With a permit, hunters may take white-tailed deer, squirrels, rabbits, wild boar, and waterfowl, except those for the Lake Bayou Game Unit.
KOUNTZE, Texas — The Big Thicket National Preserve will begin issuing this season’s free hunting permits on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, according to Superintendent Wayne Prokopetz.
Available 2022-23 permits will be issued through February 27, 2023.
Officials will issue the permits at the reserve’s visitor center from 9 am to 5 pm daily. The visitor center is located eight miles north of Kountze at the intersection of US 69 and FM 420 at 6102 FM 420 Road.
With a permit, hunters may take white-tailed deer, squirrels, rabbits, wild boar, and waterfowl, except those for the Lake Bayou Game Unit. The Bayou Lake Game Drive is an exclusive area for waterfowl.
Everyone who hunts on the reservation must have a Big Thicket Hunting Permit. Hunters must show their current Texas hunting license and current driver’s license to obtain a Big Thicket hunting permit.
Hunters must apply in person and may only hunt in one unit. Parents and guardians can no longer obtain permits for their children.
The reserve observes the state of Texas hunting seasons from October 1, 2022 to February 28, 2023.
Permit holders may harvest additional wild hogs on any hunting unit except Lake Bayou during the special hog season, which runs from January 1, 2023 through February 28, 2023.
Bayou Lake waterfowl hunting will also remain open through February 28, 2023.
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From a statement from the Big Thicket National Preserve:
Hunting permit registration opens September 1, 2022
KOUNTZE, Texas, August 23, 2022 – Big Thicket National Preserve Superintendent Wayne Prokopetz announced today that the reserve will begin issuing this season’s free hunting permits on Thursday, September 1, 2022. The permits available for 2022/2023 will air until February 27, 2023.
Permits will be issued at the reserve’s visitor center from 9 am to 5 pm daily. The visitor center is located 8 miles north of Kountze at the intersection of US 69 and FM 420 at 6102 FM 420 Road. Big Thicket hunting permits allow hunters to take white-tailed deer, squirrels, rabbits, wild hogs, and waterfowl, except those for the Lake Bayou Game Unit, which is a waterfowl-only area. The preserve observes the state of Texas hunting seasons from October 1, 2022 through February 28, 2023. Permit holders may take additional wild hogs on any hunting unit except Lake Bayou during the special hunting season. hogs, which runs from January 1, 2023, through February 28, 2023. Bayou Lake waterfowl hunting will also remain open through February 28, 2023.
- Everyone who hunts in the Big Thicket National Preserve must have a Big Thicket Hunting Permit.
- You must show both your current Texas hunting license and your current driver’s license to obtain a Big Thicket hunting permit.
- All hunters must apply in person and may hunt in a single unit. Parents or guardians will no longer be able to obtain permits for their children. All hunters must be present to obtain a permit.
- The deadline to return Hunter Harvest Cards after the 2022/2023 season will be April 1, 2023.
The number of permits issued for each hunting unit varies depending on the size of the unit and the wildlife management objectives for that unit. The following permit numbers are available, per hunting unit: Unit Beaumont–200; Beech Creek Unit–150; Big Sandy Creek Unit–400; Jack Gore Baygall Unit–400; Lance Rosier Unit–900; Neches Lower Unit–150; Bayou Lake Unit–50.