McFaddin

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Waterfowl Hunting Regulations 2020-2021 McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge Waterfowl Hunting Authorization 2020-2021 Waterfowl hunting has a deep history and tradition on McFaddin NWR. Most hunting opportunities are in wetlands along bayous that cut through ancient floodplains which create coastal marshes and prairies. These habitats are home to an abundance of wildlife including migratory waterfowl. We recommend against going into the marsh alone until you are thoroughly familiar with the hazards. Some of the marsh is dangerously boggy and home to alligators, venomous snakes, mosquitoes and fire ants. Hunting units on McFaddin NWR include the Spaced Blind Hunt Unit (Fee Area), Star Lake/Clam Lake Hunt Unit (Fee Area), Central Hunt Unit (Non-Fee Area) and the Mud Bayou Hunt Unit (Non-Fee Area). Hunting units are open on varied days of the week; see specific hunting units below for information on open hunting days. All hunting units are CLOSED on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day and during the Early Canada Goose season. The Spaced blind Hunt Unit is closed during the Special Teal Season. We ask that hunters be good sportsmen and respect the rights McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge Waterfowl Hunting Authorization 2020-2021 When signed and in your possession, this will serve as your general authorization for all refuge hunts for this season. It acknowledges your understanding of the refuge regulations contained in this brochure. The Spaced Blind Hunt Unit and Clam Lake/ Star Lake Hunt Units also require a daily hunt fee. Signature of Hunter Date Authorizations are required for all hunters. This authorization is valid only when signed above and must be carried with you at all times while on the refuge. Authorizations are not transferable. of other hunters afield. Sky-blasting flares game, leaves cripples and disrupts other hunters. Allowing birds to decoy increases your hunting success. Hunting of ducks, geese and coots on McFaddin NWR is ONLY permitted in accordance with all federal, state and local laws; in addition to, signs designating open hunting areas and refuge specific hunting regulations outlined in this hunting brochure below. • Operation of motorized boats on or through emergent wetland vegetation and mudflats is prohibited. Hunter Requirements • Airboats, marsh buggies, ATV’s / UTV’s and personal watercrafts are prohibited. • All hunters entering a hunting unit must be legally licensed to hunt waterfowl. A maximum of 4 licensed, adult hunters per area is permitted. • Scouting will only be allowed from sunrise to sunset during October 23-29, 2020, prior to the state Youth Waterfowl Hunt on October 31, 2020. • Hunters are prohibited from entering hunting units prior to 4:00 A.M. and no later than ½ hour before legal shooting time. Hunting starts at legal shooting time and closes at 12:00 P.M. Hunters must be off the hunt units by 12:30 P.M. • Hunters age 17 or younger must be under the direct supervision of an adult age 18 or older. • To participate in the state designated Youth Waterfowl Hunt, hunters must be 16 years of age or younger and under the direct supervision of an adult age 18 or older. Adults are prohibited from hunting during the Youth Waterfowl Hunt. All hunt units are open during Youth Waterfowl Hunt. • Hunting parties must remain a minimum of 200 yards from other hunting parties and spaced ponds. Individual hunters within a party must remain within 50 feet from other hunters. • Permitted hunters must unload and encase shotguns while traveling in vehicles and boats on the refuge. Possession of firearms is in accordance with federal and state laws. Discharge of a firearm for purposes other than hunting is prohibited. • Hunters must ONLY use or possess shotgun shells containing approved non-toxic shot, (Use or Possession of lead shot is prohibited). • Hunters may only possess 50 approved non-toxic shotgun shells while hunting; this includes shotgun shells within vehicles. • Vehicle travel is permitted on designated roads and parking areas only. Do not block roads, gates, trails, boat ramps or any other facility at any time. Hunting from a roadway is prohibited. • All boat motors greater than 25 HP are prohibited in the hunting units. • Motorized boats powered by air-cooled or radiatorcooled engines are restricted to utilizing a propeller 9 inches in diameter or less. • Use, possession or being under the influence of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs is prohibited. Use or possession of drug paraphernalia is prohibited. • Campfires, charcoal and wood grills are prohibited. (Gas grills may be utilized). • Construction, use or occupancy of permanent hunting blinds is prohibited. Portable blinds or native vegetation are permitted and must be removed from the refuge daily. Cutting, use of or introduction of Phragmites (Giant cane) onto the refuge is prohibited; use or introduction of invasive plants is prohibited and should NOT be used for blind building. • Use of plastic flagging, reflectors or reflective tape is prohibited on the refuge. • Use of retriever dogs is encouraged however, when not engaged in authorized hunting activities all dogs must be under the control of their handlers at all times or on a leash. • All refuge lands must be kept clean during the period of use or occupancy. You must keep all refuse, trash and other litter contained in bags or other suitable containers and not left scattered on the ground or in the water at any time. All personal property, refuse, trash, litter, SPENT SHELLS, marsh chairs and other equipment must be removed from the refuge daily. *Failure to abide by or excessive violations of these refuge specific hunting regulations, federal regulations or state laws may result in revocation of your hunting privileges on McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge by the refuge manager. *The regulations listed above are a supplement to the general regulations set forth in Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations which govern all activities on National Wildlife Refuges. Spaced Blind Hunt Unit (Fee Area) Hunt Unit will be open Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays until February 28, 2021. Note: This may change depending on weather and marsh conditions. Closed for Hunting: During Special Teal Season: closed. Regular Waterfowl Season dates: closed on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Closed during the split and closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Closed during the Light Goose Conservation Order. Closed for Hunting: Regular Waterfowl Season dates: closed on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Closed during the split and closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. • Hunters are required to check-in and check-out of the check station at the entrance to McFaddin NWR. Check-in begins at 4:00 A.M. and all hunters must check-out by 12:30 P.M. Hunters 16 years of age and older are required to purchase a $10.00 day use hunt authorization. There are 28 Spaced Blind Hunt Areas. A maximum of four hunters per area is permitted. • Hunters are required to check-in and check-out of the check station at the entrance to McFaddin NWR, including those hunters accessing the hunt unit from the beach at the Brine Line or Perkins Levee. Check-in begins at 4:00 A.M. and all hunters must check–out by 12:30 P.M. Open for Hunting: Regular Waterfowl Season dates: open on Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays. • Hunters will designate a Spaced Blind Hunt Area based on a reservation system. Reservations will be taken between 8:00 A.M. and 10:00 A.M. the Friday prior to the hunt weekend. Reservations can be made in person at the check station or via telephone at 409-971-2255. There will be a limit of 1 reservation per vehicle present at the check station. No unattended vehicles allowed overnight in the reservation line. Hunters will be required to remain in their reserved area for that day’s hunt. • Permits will be issued to registered hunters beginning at 4:00 A.M. the day of the hunt at the check station. Spaced Blind Hunt Area reservations not claimed by 5:00 A.M. will be issued to stand-by hunters on a first come first serve basis. • Hunter access points via boat are at boat ramps located at the Ten Mile Cut Bridge (Ponds 4,8,9 &10), Spaced Hunt Area #5(Ponds 5, 14, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 & 32) and Spaced Hunt Area #12 (Ponds 11, 12 and 13). Walk-in access is available for ponds: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, & 11. • Accessible hunting blind: Spaced Blind Hunt Area #11 is reserved for hunters with disabilities. It will become available to non-disabled hunters on a stand-by basis at 5:00 A.M. each hunt day. If any disabled hunting parties arrive for stand-by status Spaced Blind Hunt Area #11 will be automatically issued to that party. Star Lake / Clam Lake Hunt Unit (Fee Area) Open for Hunting: Special Teal Season will be open 7 days a week (no fee in the hunt unit during teal season). Regular Waterfowl Season dates will be open Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays. If the Light Goose Conservation Order is in effect during 2021, the Star Lake / Clam Lake • Hunters 16 years of age and older are required to purchase a $10.00 day use hunt authorization. • Hunters will designate their hunting area on a first come, first served basis on a sign-in sheet as well as by placing a sticker on the hunt map in the check station. Hunters will be required to remain in that area for that day’s hunt. • Hunter access points via boat are at boat ramps located on the South-East end of Clam Lake, the NorthWest End of Clam Lake and the East end of Star Lake. Walk-in access points are located off of McFaddin Beach at Perkins Levee and the Brine Line. See map for details. Central Hunt Unit (Non-Fee Area) Open for Hunting: Special Teal Season will be open 7 days a week. Regular Waterfowl Season dates will be open on Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays. If the Light Goose Conservation Order is in effect during 2021, the Central Hunt Unit will be open on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays until February 28, 2021. Note: This may change depending on weather and marsh conditions. Closed for Hunting: Regular Waterfowl Season dates will be closed on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Closed during the split and closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. • The Central Hunt Unit is located East and West of White’s Levee. Walk-in access off of McFaddin Beach is located at two hunter access points. See map for details. Driving accessibility on McFaddin Beach is very remote and uncertain navigational hazards exist. Ongoing construction of the beach berm will occur on this unit throughout waterfowl season. Use extreme caution! Boat access to the interior waterways of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Central Hunt Unit is available off the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Use of a winch or boat rollers is necessary for access to the Central Hunt Unit off of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Access to the interior of the Central Hunt Unit prior to 4:00 A.M. is prohibited. Considerable amounts of silt can accumulate quickly within the West End Cut Access. These conditions will vary over the hunting season. Use extreme care and personal light sources when entering into this area! Hunting closes at 12:00 P.M. and hunters must be out of the hunt unit by 12:30 P.M. Mud Bayou Hunt Unit (Non-Fee Area) Open for Hunting: Special Teal Season will be open 7 days a week. Regular Waterfowl Season dates will be open on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. If the Light Goose Conservation Order is in effect during 2021, the Mud Bayou Hunt Unit will be open on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays until February 28, 2021. Note: This may change depending on weather and marsh conditions. Closed for Hunting: Regular Waterfowl Season dates will be closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Closed during the split and closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. • The Mud Bayou Hunt Unit is located on the West End of McFaddin NWR near High Island, TX. Walk-in access off of McFaddin Beach is located at three hunter access points; Middleton Levee, Mud Lake Levee and the Brush Line. See map for details. Driving accessibility on McFaddin Beach is very remote and uncertain navigational hazards exist. Use extreme caution! Boat access to the interior waterways of the Mud Bayou Hunt Unit is available off the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Access to the interior of the Mud Bayou Hunt Unit prior to 4:00 A.M. is prohibited. Hunting closes at 12:00 P. M. and hunters must out of the hunt unit by 12:30 P.M. NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY PROHIBITED U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE AREA CLOSED To pursuing, hunting, capturing, taking or killing of migratory birds. By order of the SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations. Section 32.4 National Wildlife Refuge. This sign marks the boundary of the refuge. Consult refuge management for authorized activities. WATERFOWL HUNTING ONLY Area Closed. Certain areas of the refuge are closed to visitors for management purposes. Unauthorized entry beyond this sign is prohibited. For inquiries about refuge programs and activities, contact the refuge manager at: Refuge Manager McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 358 Sabine Pass, TX 77655 409/971-2909 409/971-2255 Check Station 409/971-2104 Fax www.fws.gov/refuge/mcfaddin Hunting on all National Wildlife Refuges is a privilege, please respect it. All visitors are subject to inspection. NO HUNTING ZONE No Hunting Zone. This sign marks the boundary of no hunting areas on the refuge. All hunting is prohibited beyond this sign. PUBLIC HUNTING AREA Public Hunting Area. This sign marks the boundaries of the waterfowl hunting areas. Limited public hunting under Federal and State laws. Consult Manager for current regulations. For More Information Contact Waterfowl Hunting Only. This sign marks the boundaries of the waterfowl hunting areas. Special Regulations In Effect–Consult Manager August 2020 Signs and Boundaries The signs below apply to the areas behind the signs. Please respect all refuge signs whenever you see them as you travel throughout the refuge. N . n Co mbe ate Lan d G coas 6 em ile N Cut ) N c Cla m Lak e 11 N 13 Gal ves to Cha mbe n Co. rs C o. 9 2 Hunt areas 1 and 2 are accessible on foot only. 1 Dipping Vat Ponds To Sabine Pass Hunt Check Station 87 Port Arthur 10 Houston 73 10 61 1985 87 124 Gulf of 87 45 ico Anahuac NWR Galveston Mex f lf o Gu 288 Hunter Access Points Boat Launch 10 8 562 Conservation Easement (No Hunt Zone-No Public Access) Private Land 3 Beaumont No Hunt Zone (Area closed, no public access except along hunter access points) Hunting Zone J (Spaced Hunt Unit) (Star Lake/Clam Lake Hunt Unit) [Hwy 87 closed from Clam Lake Road to High Island. Through access requires travel on beach. Travel is often extremely hazardous due to high tide, debris, wash-outs, and loose sand.] C B 25 Cut) 4 ine Brine L ee Boat Access Ditches Refuge Boundary Roads Wh ites Lev (Mud Bayou Hunt Unit) 20 B (Tenm ile N (Central Hunt Unit) E N Road d) oa ance Entr Lake R m (Cla Brush Line nd Mud Lake Levee 26 27 G 14 No Motors outside of Clam Lake Vastar E 28 5 u sla hI Hig Middleton Levee o 18 19 ayo dB Mu Perkins Levee 7 12 (Fiv 31 30 N Star Lake 87 32 aterw tal W tra ulf In 124 124 22 ay Jeff Cha Priv erso rs C o. 29 23 Freeport 0 McFaddin NWR co xi Me 25 Texas Point NWR N 50 Miles