganser on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) Hunters may enter the refuge no earlier than 4:30 a.m. We allow hunting from the State-designated legal shooting time until 12 p.m. (noon). Hunters must leave refuge hunt units by 1 p.m.

(ii) In Dead Water unit only, we allow the use of floating craft and motor boats, but only if they are propelled by paddling, push pole, or electric trolling motor.

(iii) We prohibit hunting within 50 yards (45 meters) of any road or trail, and within 200 yards (183 meters) of any building.

(iv) We require each hunter to obtain and carry with them a signed refuge hunt brochure in addition to the State hunt permit.

(v) You must remove all boats, blinds, temporary blinds, stands decoys, and other personal equipment following each hunt day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).

(vi) We allow the use of dogs when hunting.

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of Eastern gray and fox squirrel, cottontail and swamp rabbit, raccoon, beaver, and coyote subject to the following conditions:

(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (m)(1)(iii), (iv), and (vi) of this section apply.

(ii) We allow incidental take of beaver and coyote during any refuge hunt with the weapons legal for that hunt, subject to applicable State seasons and regulations.

(iii) We allow the hunting of raccoon and coyote from legal sunset to legal sunrise. We allow artificial lighting for hunting raccoon and coyote.

(iv) We require that refuge hunters turn in the Harvest Report (FWS Form 3-2542) within 2 weeks of the end of your hunt.

(v) We allow squirrel, rabbit, and raccoon hunting on the refuge from October 1 to 23.

(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (m)(1)(iii) and (iv) of this section apply.

(ii) We allow incidental take of feral hog during any refuge hunt with the weapons legal for that hunt, subject to applicable State seasons and regulations.

(iii) We require a Harvest Report (FWS Form 3-2542) within 2 weeks of the end of your hunt. Failure to submit the Harvest Report will render the hunter ineligible for the next year's hunt.

(iv) We require a minimum distance between hunt parties of 150 yards (137 meters).

(v) We prohibit the use of dogs when feral hog hunting.

(n) San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge —

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck, and coot on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) 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 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.

(ii) Hunters age 17 and younger must be under the direct supervision of an adult age 18 or older.

(iii) 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 1 p.m.

(iv) We require hunters to use the Waterfowl Lottery Application (FWS Form 3-2439, Hunt Application—National Wildlife Refuge System) for the Sargent Permit Waterfowl Hunt Area. Hunters must abide by all terms and conditions set by the permit.

(v) We allow motorized boats, including airboats, in open tidal waters. We prohibit the operation of motorized boats in shallow waters, through emergent and submergent wetland vegetation, or where bottom gouging would occur. We allow motorized boats to enter shallow water by drifting or polling, or by means of trolling motor where it does not cause damage to vegetation or the bottom.

(vi) You must remove all decoys, boats, spent shells, marsh chairs, vegetation (blind material), and other equipment from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).

(vii) We require a minimum distance between hunt parties of 200 yards (180 meters).

(viii) We restrict vehicle access to designated roads. You may access hunt units from land by foot or nonmotorized conveyance from designated parking areas or turn-arounds. You may access public waterfowl hunting areas by motorized boat from State waters, where applicable.

(2)-(3) [Reserved]

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We prohibit the use or possession of alcoholic beverages in all public fishing areas.

(ii) The condition set forth at paragraph (n)(1)(v) of this section applies.

(o) Texas Point National Wildlife Refuge —

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck, and coot on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) 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 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.

(ii) You must possess and carry a current signed refuge hunting permit (signed refuge hunt brochure) while hunting on all hunt units of the refuge.

(iii) Hunters age 17 and younger must be under the direct supervision of an adult age 18 or older.

(iv) 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.

(v) 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.

(vi) You may access hunt areas by foot, nonmotorized watercraft, outboard motorboat, or airboat. Airboats may not exceed 10 horsepower with direct drive with a propeller length of 48 inches (120 centimeters) or less. Engines may not exceed 2 cylinders and 484 cc.

(vii) On inland waters of the refuge hunt area 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 horsepower or less and utilizing a propeller 9 inches (22.5 centimeters) in diameter or less during the hunting season.

(viii) We allow portable blinds and temporary natural vegetation blinds. You must remove all blinds, decoys, boats, spent shells, marsh chairs, and other equipment from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).

(ix) We require a minimum distance between hunt parties of 200 yards (180 meters).

(x) We allow the use of dogs when hunting.

(2)-(3) [Reserved]

(4) Sport fishing. We allow fishing and crabbing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We 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.

(ii) We allow cast netting for bait by individuals along waterways in areas open to the public and along public roads.

(iii) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (o)(1)(vi) and (vii) of this section apply.

(iv) We prohibit mooring to water control structures.

(p) Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge —

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of duck, merganser, and coot on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We only allow hunting on Champion Lake by refuge lottery drawingwith a refuge-issued permit (signed hunt brochure).

(ii) We only allow hunting on Champion Lake on Saturdays and Sundays during the State duck season. Hunters may not enter the refuge until 5 4:30 a.m. and must be out of the hunt area by 12 p.m. (noon).

(iii) You must remove all blinds, decoys, shell casings, and other personal equipment following each hunt day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).

(iv)

We allow the use of dogs when retrieving game.

(

v

iv) Hunters age

17

16 and younger must be under the direct supervision of an adult age

18

17 or older.

(

vi

v) We require a minimum distance between hunt parties of 150 yards (135 meters).

(vi) We allow motors of 10 horsepower or less on Champion Lake.

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting for squirrel, and incidental take of rabbit, on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We require hunters to possess a refuge permit (signed refuge hunt brochure). issued by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). Permits are issued by a lottery drawing. The hunter must carry the nontransferable permit at all times while hunting.

(ii) We require that refuge hunters turn in the Harvest Report (FWS Form 3-2542) by the date specified on the permit. Failure to submit the report will render the hunter ineligible for the next year's limited upland game hunt.

(iii)

The condition set forth at paragraph (p)(1)(

v

iii) of this section applies.

(

iv

iii) We allow all-terrain vehicle use for hunters with disabilities in designated units.

(

v

iv) We require a minimum distance between hunt parties of 200 yards (180 meters).

Hunters must visibly wear 400 square inches (2,600 square centimeters) of hunter orange above the waist and a solid hunter-orange hat or cap.(vi)

(v) Hunters may enter the refuge no earlier than 4:30 a.m. We allow hunting from

1⁄2 hour

30 minutes before legal sunrise to 30 minutes after legal sunset only during the days specified on the permit.

(vii

Hunters must be off the refuge 11⁄2 hours after legal sunset.

(vi) Hunters may place no more than one temporary stand on the refuge. Hunters may place the stand during the scouting week before the hunt begins and must remove it the day the hunt ends (see § 27.93 of this chapter). Hunters must label blinds with the name of the permit holder.

We prohibit hunting or erection of blinds on refuge roads or mowed/maintained trails.

(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer, and incidental take of feral hog, on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We require a refuge permit (signed refuge hunt brochure) and Harvest Report (FWS Form 3-2542). Hunters must turn in both forms by the date specified on the permit. Failure to submit the Harvest Report will render the hunter ineligible for the next year's limited big game hunt. Drawings are by lotteryhunters to possess a TPWD-issued permit. Permits are issued by a lottery drawing. The hunter must carry the nontransferable permit at all times while hunting.

(ii) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (p)(1)(viii) and (p)(2)(iviii) through (viivi) of this section apply.

(iii) We allow archery hunting during a of white-tailed deer during the refuge designated 23-day archery season.

(iv) We allow gun hunting of white-tailed deer during the State-designated general gun season in two 9-day “mini-seasons” and during the State-designated muzzleloader season.

(4) Sport fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We only allow fishing with pole and line, rod and reel, or hand-held line.

(ii) We prohibit the use of trotlines, setlines, bows and arrows, gigs, spears, fish traps, crab/crawfish traps, and/or nets.

(iii) We prohibit the harvesting of frog or turtle (see § 27.21 of this chapter).

(iv) We allow fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset.

[84 FR 47675, Sept. 10, 2019, as amended at 85 FR 54140, Aug. 31, 2020; 86 FR 48876, Aug. 31, 2021; 88 FR 74065, Oct. 30, 2023; 89 FR 88168, Nov. 7, 2024]