The Gene Howe Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is located in Hemphill County and encompasses 5,394 acres of rolling plains country along the Canadian River. The Gene Howe WMA is one of Texas’ pubic hunting lands that offers special draw hunts for white-tailed deer and spring turkey season. The Murphy Unit of the WMA is open to Annual Public Hunting Permit (APH Permit) holders for dove hunting, quail hunting, and rabbit hunting. Hunters 16 years of age and younger are not required to have an APH permit, but must have a hunting license and be supervised by a licensed, permitted adult. Check the “Public Hunting Lands” booklet for season dates.
The northern portions of the WMA contain rolling sand hills dominated by tall grasses and sand sagebrush. Other habitat types found on the Gene Howe are open, tallgrass meadows and stands of eastern cottonwood and Russian olive, which dominate the bottomlands along the river in the southern portion of the WMA. The habitat found on the Gene Howe WMA is much different than most Texas hunters are familiar with, but the property offers good hunting.
The Gene Howe WMA has a primitive campground site that is available for public hunters. The site is located about 1/2 mile east of the WMA headquarters and check station on the north side of FM 2266. 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 dove). For more information on public hunting the Gene Howe Wildlife Management Area contact their office at 806-323-8642.