Hunting on the NFGT
Hunting in the national forests and grasslands can be a rewarding experience. The National Forests and Grasslands Officials would like to remind hunters of guidelines designed to make their hunting trips safe and enjoyable.
“It is the hunter’s responsibility to know the regulations and game limits while hunting in national forests and grasslands,” said Murphy Semetko, U.S. Forest Service patrol captain.
“Hunters should check bag limits for the county where they are hunting and refer to the current year hunting booklets from Texas Parks and Wildlife for information to avoid citations. Baiting for wildlife or hunting over baited areas is NOT allowed on the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas.”
Semetko also shared a few helpful reminders to keep in mind as you visit the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas on your next hunting adventure, only portable deer stands are allowed in the national forests and grasslands and are limited to 72 hours in one location. To prevent damage to trees, the stands must not be nailed to trees. When hunters fail to remove their deer stands, it causes damage to forest land and creates an expensive, time-consuming cleanup.
Vehicles should not be parked near gates or in areas that would impede traffic and block roads.
Also, Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use on the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas is restricted. There is one designated OHV trail on the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas and that is the Multiple Use Trail located in the Sam Houston National Forest.
Visitors to the NFGT are encouraged to enjoy the great outdoors, but it is most important that visitors return home safely.
Hunting FAQ's
What kind of licenses do I need to hunt on Forest Service land?
General Forest requires hunters to obtain a Texas state hunting license.What kind of licenses or permits do I need to hunt on a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) on Forest Service land?
Texas Hunting License and Annual Public Hunting Permit (also referred to as ‘Type II’ permit) on WMAs, with the required endorsements; and/or stamps. Wildlife Management Areas in the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas include the Alabama Creek WMA in the Davy Crockett National Forest, Bannister WMA in the Angelina National Forest, Caddo WMA in the Caddo National Grassland and the Moore Plantation WMA in the Sabine National Forest. The entire Sam Houston National Forest is a wildlife management area.Antlerless Permits for WMAs
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will conduct Antlerless Deer permit applications and selections through their online Texas Public Hunt System. If selected, deer tags will be mailed in mid-October for the selected WMA area only. Apply here for Antlerless Deer PermitWhy do we not issue antlerless permits for the General Forest areas?
TPWD determines if antlerless permits can be issued on National Forests and Grasslands in Texas. Due to challenges with collecting accurate harvest records and deer population data, TPWD does not issue antlerless permits for the General ForestCan a Youth harvest an antlerless deer without a Permit on U.S. Forest Service Lands?
Yes, during youth-only seasons.- Is a Limited use Permit required to hunt on National Forest?
No, the U.S. Forest Service is exempt from the Limited Use Permit
For Season Dates, bag limits and required license and permits on WMA refer to TPWD Public Lands Map Booklet
https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/hunting/seasons/statewide/
What kind of guns and ammo can I use to kill a deer?
No rim-fire during Deer gun season
Can you use buckshot for deer?
Yes, in the General Forest No, in the WMA
Slugs only in WMA
*Possession of buckshot in WMA is illegal*What does it mean to have a loaded gun?
According to the Public Hunting Lands book…a firearm containing a live round of ammunition within the chamber and/or magazine with magazine in the firearm or, if muzzle loading, one which has a cap on the nipple or a priming charge in the pan.
*A removable magazine can be loaded if it is not in the firearm.Can I use suppressors?
It is legal to harvest game animals with suppressors in Texas.Can I carry a handgun while bow hunting?
Yes, but cannot be used for hunting purposes.Can I carry a loaded handgun while just walking out in the woods scouting for personal protection?
Yes, if it is legal for you to be in possession of a firearmWhere can I sight in my gun? Except for the Caddo-LBJ National Grasslands
It is legal to target shoot in the General Forest, if you do not shoot from, down, across a road, have a sufficient back stop (not a live tree), and pick up your trash (targets, empty shells, etc.) when you leave. This is an example of referring to the Code of Federal Regulations.- Target shooting is prohibited in the WMA on all units of the NFGT:
Angelina NF, Davy Crockett NF, Sabine NF, Sam Houston NF, Caddo NG.
CFR 261.58(m) states PROHIBITED: DISCHARGING A FIREARM, AIR RIFLE, OR GAS GUN FROM, INTO, OR ACROSS ANY PARKING AREA, TRAIL, BOAT RAMP OR FOREST DEVELOPMENT ROAD.
Hunter Camp Maps
Please follow the link provided to apply for Adult and Youth Antlerless Permits available on the following Wildlife Management Areas on the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas.
A valid Annual Public Land Permit is required to apply for permits listed below:
- Alabama Creek WMA
- Bannister WMA
- Caddo National Grasslands WMA - Bois d'Arc Unit
- Caddo National Grasslands WMA - Ladonia Unit
- Moore Plantation WMA
- Sam Houston National Forest WMA
Selected Applicants will be mailed deer tags mid-October.
For information on antlerless deer permits, contact TPWD at hunt@tpwd.texas.gov or 512-389-4505