Hunting

Refuge Announces Fee Changes

In order to better manage our hunt program starting with the 2016-2017 hunt season, the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (LANWR) and Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge (LRGV) will offer their quality hunt opportunities through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) on-line only public hunt draw system.  TPWD is a provider of drawn public hunts through an online only drawing system that offers loyalty points, secondary draws, secure online ordering, multiple purchases, online payment and online order confirmation. Through this system TPWD brings manual paper processes online, including public hunt applications and public hunt permits. TPWD is focused on rapidly delivering effective solutions to reduce paperwork, increase efficiency, expand service availability, and enhance customer satisfaction. There is a onetime on-line registration as part of the TPWD system that also improves program efficiency.  Under this system a hunter doesn’t have to re-register or re-apply every year which has been the issue with Kinsail.

All TPWD managed hunt areas and U.S. Forest Service lands in Texas are currently using this system with great success and by being part of this system LANWR and LRGV hunters can easily apply for many hunts throughout Texas.  Hunters will be able to browse the drawn hunt catalog by refuge, hunt category, and location using interactive maps.  Permits will be issued by e-mail and can be printed or stored on a mobile device.  Hunters will also have more time to apply; up to 11:59 pm on the deadline date.  Application submittal starts in July. This will eventually become a one-stop shop for Federal and State public hunting opportunities in the Texas.

Under this program, hunters will be able to submit complete and accurate applications.  This will eliminate disqualifications.  Hunters can apply alone or as a group, browse hunts year round and create and manage an account to check the status of all applications, permits, and loyalty points.

To properly and efficiently manage this on-line only public hunt draw system, TPWD requires that the LANWR and LRGV adopt their permit categories and fees.  A $3.00 application fee per hunt is required for all adult hunters applying for permits under this system.  Selected  hunters will be notified by e-mail and will then have to pay on online permit fee of either $80 for standard hunts (1-3 days) or $130 for extended hunts (4 or more days).  TPWD will start accepting applications July 1st.  There are no application costs or draw hunt permit fees for youth hunters between the ages of 9 and 16.  

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge

 Applications and permits are issued through Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Public Drawn Hunts website at:  

Download Archery Regulations HERE.

Download Firearm Regulations HERE.