McFaddinMcFaddin - Hunting 2020/2021 |
Waterfowl Hunting Regulations 2020-2021 at McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Texas. Published by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).
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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