Justin Hurst WMA: Hunting

Hunting

Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) have rules and regulations for hunting not required on private property. Hunters must possess a valid hunting license, the appropriate tags and stamps, as well as the proper public hunting permit. Permits include: Annual Public Hunting Permit (APH), computer drawn Special Permits, and the Regular Permit, which allows daily small game hunting on some areas. Hunters 16 years of age and younger are not required to have a hunting permit, but must have a hunting license and be supervised by a licensed, permitted adult, 18 years of age or older. Hunters and non-hunters must wear hunter orange during daylight hours at any time when firearm hunting for any species is authorized on the unit (except turkeys, waterfowl, and dove). For more details see the rules page for this WMA, the Summary of Fishing and Hunting Regulations and Public Hunting Lands Information and Maps.

Dove

The North Stringfellow Unit allows dove hunting from opening day of the South Zone until the last day of the first split and includes Special White-wing days. This unit, number 721, allows for on-site registration (OSR) and walk in hunting anywhere on the dove unit.

• Season Open: First split of South Zone Dove and Special White-wing days.
• Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
• Means Allowed: shotgun with non-toxic shot only.
• License Requirements: An Annual Public Hunt (APH) permit is required to hunt on the WMA. Non-hunting users are required to have a Limited Public Use (LPU) permit.

Waterfowl

• Early Teal: Only on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays within teal season.
• Youth Only Waterfowl: Only the Saturday during the established Special Youth USFWS season.
• Youth/Adult Waterfowl: First Sunday of each split of the South Zone duck season. South Zone Duck: Only on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and the last Sunday of each split.
• Holidays: No hunts on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or New Year's Day.
• Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise, must be checked out by noon each day.
• License Requirements: Hunters over the age of 16 are required to possess an Annual Public Hunt (APH) permit. Any users on the area but not hunting are required to possess a Limited Public Use (LPU) permit. When hunting on public lands, youth under 17 are required to be under the immediate supervision of a duly permitted, authorized supervising adult, age 18 or older, who is licensed to hunt in Texas.

Waterfowl Line-Up Procedure

NOTE: Hunts are no longer conducted on First Come/First Serve format. A lottery drawing will occur at 4:30 a.m. each day of a hunt to determine your position in line. Hunters arriving after 4:30 a.m. will be checked in as they arrive.

Hunters arriving before 4:30 a.m. the morning of the hunt will line up at the Live Oak Loop nature trail parking area. Staff will issue numbered tags at the parking area with the last tag being issued at 4:30 a.m. Check in begins at the Hunter check-station following tag issuance. A random number generator will be used to determine order of check in. Hunters sign in with tag number, name, signature, date of birth, and hunt location.

Typically the WMA offers over 55 hunting locations, in addition to 7 youth blinds, and 3 goose fields; however the number of hunting locations are subject to change depending on water availability. Each hunt location is marked with a reflective sign to aid hunters in locating their hunt site. Hunters must hunt within 30 yards of their marker. Walking distances range from 200 yards to 1.6 miles. Limited hunting locations may be accessed by small boats/canoes which must be hand launched and hand or electrically propelled. No trailers.

Deer

Justin Hurst WMA offers youth only white-tailed deer hunts which are special permit hunts administered through the Texas Drawn Hunt system. Dates and hunt type are subject to change, please reference the Texas Drawn Hunt system for information.

Hunters are required to arrive at the WMA around 10:00AM the first morning of the hunt. During check in hunters must show their hunter orange for all parties, hunting licenses, and hunting education certificates (No APHAPH is required during special permit hunts). Standby hunters must fill out a stand by application upon arrival and the standby hunters are selected through a drawing at 11:00 AM.

All participants must attend a hunter orientation which explains the rules, safety requirements, and legal deer identification. Only scoped rifles may be used and rifle calibers larger than .223 are recommended.

All deer stands are 4'x5' box blinds either on the ground or raised to 18 inches. All stand locations are baited the week preceding by WMA staff.

A cleaning station is available with ropes, gambrels, lights, and running water.

The WMA has poorly drained soils, insect repellant and rubber boots are highly recommended. ATVs and ORVs are allowed and recommended.

Feral Hog

Special permit Feral Hog hunts are available through the Texas Drawn Hunt system. Dates and hunt type are subject to change, please reference the Texas Drawn Hunt system for information.

Hunters are required to arrive at the WMA around 10:00AM the first morning of the hunt. During check in hunters must show their hunter orange for all parties, hunting licenses, and hunting education certificates (No APH is required during special permit hunts). Standby hunters must fill out a stand by application upon arrival and the standby hunters are selected through a drawing at 11:00 AM.

All participants must attend a hunter orientation which explains the rules, safety requirements, and legal game identification. After the orientation, hunters are allowed to select their hunting blind and may then go hunting. Only scoped rifles may be used.

The WMA offers 4'x4' and 4'x5' stands for hog hunters to utilize and all stands are baited the week preceding by WMA staff. A cleaning station is available with ropes, gambrels, lights, and running water. The WMA has poorly drained soils, insect repellant and rubber boots are highly recommended. ATVs and ORVs are allowed and recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do hunters reserve a spot?
   The Hurst operates on a lottery draw system. There are no reservations by phone or otherwise. Hunters must line up in order to receive a numbered tag for sign in. After numbered tags are given out a random number generator is used to determine order of sign in. Tag issuance ends at 4:30 the morning of the hunt.
2. Where do hunters line up?
   Turn off of State Highway 36 onto Jones Creek Terminal road. There is a park to the East with a left parking lane up to a metal pipe fence. Hunters should line up in a single file line from the fence back on the left side of the road. Please space your trucks close together to limit the length of the line.
3. What time do the gates open for duck hunts?
   4:30 AM
4. Is camping allowed on the WMA?
   No, the Justin Hurst does not have any camping facilities available. Duck hunters must sleep within either the bed of their truck or inside the cab. No tents or cots are allowed on the ground or road.
5. Is alcohol allowed in line?
   No, no alcohol consumption is allowed on state property.
6. Are boats allowed?
   Boats/Kayaks/Canoes are allowed, but they must be hand launched on the WMA and propelled using paddles or electric motors only. No trailers are allowed.
7. What permits and certifications are required to hunt Texas Public Land?
   • Duck Hunting:
     Annual Public Hunt Permit
     Migratory Game Bird
     Federal Duck Stamp
     HIP Certification
     Hunter Education
   • Dove Hunting:
     Annual Public Hunt Permit
     Migratory Game Bird
     HIP Certification
     Hunter Education
   • Deer/Feral Hog Hunting:
     Resident Hunting License
     Hunter Education