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Hunters for the Hungry in Texas

Texas has a program where hunters can help the less fortunate by providing venison for their tables. The statewide wild game donation program is called Hunters for the Hungry and allows sportsmen to provide a healthy source of protein to Texans in need.

The mission of the Hunters for the Hungry is to alleviate hunger and malnutrition in Texas, provide a meaningful outlet for hunters wishing to help their communities, and to promote stewardship of the environment through sensible wildlife management plans.

So, how does Hunters for the Hungry work? Well, hunters bring their tagged, legally harvested deer to a participating meat processor, and pay a nominal fee to cover basic processing costs. The meat processor grinds the venison into burger, packages and stores it for local food assistance providers to pick up.

A deer processing fee of about $35 helps to cover the costs of the processor’s equipment, labor, and other expenses. The processing fee may be tax deductible for the hunter, but consult a tax advisor for more information. The processor provides a receipt for such purpose.

The deer meat will then be donated to the Hunters for the Hungry program and is distributed to families and individuals in need through local food assistance providers such as food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, etc.

Charitable food assistance agencies in Texas seeking Hunters for the Hungry donations should contact TACAA at (800) 992-9767, ext. 506, to learn more. Individuals in need of food assistance, should phone 211 or visit 211texas.org for help. Hunters for the Hungry participating meat processors by city are listed below. If there is a notation after the business listing it denotes that thier charge may be above the customary $30 to $40 charge and they have special requirement for game.

Hunters for the Hungry Processors by County:

ABILENE Stephens Wild Game Processing 4132 Vine (325) 695-4868
ABILENE The Deer Shop 4535 Iberis Rd (325) 260-4364
ALBANY Escalon’s Buck ‘N Hog 6490 Highway 180 W. (325) 762-3800
AQUILLA R & R Processing 164 HCR 2218 (254) 694-2801
AUSTIN Hudson’s Sausage Company 1800 S. Congress (512) 445-6611; Skinned & quartered preferred, Over $35 skin on
AUSTIN Texas Sausage Company 2915 East 12th Street (512) 472-6707; Skinned & quartered only
BALLINGER Owen’s Deer Processing 500 Hutchings Avenue (325) 365-2430
BAYTOWN Going Custom Slaughter & Deer Proc 6813 East Wallisville Rd (281) 421-2237
BELLVILLE Bellville Meat Market 36 S Front (979) 865-5782
BOERNE Farmer’s Meat Market 342 N Main (830) 249-8063; Skinned & quartered preferred, Over $35 skin on
BOGATA Rivercrest FFA 4126 US Hwy 271 S (903) 632-5989; Skinned deer only
BRADY Brady Co-op Locker 113 Elm St (325) 597-2440; Over $35
BRECKENRIDGE Ray’s Grocery & Market 1117 West Walker (254) 559-2341
BRONTE B & K Deer Processing 114 N Washington (325) 473-4015
BROWNWOOD Perks Deer Proc & Cold Storage 5100 FM 2126 (325) 643-5022
BURLESON Lee Deer Processing 7164 Drury Cross Road (817) 561-1975
CALDWELL Texas Chaw & Meat Products 1109 Commerce St. (979) 567-7448
CANADIAN Scroggins’ Meat Processing 620 North 2nd (806) 323-6231; Over $35
CASTROVILLE Dziuk’s Meat Market 608 Hwy 90 West (830) 538-3082
CASTROVILLE R & R Alsatian Sausage & Products 1034 Country Lane (830) 931-2430
CISCO Rust Deer Plant 8913 Hwy 6 East (254) 442-1653
CLEVELAND Reed’s Meat Processing 7187 FM 1010 (281) 689-0253
CLIFTON Big Buck Meat Market and Deer Proc 814 N. Avenue G (254) 675-2825
CLUTE Brazoswood High School 302 W Brazoswood Dr (979) 730-7300 X 29329; Skinned & quartered only
CLYDE Lone Wolf Wild Game Processing 3573 S. FM 604 (325) 893-3003
COLEMAN Halls Custom Packing 3500 Hwy 84 North (325) 625-4813
CROSS PLAINS Cross Plains Frozen Food 125 N Avenue D (254) 725-7571
DANBURY C & R Smokehouse 1722 Avenue C (979) 922-1048
DEKALB Dekalb FFA 101Maple (903) 667-2061; Skinned & quartered only
DETROIT Detroit Locker Plant 105 Garner St (903) 674-6911
DILLEY Sou-Tex Sausage Company 701 W. Hwy 85 (830) 426-6527
D’HANIS The Country Mart 7390 CR 525 (830) 363-7286
DUBLIN Clay’s Processing & Smokehouse 111 West Elm St. (254) 445-4180
FAIRFIELD J & S Meat Processing 180 FM 833 E (903) 389-6169
FORT STOCKTON Miller Meat Company 1013 North Nelson (432) 336-2979
FREDERICKSBURG Hill Country Deer Processing 2162 N US Hwy 87 (830) 997-6043; Over $35
GARLAND David’s Meat Market, Inc. 4010 N Jupiter Rd. (972) 495-8315; Skinned deer only
GOREE Trainham Ice & Meat 205 N. 5th Street (940) 422-5321
GRANBURY C & J Butcher Shop 400 South Morgan Street (817) 579-8077
HAMILTON Hamilton Quality Meats 1205 S Rice (254) 386-4646; Over $35
HARPER LDR Processing and Meat Market 16656 Hwy 290 West (830) 669-2024; Over $35
HEBBRONVILLE Coronado’s Wild Game Proc 911 N Elm (361) 527-2500
HELOTES Schott’s Meat Processing 20145 Bandera Road (210) 695-5411
HOOKS Hooks FFA 401 Ave A (903) 547-2215; Skinned deer only
HOUSTON Clear Lake Cuts – CCISD 2929 Bay Area Blvd (281) 284-2093; Skinned deer only
IMPERIAL Buena Vista High Imperial FFA 208 N Lincoln (432) 536-2261; Skinned deer preferred
INGRAM Woodbury Taxidermy & Wildgame 3286 Junction Hwy (830) 367-5855
JASPER Jasper Quality Meats Inc. 549 E. Gibson (409) 384-9924; Over $35
JOHNSON CITY Harvest House Farms 506 North Nugent (830) 868-7253; Over $35
KATY Midway Food Market 5901 Highway Blvd (281) 391-3101
KEMP C & D Game Processing 29085 CR 2100 (903) 498-3411
KERRVILLE Milton Bernhard Meat Processing 2920 Junction Hwy (830) 367-2995
KINGSVILLE Hibler Wild Game Inc. 207 E 5th St (361) 221-9747; Over $35
KOUNTZE Kountze High School 1488 FM 1293 (409) 246-3474; Skinned deer preferred
LAREDO JW Nixon High School FFA 2000 Plum (956) 795-3849 EXT 163; Skinned deer only
LAREDO Ruiz Custom Meats 2119 Lyon St (956) 724-3013; Over $35
LLANO Miiller’s Llano Smokehouse 705 W. Young (325) 247-4450; Over $35
MARBLE FALLS Hill Country Fine Meats 1405 State St (830) 693-7024; Over $35
MENARD Ranch House Meat Company 303 San Saba St (325) 396-4536
MERIDIAN Meridian Frozen Food Locker 112 East Morgan (254) 435-2803
MERIDIAN Samples Ranch 12089 State Hwy 22 (254) 597-7750
MIDLAND Clark’s and Winford’s Meat Co. 6002 South Hwy 349 (432) 686-8123; Skinned & quartered preferred
MUENSTER Fischer’s Meat Market 304 N Main (940) 759-4211
MUENSTER Walterscheid Meat Company 605 N. Mesquite (940) 759-2744
NEEDVILLE Lad’s Smokehouse & Catering 3731 School Rd (979) 793-6210
NEW BRAUNFELS Granzin’s Meat Market 1644 Old Mcqueeney Rd (830) 625-3510
NEW BRAUNFELS The Rust Game Place 1778 South Hwy 46 (830) 608-1910
NEW ULM Eckermann’s Meat Market 2543 FM 1457 (979) 836-8858
PERRYTON Big 4 Packing 1602 S. Cedar (806) 435-5679; Over $35
PILOT POINT Golden Triangle Meat Plant 203 South Jefferson (940) 686-2456
POST Jackson Brothers Food Locker 121 South Ave H (806) 495-3245
RAYMONDVILLE Rudy’s Meat Market 588 N 10th (956) 689-2186
RIVERSIDE Tallent Sausage & Grocery FM 980 and Hwy 19 (936) 594-2591
ROANOKE Syracuse’s Custom Meats 13794 Old Denton Rd. (817) 379-2230
SAN ANGELO J’s Processing 7000 US Hwy 277 S (325) 651-6175
SAN ANTONIO Broadway Frozen Food Lockers 875 E. Ashby Place, Ste. 3000 (210) 226-3189
SAN SABA Hibler Family Processing 103 E. Wallace (325) 372-5195
SANTA ANNA Santa Anna Wild Game Proc. 503 Wallis Avenue (325) 348-9171
SANTA FE Doreck & Sons Packing Co. 4101 FM 646 North (409) 925-6611
SCHULENBURG Willie Joe’s Processing 2220 Krischke (979) 561-8272
SEYMOUR Bayco Services 205 E McLain (940) 889-2424; Over $35
SLATON Klemke’s Sausage Haus 255 West Garza (806) 828-5394; Over $35
SNOOK Slovacek Sausage Company Hwy 60 West (979) 272-8625
SPRINGTOWN Goober’s Deer Processing LLC 2127 E Hwy 199 (817) 444-1414
THROCKMORTON Escalon’s Buck ‘N Hog 308 S. Reynolds Avenue (940) 849-0656
TYLER Lynch’s Food Store 3400 East Fifth St. (903) 593-1521
UVALDE Uvalde Meat Market & Processing 508 South Wood St. (830) 278-6247
VICTORIA Country Slaughter House 3857 Burroughsville Rd (361) 573-9043; Over $35
VICTORIA Harwell’s Custom Processing 7804 FM 236 (361) 575-5120
WACO Fulton’s Quality Meats 1400 N. Robinson Dr. (254) 662-5608
WEATHERFORD Teel’s Custom Meats 1820 N. Main St. (817) 613-0095
WHITE DEER Clint & Sons Main St (806) 883-7831; Over $35
WILLOW CITY Rabke’s Table Ready Meats 3875 Eckert Rd (830) 685-3266
WINK Home Smoked Meat Processing 402 N Monahans Dr (432) 527-3991
WINNIE Harrington Packing Company 344 Best Rd (409) 296-9794
ZEPHYR M & M Deer Processing 4300 CR 278 (325) 739-2211

Kerr Wildlife Management Area

The 6,693 acre Kerr Wildlife Management Area is located near beautiful Hunt, Texas, in the Texas Hill Country and is owned and operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. This wildlife management area (WMA) was selected as a land base for the Edwards Plateau ecological area to develop and manage wildlife habitats and populations of native wildlife species, provide a site where research of wildlife populations and habitat can be conducted under controlled conditions, and to provide public Texas hunting and recreational use of wildlife in a manner compatible with the resource.

The WMA’s primary mission is to function as a wildlife management, research, and demonstration site for wildlife biologist to conduct wildlife related studies and provide resultant information to resource managers, landowners, and other interested groups or individuals to acquaint them with proven practices in wildlife habitat management. Of course, the Kerr WMA is well known for its genetic and antler work with white-tailed deer, as well as white-tailed deer management.

Principal wildlife species found on the Kerr Wildlife Area include white-tailed deer, bobwhite quail, javelina, wild turkey, mourning dove, fox squirrel, bobcat, raccoon, skunk, armadillo, ring-tailed cat, rabbit, gray fox, and many species of reptiles and migratory birds. The WMA is rich with wildlife, including the endangered black-capped vireo as well as the golden-cheeked warbler.

The Kerr Wildlife Management Area is located at the headwaters of the North Fork of the Guadalupe River. The Kerr WMA is representative of the Edwards Plateau habitat type of Texas.The Area was purchased in by the State of Texas in 1950 under the Pittman-Robertson Act using Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program funds.

The Kerr WMA is open year-round, except closed for Special Permit (draw) hunts. The office is open 8 am to 5 pm on Monday through Friday. Tours are given on the first Friday of every month from August through October.

Kerr Wildlife Management Area
2625 FM 1340
Hunt, TX 78024
830-238-4483

Dove Hunting Workshop at Justin Hurst WMA

Dove hunting kicks off the fall hunting season in Texas each year, but many people, even though interested, have never had an opportunity to learn what hunting is all about. That is about to change for some families that are looking to get outdoors, in addition to testing their ability to shoot.

An innovative public hunting opportunity for newcomers, the Mentored Hunting Permit, will launch this fall with a dove hunting workshop September 19 and 20 at the Justin Hurst Wildlife Management Area (WMA), near Freeport, Texas.

The family-friendly event is designed to introduce participants to hunting and provide hands-on knowledge and experience for hunting dove and other game animals in Texas. The mentored dove hunting workshop will focus on teaching hunting skills, safety, ethics, game processing and preparation, elements of habitat management, and provide guidance and advice for hunting activities in the future.

As part of the workshop, participants will be offered the opportunity to take part in a mentored dove hunt accompanied by an experienced hunter.

Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis and space is limited to 20 participants at the Hurst WMA. Information about the event, including registration form, is available by calling urban wildlife biologist Richard Heilbrun at 210-688-6444. Cost for the workshop is $35 and the Mentored Hunting Permit, which covers cost for access to the dove hunt, is $25.

Participants must also have a valid Texas hunting license and Texas Migratory Game Bird Stamp and have satisfied Hunter Education Certification requirements or purchase the Hunter Education Deferral prior to the weekend of September 19.

“The mentored hunting program is intended to explore possible ways to increase hunter recruitment,” said Linda Campbell, director of public hunting with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “By offering these educational workshops and mentored hunting opportunities, we hope to provide an effective vehicle for people who are not from traditional hunting backgrounds to learn about and get started in hunting.”

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved the new hunter recruitment initiative as a means of providing opportunities for people interested in participating in a multi-day hunter recruitment workshop on a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department WMA. Participation will be by reservation, on a first-come, first-served basis, and the fee for the Mentored Dove Hunting Permit will be $25.

Texas Hunters for the Hungry by County

Hunters for the Hungry is a Texas hunting program set up where hunters can donate surplus game to help families short on food. The program allows hunters to achieve their much-needed deer harvest goals and helps prevent hunter in Texas.

Hunters can help by donating deer, by making a monetary donation, or by helping to raise money in your community to offset processing fees. All of these ways will help ensure Hunters for the Hungry carries on it’s long-standing commitment to helping put food on the tables of those in need.

Below, you will find a list of participating deer processors by county. If there is a notation after the business listing it denotes that thier charge may be above the customary $30 to $40 charge and they have special requirement for game. Visit this webiste or call (800) 992-9767, ext. 506.

Hunters for the Hungry processors by County:

AUSTIN Bellville Meat Market 36 S Front Bellville (979) 865-5782
AUSTIN Eckermann’s Meat Market 2543 FM 1457 New Ulm (979) 836-8858
BAYLOR Bayco Services 205 E McLain Seymour (940) 889-2424; Over $35
BEXAR Broadway Frozen Food Lockers 875 E. Ashby Place, Ste. 3000 San Antonio (210) 226-3189
BEXAR Schott’s Meat Processing 20145 Bandera Road Helotes (210) 695-5411
BLANCO Harvest House Farms 506 North Nugent Johnson City (830) 868-7253; Over $35
BOSQUE Big Buck Meat Mkt and Deer Proc. 814 N. Avenue G Clifton (254) 675-2825
BOSQUE Meridian Frozen Food Locker 112 East Morgan Meridian (254) 435-2803
BOSQUE Samples Ranch 12089 State Hwy 22 Meridian (254) 597-7750
BOWIE Dekalb FFA 101Maple Dekalb (903) 667-2061; Skinned & quartered only
BOWIE Hooks FFA 401 Ave A Hooks (903) 547-2215; Skinned deer only
BRAZORIA Brazoswood High School 302 W Brazoswood Dr Clute (979) 730-7300 X 29329; Skinned & quartered only
BRAZORIA C & R Smokehouse 1722 Avenue C Danbury (979) 922-1048
BROWN M & M Deer Processing 4300 CR 278 Zephyr (325) 739-2211
BROWN Perks Deer Processing & Cold Storage 5100 FM 2126 Brownwood (325) 643-5022
BURLESON Slovacek Sausage Company Hwy 60 West Snook (979) 272-8625
BURLESON Texas Chaw & Meat Products 1109 Commerce St. Caldwell (979) 567-7448
BURNET Hill Country Fine Meats 1405 State St Marble Falls (830) 693-7024; Over $35
CALLAHAN Cross Plains Frozen Food 125 N Avenue D Cross Plains (254) 725-7571
CALLAHAN Lone Wolf Wild Game Processing 3573 S. FM 604 Clyde (325) 893-3003
CARSON Clint & Sons Main St White Deer (806) 883-7831; Over $35
CHAMBERS Harrington Packing Company 344 Best Rd Winnie (409) 296-9794
COKE B & K Deer Processing 114 N Washington Bronte (325) 473-4015
COLEMAN Halls Custom Packing 3500 Hwy 84 North Coleman (325) 625-4813
COLEMAN Santa Anna Wild Game Processing 503 Wallis Avenue Santa Anna (325) 348-9171
COMAL Granzin’s Meat Market 1644 Old Mcqueeney Rd New Braunfels (830) 625-3510
COMAL The Rust Game Place 1778 South Hwy 46 New Braunfels (830) 608-1910
COOKE Fischer’s Meat Market 304 N Main Muenster (940) 759-4211
COOKE Walterscheid Meat Company 605 N. Mesquite Muenster (940) 759-2744
DALLAS David’s Meat Market, Inc. 4010 N Jupiter Rd. Garland (972) 495-8315; Skinned deer only
DENTON Golden Triangle Meat Plant 203 South Jefferson Pilot Point (940) 686-2456
DENTON Syracuse’s Custom Meats 13794 Old Denton Rd. Roanoke (817) 379-2230
EASTLAND Rust Deer Plant 8913 Hwy 6 East Cisco (254) 442-1653
ERATH Clay’s Processing & Smokehouse 111 West Elm St. Dublin (254) 445-4180
FAYETTE Willie Joe’s Processing 2220 Krischke Schulenburg (979) 561-8272
FORT BEND Lad’s Smokehouse & Catering 3731 School Rd Needville (979) 793-6210
FREESTONE J & S Meat Processing 180 FM 833 E Fairfield (903) 389-6169
FRIO Sou-Tex Sausage Company 701 W Hwy 85 Dilley (830) 426-6527
GALVESTON Doreck & Sons Packing Co. 4101 FM 646 North Santa Fe (409) 925-6611
GARZA Jackson Brothers Food Locker 121 South Ave H Post (806) 495-3245
GILLESPIE Hill Country Deer Processing 2162 N US Hwy 87 Fredericksburg (830) 997-6043; Over $35
GILLESPIE LDR Processing and Meat Market 16656 Hwy 290 West Harper (830) 669-2024; Over $35
GILLESPIE Rabke’s Table Ready Meats 3875 Eckert Rd Willow City (830) 685-3266
HAMILTON Hamilton Quality Meats 1205 S Rice Hamilton (254) 386-4646; Over $35
HARDIN Kountze High School 1488 FM 1293 Kountze (409) 246-3474; Skinned deer preferred
HARRIS Clear Lake Cuts – CCISD 2929 Bay Area Blvd Houston (281) 284-2093; Skinned deer only
HARRIS Going Custom Slaughter 6813 East Wallisville Rd Baytown (281) 421-2237
HARRIS Midway Food Market 5901 Highway Blvd Katy (281) 391-3101
HEMPHILL Scroggins’ Meat Processing 620 North 2nd Canadian (806) 323-6231; Over $35
HILL R & R Processing 164 HCR 2218 Aquilla (254) 694-2801
HOOD C & J Butcher Shop 400 South Morgan Street Granbury (817) 579-8077
JASPER Jasper Quality Meats Inc. 549 E. Gibson Jasper (409) 384-9924; Over $35
JIM HOGG Coronado’s Wild Game Processing 911 N Elm Hebbronville (361) 527-2500
JOHNSON Lee Deer Processing 7164 Drury Cross Road Burleson (817) 561-1975
KAUFMAN C & D Game Processing 29085 CR 2100 Kemp (903) 4983411
KENDALL Farmer’s Meat Market 342 N Main Boerne (830) 249-8063; Skinned & quartered preferred, Over $35 skin on
KERR Milton Bernhard Meat Processing 2920 Junction Hwy Kerrville (830) 367-2995
KERR Woodbury Taxidermy & Wildgame Processing 3286 Junction Hwy Ingram (830) 367-5855
KLEBERG Hibler Wild Game Inc. 207 E 5th St Kingsville (361) 221-9747; Over $35
KNOX Trainham Ice & Meat 205 N. 5th Street Goree (940) 422-5321
LIBERTY Reed’s Meat Processing 7187 FM 1010 Cleveland (281) 689-0253
LLANO Miiller’s Llano Smokehouse 705 W. Young Llano (325) 247-4450; Over $35
LUBBOCK Klemke’s Sausage Haus 255 West Garza Slaton (806) 828-5394; Over $35
MCCULLOCH Brady Co-op Locker 113 Elm St Brady (325) 597-2440; Over $35
MCLENNAN Fulton’s Quality Meats 1400 N. Robinson Dr. Waco (254) 662-5608
MEDINA Dziuk’s Meat Market 608 Hwy 90 West Castroville (830) 538-3082
MEDINA R & R Alsatian Sausage & Products 1034 Country Lane Castroville (830) 931-2430
MEDINA The Country Mart 7390 CR 525 D’Hanis (830) 363-7286
MENARD Ranch House Meat Company 303 San Saba St Menard (325) 396-4536
MIDLAND Clark’s and Winford’s Meat Co. 6002 South Hwy 349 Midland (432) 686-8123
OCHILTREE Big 4 Packing 1602 S. Cedar Perryton (806) 435-5679; Over $35
PARKER Goober’s Deer Processing LLC 2127 E Hwy 199 Springtown (817) 444-1414
PARKER Teel’s Custom Meats 1820 N. Main St. Weatherford (817) 613-0095
PECOS Buena Vista High Imperial FFA 208 N Lincoln Imperial (432) 536-2261; Skinned deer preferred
PECOS Miller Meat Company 1013 North Nelson Fort Stockton (432) 336-2979
RED RIVER Detroit Locker Plant 105 Garner St Detroit (903) 674-6911
RED RIVER Rivercrest FFA 4126 US Hwy 271 S Bogata (903) 632-5989; Skinned deer only
RUNNELS Owen’s Deer Processing 500 Hutchings Avenue Ballinger (325) 365-2430
SAN SABA Hibler Family Processing 103 E. Wallace San Saba (325) 372-5195
SHACKELFORD Escalon’s Buck ‘N Hog Processing 6490 Highway 180 W. Albany (325) 762-3800
SMITH Lynch’s Food Store 3400 East Fifth St. Tyler (903) 593-1521
STEPHENS Ray’s Grocery & Market 1117 West Walker Breckenridge (254) 559-2341
TAYLOR Stephens Wild Game Processing 4132 Vine Abilene (325) 695-4868
TAYLOR The Deer Shop 4535 Iberis Rd Abilene (325) 260-4364
THROCKMORTON Escalon’s Buck ‘N Hog Processing 308 S. Reynolds Avenue Throckmorton (940) 849-0656
TOM GREEN J’s Processing 7000 US Hwy 277 S San Angelo (325) 651-6175
TRAVIS Hudson’s Sausage Company 1800 S. Congress Austin (512) 445-6611; Skinned & quartered preferred, Over $35 skin on
TRAVIS Texas Sausage Company 2915 East 12th Street Austin (512) 472-6707; Skinned & quartered only
UVALDE Uvalde Meat Market & Processing 508 South Wood St. Uvalde (830) 278-6247
VICTORIA Country Slaughter House 3857 Burroughsville Rd Victoria (361) 573-9043; Over $35
VICTORIA Harwell’s Custom Processing 7804 FM 236 Victoria (361) 575-5120
WALKER Tallent Sausage & Grocery FM 980 and Hwy 19 Riverside (936) 594-2591
WEBB JW Nixon High School FFA 2000 Plum Laredo (956) 795-3849 EXT 163; Skinned deer only
WEBB Ruiz Custom Meats 2119 Lyon St Laredo (956) 724-3013; Over $35
WILLACY Rudy’s Meat Market 588 N 10th Raymondville (956) 689-2186
WINKLER Home Smoked Meat Processing 402 N Monahans Dr Wink (432) 527-3991

J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Hunting

The upper coast of Texas is blessed with coastal marsh that offers great public hunting for migratory waterfowl. The J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area (WMA) contains over 24,000 acres of fresh, intermediate, and brackish water marsh within the prairie-marsh zone along the upper Texas coast near the Louisiana border. The J.D. Murphree WMA is managed by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and is divided into two units that are divided by the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW).

The Big Hill Unit is located north of the GIWW and the Salt Bayou Unit is located south of the GIWW. All J.D. Murphree WMA waterfowl hunting, teal hunting and all alligator hunting will be administered out of the WMA headquarters located on the south side of Highway 73, which is located about 1/2 mile east of the Taylor Bayou Bridge and 3 miles west of the Highway 87 intersection in Port Arthur. All hunters must report to the appropriate check station for orientation, assignment to a hunting compartment, and validation of their hunting permit.

The check station for Salt Bayou Unit waterfowl hunts opens at 4:00 a.m. and the check station for Big Hill Unit waterfowl hunts opens at 4:30 a.m. on each designated day and permits will be issued until 30 minutes before legal shooting hours. Waterfowl hunters for the Salt Bayou Unit must be checked out and off the Murphree WMA by 12:00 p.m. when the check station closes.

The Big Hill Unit is approximately 8,900 acres of fresh to intermediate marsh. Access to the Unit is by boat only. A shallow draft aluminum boat equipped with an outboard motor (20-40 horsepower) is ideal for duck hunting and alligator hunting. A 14 to 16 foot aluminum boat is perfect so that is is light enough to be pulled over small levees; this will allow you to access more of the area. In addition, an additional canoe or small boat may aid in accessing assigned hunting areas within leveed compartments, especially if you expect to use a larger boat. Large, moderate draft, or heavy boats will limit access in many hunt areas due to shallow water conditions and levee portages.

The Salt Bayou Unit is approximately 15,300 acres of brackish to salt marsh. Access to the Unit is by boat only. A shallow draft boat approximately 14+ feet in length equipped with a moderate-sized outboard motor (25-75 horsepower) is recommended for alligator or goose and duck hunting. An additional canoe or small boat may aid in accessing assigned duck hunting areas within hunt compartments. Boat launch accommodations are limited to shallow draft boats only. Rough and choppy water conditions frequently exist on Keith Lake during windy days.

The construction of permanent waterfowl hunting blinds is prohibited on the Murphree WMA. In addition, it is a hunter’s responsibility to maintain a distance of 200 yards from other hunting parties. Airboats are prohibited on the WMA except in Big Hill, Taylor’s, Hildebrandt Bayou, Blind Bayou, and Keith Lake. In the Salt Bayou Unit only, airboats may only be used for access by permitted waterfowl hunters and must have a motor of less than 10 horsepower. Retrievers are welcomed and make sure you bring your goose and duck hunting decoys. Use caution during warm weather because alligators are present on both units.

TPWD has stated that the following equipment is necessary for hunters on the J.D. Murphree WMA: a boat and outboard motor as described above, proper safety devices as required by law, paddle, flashlight, push-pole, outboard gas sufficient for 25 miles of travel, rain gear, boots or waders, insect repellent, appropriate ammunition and a shotgun. Keep in mind that boats (persons, equipment, harvested game, etc.) may not exceed U.S. Coast Guard approved loaded capacity.

Any hunters utilizing inadequate boats or equipment may be limited to sharing available hunt areas. Food, lodging, and hunting supplies are not available on the WMA, but commercial lodging facilities are available in the Port Arthur and Beaumont area. Alligator and duck hunters are strongly encouraged to thoroughly test all of their equipment before arriving at the J.D. Murphree WMA Headquarters. Call the headquarters at 409-736-2551 for more public hunting information.

Quail Surveys in Texas

Quail are a socially and economically important species. Texas statewide quail surveys were initiated in 1978 to monitor quail populations. This index uses randomly selected, 20-mile roadside survey lines to determine annual quail population trends by ecological region. This trend information helps determine relative quail populations among the regions of Texas from year to year.

Comparisons can be made between the mean (average) number of quail observed per route this year and the long term mean (LTM) for quail seen within an ecological region. The quail survey was not designed to predict relative abundance for any area smaller than the ecological region, so only generalities for large areas can be made.

Bobwhite quail hunting can be hit or miss in Texas considering these birds exist here on the very western edge of their distribution in the U. S. There are still vast expanses of suitable bobwhite habitat in the rangelands of South Texas and in the Rolling Plains, where in some years over 100,000 hunters flock to pursue these wary upland game birds. Bobwhite quail are limited in these regions by rainfall, or more specifically the lack thereof. Wet years, on the other hand, mean let’s go hunting.

Granger WMA Offers More Deer Hunts

Whitetail hunters that enjoy hunting at Granger Wildlife Management Area (WMA) will have a little something extra to look forward to this fall. Earlier this month, it was reported that Granger WMA will be holding some postcard drawings for Annual Public Hunting (APH) Permit holders for archery deer hunts. Here is the latest information I found posted on the web by the Granger WMA Area Manager, Trey Carpenter:

“Just a little heads up – We (TPWD) are planning on doing 2 postcard hunts for our doe harvest this year. You will find the details for the hunts in the front of the Annual Public Hunting (APH) Permit booklet when it comes out later this month. (BTW – the book will say there are 3 Postcard hunts — but that is incorrect. There was a scheduling conflict with the first drawn Archery Deer Either-Sex hunt so the third postcard hunt has been canceled). We are trying this because of high buck fawn harvest on our Gun Deer Management (GDM) hunts. We have never had a buck fawn mistakenly shot for a doe on an archery hunt.

The 2 post card hunts will be during the month of October (Oct 4-17 and Oct 18-31). Hunters will be allowed to harvest up to 3 does/spikes. Hunters will be assigned to 1 of 3 large compartments. These hunters will simply be APH permit hunters with a bag limit that includes does/spikes. No special access will be granted on these hunts.

There will be an orientation for the drawn postcard applicants on the first day of the hunt and the cost will be only that associated with purchase of the APH permit. We would really like to harvest a substantial number of does so please get the word out to all the meat hunters out there.”

Granger WMA is located near the town of Granger, Texas, in east Williamson County. The hunting area surrounds and includes Granger lake and has habitat that ranges from open grasslands to bottomland hardwoods. The WMA offers year-round hunting for feral hogs to APH permit holders and is open for dove hunting and duck hunting in the fall. Most of the deer hunting in the past has been through TPWD’s draw hunt system and this is the first year the WMA will draw APH permit holders for deer hunts.

Justin Hurst WMA Postcard Public Hunting

The Justin Hurst Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is offering public hunting opportunities again this year for white-tailed deer. The hunts will be held on October 11 and 12 and are youth-only deer hunts. youth hunters will be selected by postcard drawing and accompanying adults must possess an Annual Public Hunting (APH) permit.

The bag limit for these deer hunts will be one deer, either sex. Bucks must have at least 1 unbranched antler (spike or 3 point) or an inside spread of 13 inches or greater. Hunters can also harvest unlimited feral hogs. Baiting will be allowed on the WMA and the use of ATVs and ORVs will be permitted. Centerfire rifles with mounted scopes are the only legal means during these deer and hog hunts.

The youth deer postcard application may contain a single supervising adult and up to 2 youths, or 2 supervising adults and 2 youths. A total of 9 youth deer hunting positions will be available for each hunt period this year. Youth deer postcards must be mailed to: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, c/o Hurst Youth Deer Hunts, 1700 7th Street, Bay City, TX 77414.

For more information on public hunting at the Justin Hurst WMA, contact the TPWD Bay City field office at 979-244-6804. The deadline for postcard applications is September 15, 2010.

Youth Only Deer: October 2-3, 2010. Bag limit for youth hunters is two whitetail deer, either sex, but no more than 1 buck. The buck must have at least one unbranched antler or an inside spread of 13 inches or greater. Hunters may also take unlimited feral hogs and coyotes.

Youth Only Deer: October 9-10, 2010. Bag limit is two deer of either sex, but not more than 1 buck. Bucks must have at least one unbranches antler or an inside spread of 13 inches or more. Unlimited feral hogs and coyotes can be taken while these public hunts occur by all youth.

Atlanta State Park

Atlanta State Park is located in central Cass County and is approximately 10 miles northwest of Atlanta, Texas. The park is 1,475 acres in size and is set in pine forests adjacent to the Wright Patman Dam and Lake. The property was acquired by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in 1954. The property provides public hunting opportunity for white-tailed deer each fall.

The Atlanta park is closed to visitors during public hunts and the entrance fee is waived for hunt participants as long as they paid their draw permit fee. Hunters may use park camping facilities for which the standard camping fee is charged. Call the park headquarters at 903-796-6476 for further information on public hunting at Atlanta State Park.

Granger WMA Postcard Draw Hunts

The Granger Wildlife Management Area in Williamson County will be holding archery deer hunts for Texas hunters that posses an Annual Public Hunting Permit (APHP). Hunters will be selected in a postcard drawing. These deer hunts will take place on October 4-17 and 18-31. Two groups of up to 20 hunters will be permitted to hunt and the bag limit will consists of 3 white-tailed deer (either sex). Bucks must have at least one unbranched antler.

Hunts will begin at 11:00 am of the first day and end at 11:00 am of the last day. All selected hunters must attend a mandatory orientation on the first day of a hunt period. All waterfowl species having an open season, squirrel, rabbits, hares, and feral hogs may also be taken. Fishing is also allowed.

Each archery deer hunt postcard may contain up to 4 hunters. Submitted postcards must contain the hunt date (1st and 2nd choice), group leader’s daytime phone number, email address, and the names and ages of each hunter. Postcards must be mailed to: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, c/o Granger WMA Hunts, 213 Thomas Ridge, Burnet, TX 78611. The deadline for application is September 15, 2010. Selected hunt group leaders will be notified by phone or email.

For more information on Granger WMA and/or these postcard deer hunts, contact the wildlife field office at 512-461-9909.