| Before you run off to hunt, it is important | | | | Aransas National Wildlife Refuge hosts many |
| to understand where you can hunt and avoid | | | | organized hunts each year. These hunts are |
| any type of trouble. The federal government | | | | known as archery, rifle, and youth hunts. As |
| has identified several hunting arenas on | | | | with all other federal hunting land, you are |
| their land. It is important to understand in | | | | required to have all permits, licenses, and |
| which areas you can legally hunt and in which | | | | stamps prior to taking part in the hunts. You |
| areas you are not allowed. In this article, | | | | will also be required to pay fees to the |
| we will discuss the hunting areas of Texas, | | | | Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. These fees |
| Louisiana, and New Mexico, the Southern | | | | depend on the type of hunting you will be |
| section of the United States. | | | | doing. |
| | | | |
| New Mexico | | | | Louisiana |
| | | | |
| The Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge is | | | | The Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife Refuge, |
| the third largest of all refuges in the | | | | located in Ferriday Louisiana is home to the |
| continental United States. The land is made | | | | last of the Mississippi River Delta's least |
| up of mountain ranges, desert, and pure | | | | disturbed forest land. This federal wildlife |
| wilderness. Made up of a thousand square | | | | refuge has more than 11,255 acres of land and |
| miles, you can experience the best and | | | | was established in 1992 as a way to protect |
| sometimes the worst of the desert at this | | | | this last bit of forest area. The Cocodrie |
| refuge. It is not uncommon to find 100 degree | | | | Bayou, which runs through the center of the |
| temperatures and little rain. | | | | refuge, is one of Louisiana states scenic |
| | | | rivers. The refuge employs just seven staff |
| The refuge provides protection for many | | | | members and sees roughly 5,000 people |
| different species such as woodpeckers, Elf | | | | visiting the area each year. |
| Owls, Desert Turtles, Rattlesnakes, Lizards, | | | | |
| Bighorns, long nosed bats, and the Sonoran | | | | The area has special hunts throughout the |
| Pronghorn. For hunters, typically the only | | | | year, particularly to help control the |
| hunting allowed in the Cabeza Prieta National | | | | population of feral hogs. There are regulated |
| Wildlife Refuge is bighorn sheep hunting. It | | | | hunts during regular hunting seasons and all |
| is important to remember that you are in the | | | | rules, as well as regulations, must be |
| desert and also an area that was once a | | | | followed at all times. In general, the same |
| bombing and gunnery range during the second | | | | rules in regards to licenses, permits, and |
| World War. | | | | stamps apply at Bayou Cocodrie National |
| | | | Wildlife Refuge, as in other federal hunting |
| On your hunting experience, you may encounter | | | | areas. Any person over the age of 16 will be |
| several different things. It is important to | | | | required to carry a license and permit. |
| be careful and practice safety at all times. | | | | |
| Because the hikes can be long and the desert | | | | It is important to know the standard rules |
| can be hot, you should make certain that you | | | | and regulations of the Bayou Cocodrie |
| always have plenty of water and food. | | | | National Wildlife Refuge before you visit. |
| | | | Hours of operation start at 4:00 each morning |
| Texas | | | | and will end no more than two hours after |
| | | | sunset. This applies to all hunters except |
| Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is the | | | | those that are participating opossum and |
| federally operated land in Texas that permits | | | | raccoon, in which February has extended hours |
| limited hunting. A whopping 59,000 acres, you | | | | for these hunters. |
| will find a host of beautiful and serene | | | | |
| wildlife habitats. This area plays host to | | | | Wrapping It Up |
| many different types of animals such as | | | | |
| clams, blue crabs, fish, geese, ducks, | | | | Before you visit any federal land, be sure |
| spoonbills, egrets, herons, and Pelicans. The | | | | that you obtain any special licenses, |
| Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is well | | | | permits, or stamps as required. Many states |
| known for being the safe haven to some of the | | | | require specific types of stamps to hunt |
| tallest birds in North America during the | | | | specific types of game. Make certain that you |
| wintertime. | | | | have done this in order to avoid trouble. |
| | | | Every state is different in regards to their |
| Located in Austewell, Texas, hunting for | | | | requirements on weapons, usage, and |
| waterfowl, mourning dove, feral hogs, and | | | | ammunition, be sure to understand them as |
| white-tailed deer is typically allowed. The | | | | they apply to you. |