National Wildlife Refuges Preparing for Waterfowl Season

ANAHUAC, September 9, 2010 - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that portions of the Anahuac, McFaddin and Texas Point National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) will be open to public waterfowl hunting during the upcoming 2010-2011 waterfowl season. The regular waterfowl season in the Texas South Duck Zone runs from October 30th– November 28th, 2010, and reopens December 11th, 2010 - January 23rd, 2011. The youth-only season is set for October 23rd and 24th. Goose season in the Eastern Goose Zone runs October 30th - January 23rd for light geese and Canada geese, and October 30th - January 9th for white-fronted geese.

Waterfowl hunters scouting potential sites can access refuge hunt units on the Anahuac, McFaddin and Texas Point NWRs starting Saturday, October 16th. Scouting will be available Saturday, October 16th through Friday, October 22nd from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. On Saturday, October 23th and Sunday, October 24th, scouting will be from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm due to the youth-only waterfowl hunt in the morning. Monday through Thursday, October 25th – October 28th, waterfowl hunters can again access refuge hunt units for scouting between 7:30 am and 4:00 pm.

Those interested in information on public waterfowl hunting opportunities in southeast Texas can attend an Open House taking place from 7:00 to 9:00 pm on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at the J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management check station, located physically at the SW corner of the intersection of Jade Avenue and SH73 in Port Arthur, TX. Hunters will have the opportunity to learn about public waterfowl hunting opportunities on area National Wildlife Refuges and State Wildlife Management Areas. Staff will be available from the J.D. Murphree and Lower Neches Wildlife Management Areas and the Anahuac, McFaddin and Texas Point National Wildlife Refuges.

During the regular waterfowl season on Anahuac NWR, the East Unit will be open Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from legal shooting time until noon. A $10.00 per day fee permit or a $40.00 annual fee permit is required to hunt on the East Unit. The Pace Tract will be open seven days a week, while the Middleton Tract will be open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays during the regular waterfowl season.

Designated hunt areas will be open for waterfowl hunting on Texas Point NWR on Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays until noon. The Spaced Hunt Unit, Central Hunt Unit, and Star Lake/Clam Lake Hunt Unit at McFaddin NWR will be open on Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays, while the Mud Bayou Hunt Unit will be open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays until noon. The Spaced Hunt Unit also requires a $10.00 per day fee permit. Hunters may enter the refuge hunt units no earlier than 4:00 am. Hunters should refer to the 2010-2011 waterfowl hunting regulations and maps for current hunt unit locations.

All hunt areas open during the regular waterfowl season on Anahuac, McFaddin and Texas Point NWRs will be open for the youth-only season October 23rd and 24th from one half hour before sunrise until 12:00 pm. To participate, hunters must be 15 years of age or younger and accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age. Adults may not hunt during the special Youth-only season.

All hunters are required to possess a signed refuge waterfowl hunt permit while hunting on all hunt units of these Refuges. These free permits may be obtained by contacting the refuge offices during regular business hours (7:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday-Friday), at the Visitor Information Station on Anahuac NWR, or on-line at http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges . The Spaced Hunt Unit on McFaddin NWR and the East Unit on Anahuac NWR will require additional permits. Last year’s permits are no longer valid and all hunters must obtain new permits for the 2010-2011 waterfowl season. All state and federal regulations are applicable. For additional information and complete refuge hunting regulations, please contact Anahuac NWR at 409-267-3337 ext 251 or McFaddin NWR at 409- 736-2371.

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