Before you run off to hunt, it is important to understand where you can hunt and avoid any type of trouble. The federal government has identified several hunting arenas on their land. It is important to understand in which areas you can legally hunt and in which areas you are not allowed. In this article, we will discuss the hunting areas of Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico, the Southern section of the United States.



New Mexico

The Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge is the third largest of all refuges in the continental United States. The land is made up of mountain ranges, desert, and pure wilderness. Made up of a thousand square miles, you can experience the best and sometimes the worst of the desert at this refuge. It is not uncommon to find 100 degree temperatures and little rain.

The refuge provides protection for many different species such as woodpeckers, Elf Owls, Desert Turtles, Rattlesnakes, Lizards, Bighorns, long nosed bats, and the Sonoran Pronghorn. For hunters, typically the only hunting allowed in the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge is bighorn sheep hunting. It is important to remember that you are in the desert and also an area that was once a bombing and gunnery range during the second World War.

On your hunting experience, you may encounter several different things. It is important to be careful and practice safety at all times. Because the hikes can be long and the desert can be hot, you should make certain that you always have plenty of water and food.

Texas

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is the federally operated land in Texas that permits limited hunting. A whopping 59,000 acres, you will find a host of beautiful and serene wildlife habitats. This area plays host to many different types of animals such as clams, blue crabs, fish, geese, ducks, spoonbills, egrets, herons, and Pelicans. The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is well known for being the safe haven to some of the tallest birds in North America during the wintertime.

Located in Austewell, Texas, hunting for waterfowl, mourning dove, feral hogs, and white-tailed deer is typically allowed. The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge hosts many organized hunts each year. These hunts are known as archery, rifle, and youth hunts. As with all other federal hunting land, you are required to have all permits, licenses, and stamps prior to taking part in the hunts. You will also be required to pay fees to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. These fees depend on the type of hunting you will be doing.

Louisiana

The Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife Refuge, located in Ferriday Louisiana is home to the last of the Mississippi River Delta's least disturbed forest land. This federal wildlife refuge has more than 11,255 acres of land and was established in 1992 as a way to protect this last bit of forest area. The Cocodrie Bayou, which runs through the center of the refuge, is one of Louisiana states scenic rivers. The refuge employs just seven staff members and sees roughly 5,000 people visiting the area each year.

The area has special hunts throughout the year, particularly to help control the population of feral hogs. There are regulated hunts during regular hunting seasons and all rules, as well as regulations, must be followed at all times. In general, the same rules in regards to licenses, permits, and stamps apply at Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife Refuge, as in other federal hunting areas. Any person over the age of 16 will be required to carry a license and permit.

It is important to know the standard rules and regulations of the Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife Refuge before you visit. Hours of operation start at 4:00 each morning and will end no more than two hours after sunset. This applies to all hunters except those that are participating opossum and raccoon, in which February has extended hours for these hunters.

Wrapping It Up

Before you visit any federal land, be sure that you obtain any special licenses, permits, or stamps as required. Many states require specific types of stamps to hunt specific types of game. Make certain that you have done this in order to avoid trouble. Every state is different in regards to their requirements on weapons, usage, and ammunition, be sure to understand them as they apply to you.