The process of applying for hunts at Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge has changed. Most of the 2019/2020 Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge Lottery Draw Hunt Program will now be administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and can be reached at the bottom of their page at: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/public_hunt_drawing/hunt-categories.phtml.
The categories of hunt available through the TPWD Lottery system include: General (for deer and hog); Archery (for deer and hog); Muzzleloader (for deer and hog); and Upland (for squirrel and rabbit). However, the Waterfowl Hunt will still be drawn at the Refuge and will be posted on the Refuge’s website in August.
The Refuge’s General season is from Nov 2, 2019 to Nov 10, 2019 or from Nov 16, 2019 to Nov 24, 2019. Hunters may apply for both seasons but if selected, hunters will only be allowed to hunt in one of the seasons. The Archery season is from Sept 28 to Oct 20. The Muzzleloader season is from Jan 6, 2020 to Jan 19, 2020. The Upland game season for squirrel and rabbit runs from Oct 1, 2019 to Oct 23, 2019. If selected, all these hunts will now cost $130.00 plus the $3.00 application fee for each unit for which hunters apply.
To view a map for each of the units offered, please go to Trinity River NWR website at http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Trinity_River/map.html
As with hunting on a National Wildlife Refuge, special regulations will be enforced as described in the application process. Hunters must meet specific eligibility rules to meet State standards for hunters with disabilities. A Special Use Permit will be required for hunters with disabilities using all-terrain vehicles on designated tracts. Hunters with disabilities wanting to use an all-terrain vehicle for their particular hunt can only apply for the Page and Hirsch units. All other units do not allow ATV use.
After the hunts are over, hunters will receive a Data Log Card from the Refuge asking some questions about number of days hunted and types of game harvested. Hunters must respond back with the information or they will not be allowed to hunt the next season.