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