Category: Public Hunting

Mad Island Wildlife Management Area Hunting



The Mad Island Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is 7,281 acres of fresh water to brackish water marsh. This property is managed by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and offers good hog hunting, duck hunting, and alligator hunting. The Mad Island WMA is located about 6 miles east of Collegeport, Texas, in Matagorda County. This WMA is right off the Gulf of Mexico, and the Gulf Intracoastal Water Way forms the southern boundary of the area.

Hunts held at Mad Island WMA include waterfowl hunting for Annual Public Hunting (APH) Permit holders (no daily fee) and computer drawn Special Permits hunts for alligator hunting ($3 application, $130 if selected) and hog hunting ($3 application, $80 if selected). Typically, the WMA is open Saturday and Sunday during teal season and the regular season for South Zone Duck. Alligator hunts always take place during Texas’ alligator hunting season, which is September 10-30 each year.

Regular permits are issued on the morning of scheduled waterfowl hunts at the check station beginning 2 hours before sunrise until 30 minutes before legal shooting time. Hunting areas are selected by hunters on a first-come, first-served basis. On most days that the area is open for duck and goose hunting, vehicles will begin lining up outside the gate the evening prior to the hunt. The gate on C.R. 374 is unlocked during times of scheduled public use.


For those not familiar with Texas’s WMAs, each of these areas has their rules and regulations for hunting. Of course, hunters must possess a valid hunting license, the appropriate tags and stamps, as well as the proper public hunting permit. Hunters 16 years of age and younger are not required to have a hunting permit while at Mad Island WMA, but must have a hunting license and be supervised by a licensed, permitted adult, 18 years of age or older.

Hunters should be prepared to walk up to 1/2 mile in wetland habitat to reach their waterfowl or alligator hunting areas. Small boats, suitable for hand launch and operated by electric motors, can be used in compartments 9 and 10 during the waterfowl hunts. No trailers or outboard motors are allowed on Mad Island WMA. In addition, no permanent blinds may be constructed on the area.

No camping or open fires are allowed on the wildlife management area. The closest commercial facilities are available in Bay City. Hunting along the coast is much different than most other places in Texas. Expect mosquitos, and lots of them. This area offers great hunting, and it’s well known for it’s high hog hunting success rate. For further information on public hunting at Mad Island WMA, contact the field office at 979-244-6804 or 979-244-6805.


Mason Mountain WMA Info

The Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is found in the Llano Uplift in Mason County. The Mason Mountain WMA was a high fenced, working exotic game ranch before Texas Parks and Wildlife Department acquired the tract in 1997. Today, 14 species of exotic ungulate (hooved) animals provide opportunities to study the effects of African ungulates on wildlife habitat and interactions between exotic and native wildlife such as white-tailed deer. The resources of Mason Mountain WMA are dedicated to research concerning the ecology of the Central Mineral Region and Edwards Plateau and its application to wildlife management on private lands. Because the Mason Mountain WMA is found in a transition area between two distinct ecoregions, a variety of wildlife habitats are represented. About two-thirds of the area consists of granite derived soils supporting a community of post oak and blackjack oak. The remainder of the Area is dominated by live oak and Texas oak on limestone derived soils.

Mason Mountain WMA Info

The topography of the Mason Mountain area is rough, with steep canyons, caliche hills, and granite outcrops. Again, an 8-foot fence to facilitate scientific investigations encloses the area. Numerous studies involving white-tailed deer have taken place on this WMA. In order to properly manage the habitat found on this site, deer populations are maintained at approximately one deer to 12-15 acres. Several high fenced pastures are found within the management area, allowing several research investigations to occur concurrently. Check this out for much more information about Mason Mountain WMA Hunting.

Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Hunting

The Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is made up of 3,311 acres of native habitat in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Both farm land and wetlands were purchased by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to preserve nesting habitat for white-winged doves. Many of the units also provide excellent public hunting opportunities. The Las Palomas WMA is comprised of 18 different units in Cameron County, Hidalgo County and Presido County.

The units range in size from two acres up to 604 acres. They are open to public access throughout the year, except when closed for TPWD Special Permit hunts. Hunting is generally allowed for mourning and white-winged doves, quail, rabbits and hares. Dove hunting is the main use of the WMA. Public hunts are scheduled when conditions warrant. Contact the area manager for hunting and other information.

Dove Hunting

The units of the Las Palomas WMA are located in the area where the Special Season White-Winged Dove hunts are designated. Check the Outdoor Annual for the current dates and bag limits. Three units that have offer special permit public hunting opportunities in the past are the Anacua Unit, Arroyo Colorado Unit and the Longoria Unit of Las Palomas WMA.

The Las Palomas WMA Anacua Unit is 220 acres located just south of Santa Maria south off of US Hwy 281. The unit is divided into two separate sections with the hunter check station located in the north parking lot. There are designated hunting areas for doves in both the north and south sections of the unit. More information on the Anacua Unit.


The Arroyo Colorado Unit is 761 acres of native brush. The unit is located in Cameron County. Primitive camping is allowed for permitted hunters selected for the drawn youth whitetail deer hunts. However, there are no restroom facilities or potable water available. More information on public hunting at the Arroyo Colorado Unit.

The Las Palomas WMA Longoria Unit is 373 acres of mature dove habit mixed with re-growth and food plots. The unit is located approximately 4 miles west and south from Sebastian and 4 miles north of Santa Rosa. The property has excellent dove hunting. More information on public hunting at the the Longoria Unit.

Longoria Unit Hunting – Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area (WMA)

The Longoria Unit of the Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area (WMA) comprises 373 acres that are a mosaic of old-growth trees, new and established habitat restoration sites, farm fields, and even food plots. The Longoria Unit was originally purchased as white-winged dove habitat, but represents a remnant tract of high quality woodlands and brush that provides a home for many plants and wildlife species unique to the region of Texas.

Longoria Unit Hunting - Las Palomas WMA

The Longoria Unit is located on FM 506, and can be reached from the north by traveling approximately 4 miles west and south from Sebastian, Texas, or from the south by traveling approximately 4 miles north of Santa Rosa, Texas. The closest commercial facilities for overnight lodging can be found in Harlingen. For more information about dove hunting at the Longoria Unit or other public hunting lands in Texas, call the Las Palomas WMA Headquarters at 956-565-1223.

Anacua Unit Hunting – Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area (WMA)

The Anacua Unit of the Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area (WMA) consists of 220 acres of wildlife habitat situated about1/2 mile south of Santa Maria, Texas, south off of US Highway 281. The Anacua Unit was farmed in the past, but is now dominated by re-vegetated white-winged dove breeding habitat that provides excellent whitewing dove hunting.

The unit is divided into two separate sections, with the hunting check station located in the north parking lot.

Dove Hunting in South Texas


There Anacua Unit has designated whitewing dove hunting areas in both the north and south sections of the unit. The closest complete commercial facilities are available in Harlingen. Call the Las Palomas WMA headquarters for more information about dove hunting at the Anacua Unit or other Texas pubic hunting lands at 956-501-4793.

Arroyo Colorado Unit Hunting – Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area (WMA)

The Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Arroyo Colorado Unit consists of 761 acres of wildlife habitat. The native brush found on the property provides nesting and hunting for white-winged doves, but was once farm and ranch land prior to purchase by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). The Arroyo Colorad Unit is located in Cameron County and can be reached by traveling 3 miles east of Rio Hondo on Highway 106, then 5.5 miles north on Hwy 2925. There are no restroom facilities or potable water available.

Primitive camping is allowed for permitted hunters selected for the drawn youth white-tailed deer hunting. The closest commercial, overnight facilities are available in Harlingen, Texas. Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) have rules and regulations for hunting not required on private property. Hunters must possess a valid hunting license, the appropriate tags and stamps, as well as the proper public hunting permit. Permits include: Annual Public Hunting Permit (APH), computer drawn Special Permits, and the Regular Permit, which allows daily small game hunting on some units. Hunters needing more information should call the Las Palomas WMA headquarters at 956-501-4793.

Arroyo Colorado Unit Hunting - Las Palomas WMA

Keep in mind that hunters 16 years of age and younger are not required to have a hunting permit, but they must have a hunting license and be supervised by a licensed, permitted adult, 18 years of age or older when hunting at Las Palomas WMA. Hunters and non-hunters must wear hunter orange during daylight hours at any time when firearm hunting for any species is authorized on the unit, except turkeys, waterfowl, and doves.

Bowhunting at Walter Buck WMA

We always put in for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s special draw public hunting opportunities they have each year. This year we were selected to bow hunt at the Walter Buck Wildlife Management Area (WMA) just south of Junction. At the orientation we learned that there are 5 designated hunt areas within the Walter Buck WMA. The biologist talked about each of the hunt areas and soon we were assigned to a hunting compartment.

It was early October, so we looked for the oak trees that are dropping acorns, and we hoped that some good bucks would be bedded up nearby. Finding hot acorn trees during archery season, whether hunting on a deer lease or public land, has always worked great for me. No matter the property you can always find that deer will use certain oak trees much more than others. At the Buck WMA, these appeared to be the trees with the lightest green leaves. Continue reading Bowhunting at Walter Buck WMA