Palo Duro Canyon State Park encompasses just over 20,000 acres of the Texas panhandle and is located just south of Amarillo. Palo Duro Canyon is located on the southern high plains, as area referred to as El Llano Estacado, and holds many of the wildlife species native to this region. The public hunting lands found here also has exotic and feral ungulates. The canyon is about 125 miles long, over 20 miles wide, and about 800 feet deep, making for some rugged hunting terrain.
The rim of the canyon is considered part of the short-grass prairie, while the elevated moisture of the canyon floor supports a greater diversity of plants and holds a good number of white-tailed deer. Plants in this area include mid- and tall-grass species in addition to both trees and shrubs, which make excellent deer foods. Other large animals inhabiting this property include mule deer, aoudad sheep, and feral hogs. Hunting at Palo Duro State Park is through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s draw lottery. Interested hunters can enter the hunt drawing starting in mid-August each year.
The Palo Duro Canyon State Park is located about 12 miles east of Canyon on SH 217. To get to Palo Duro from Amarillo, take IH-27 south to SH 217 and then go east for 8 miles. There are two equestrian compartments available to drawn deer hunters on the public hunting land and they are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the Palo Duro Canyon headquarters for more information on whitetail hunting, aoudad hunting, or anything else related to this public hunting land as 806-488-2227.
Doe the draw allow one to get a tag for mule deer via the State Park access or pertain to all of the species including aoudad and feral hog?