U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service H Hunting

Balcones Canyonlands

National Wildlife Refuge

Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife 

Refuge is one of more than 550 national 

wildlife refuges located throughout the 

United States. The primary objective of 

a national wildlife refuge is to provide 

habitat for the conservation of wildlife. 

Carefully managed hunts maintain 

wildlife populations at a level compatible 

with available habitat and provide 

recreational opportunities.

Regulations

Public hunting for deer, feral hogs, and 

turkey will be allowed on select tracts on 

Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife 

Refuge. Areas closed to hunting will be 

designated on maps and marked with 

signs and/or barracades.

Hunting on the refuge will be allowed 

only with a Balcones Canyonlands NWR 

hunt special use permit and in accordance 

with refuge hunting regulations. All 

hunters will be assigned tracts to hunt. 

In most cases, hunters are allowed to 

move around in their assigned tracts. 

A person must be at least 12 years old 

to participate in this hunt program.

In addition to federal regulations, Texas 

Parks and Wildlife Department laws 

and regulations in effect unless further 

restricted by Federal law or regulations. 

Hunters must check in their game at the 

refuge check station on the day the game 

was killed and before leaving the refuge.

No person shall unreasonably disturb or 

annoy other persons on the refuge.

No audio equipment, such as radios or 

other noise making devices, may be used 

in such a manner that may disturb others 

in the vicinity.

Licenses, permits, all hunting equipment 

and effects, and vehicles or other 

conveyances are subject to inspection by 

Federal or State officers.

No baiting, feeding of wildlife or camping 

is permitted on the refuge.

Portable hunting stands will be allowed. 

They may be set up during scouting week, 

but must be removed when a hunter’s permit 

expires. The refuge is not responsible for theft 

of hunting stand(s). Driving nails, spikes, or 

other metal objects into trees or hunting from 

trees in which metal objects have been driven 

is prohibited.

Antlerless deer, spike bucks, feral hogs, and 

bearded turkeys are legal to take during 

the General Hunt. After the hunter has 

checked-in an antlerless deer to the Refuge 

Check Station may he/she legally take one 

buck (3 points or more). Only one buck

(3 points or more) may be taken during 

the 2008 hunt. (Refer to Texas Parks and 

Wildlife Outdoor Annual under “County 

Listings’ for bag limits.) Bearded turkey, 

feral hogs and any deer are legal to take 

during the Youth hunt season. (Refer to 

Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Annual

under “County Listings’ for bag limits.)

Legal weapons for hunting on the 

refuge are concurrent with Texas Parks 

and Wildlife Department rules and 

regulations. Dogs may not be used for 

scouting or hunting.

Safety

All hunters, ages 12-17, on the refuge 

must be accompanied by someone 

21 years of age or older. One adult may 

supervise up to two youth hunters.

All hunters must visibly wear 400 square 

inches of hunter orange above the waist 

while hunting or scouting. All hunters 

must wear a hunter orange hat or cap.

Fires, target practice, and possession or 

use of alcoholic beverages while hunting 

on the refuge is prohibited.

Hunters should not shoot at a target that 

is not completely identified.

Hunting is not permitted within 50 yards 

of a road open to vehicular travel or 

200 yards of a building.

Public Access

Hunter access will be allowed on 

improved roads only. Hunters are 

encouraged to drive with caution on 

access roads, since many access roads 

can be muddy, eroded, graveled, or run 

through creeks and streams. Please do 

not block gates or roads.

Firearms may not be brought into the 

refuge while scouting. A valid hunt permit 

will be required to enter designated hunt 

areas for scouting and hunting. When you 

arrive at your unit, the gate will be closed, 

but unlocked. Please keep the gate closed 

after entering.

The refuge is open during daylight hours 

for scouting November 1-7, November 

14, December 5, and December 12. 

When scouting, proceed directly to your 

designated hunt unit. Checking in at the 

check station is not required for scouting.

Hunters must first report to the check 

station each day before hunting and 

when finished hunting. Check station 

opens at 4:45 am.

The refuge manager may close all or 

part of the refuge—including roads—

without notice to safeguard refuge 

resources or for safety reasons. Also, 

prescribed burns may be conducted 

in portions of hunt units during nonscouting and non-hunting dates in 

order to improve habitat.

Permit Process

To apply for the General Hunt, a $10 

application fee per person is required. 

Applications are available (PDF) on 

refuge website. Send a certified check, 

cashiers check, or money order, made out 

to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with 

application(s). Hunt permits are required 

of all hunters and adults (21 years old or 

older) supervising youth hunters. Hunt 

permits are transferable for $25.

A permit fee of $50 is required for 

the general gun hunt. Permits for the 

youth hunt are free (ages 12-16). Permit 

applications can be obtained by mail (call 

or write to the address below) or at the 

refuge office. Youth hunters who do not 

get a free youth permit may apply for the 

general gun hunt ($50 fee required for a 

hunt permit).








Bee Austin Cave

Lago Vista Colorado River Marble

Falls

Liberty

Hill

Burnet

Balcones

Canyonlands

NWR

Inks Dam

NFH

Vicinity Map

Cow Creek Rd

281 71

35

29

1431

183

1174

1869

1431

0 5 10 25 Miles

By August 18, 2008, hunt applications 

must be returned to the refuge office by 

1:00 p.m. or postmarked.

A random public drawing will be held in 

September to determine who receives 

hunt permits. Hunt permits will be valid 

for two consecutive days of hunting 

during the hunting season (see below).

Only youth hunters (ages 12-16) may 

hunt during November 15-16, 2008.

c Persons with Disabilities Hunt c

Available to disabled youth and adult 

hunters possessing a pertinent and valid 

proof of disability. Call for details.

2008 Hunt Seasons

Youth November 8-9

General November 15-16 

 December 6-7 

 December 13-14

For Additional Information Contact:

Refuge Manager 

Balcones Canyonlands NWR 

24518 FM 1431, Box 1 

Marble Falls, Texas 78654 

512/339-9432 

512/267-6530 Fax 

http://www.fws.gov/southwest/ 

refuges/texas/balcones/index.htm 

Texas State Relay Service 

1 800/735-2989