San Bernard

San Bernard NWR https://www.fws.gov/refuge/san_bernard/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Bernard_National_Wildlife_Refuge The San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge is located along the coast of Texas, south of the towns of Sweeny and Brazoria. It encloses a bay behind a barrier island at the Gulf of Mexico. The refuge provides quality habitat for wintering migratory waterfowl and other bird life. The three national wildlife refuges on the Texas coast - Brazoria, San Bernard and Big Boggy - form a vital complex of coastal wetlands harboring more than 300 bird species.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Hunting Regulations San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge has three public hunting areas and one Permit hunting area. All of the public hunting areas are accessible by boat only. The Cedar Lake Public Waterfowl Hunting Area is south of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The Smith Marsh Public Waterfowl Hunting Area is on the west side of Cedar Lakes Creek. Salt Bayou Public Waterfowl Hunting Area is accessible from Cedar Lake Creek, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway or through the shallow Cowtrap Lakes systems. • All public waterfowl hunting areas are open every morning beginning at 4:00 AM, closing at 12:00 PM (Noon) during the state waterfowl hunting seasons. Access to the public hunting areas is by public water routes. A refuge boat ramp is available on Cedar Lake Creek for small boats. Dredge disposal areas along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway are not open for publis hunting. We Require the following: The Sargent Permit Waterfowl Hunt at San Bernard NWR offers a controlled hunting opportunity with walk-in access. The hunt is held each Saturday and the following Wednesday during waterfowl season. Hunters must apply for the lottery in accordance with Sargent Permit Waterfowl Hunt guidelines. The regulations listed below supplement the general regulations that govern activities on National Wildlife Refuges set forth in Title 50, U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. Waterfowl hunting is allowed at San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations on areas posted as open to hunting and as shown on the map on the reverse side of this pamphlet. Hunters age 17 and under must be under the direct supervision of an adult 18 or older. We permit the following: • • • Hunting of ducks, geese, mergansers, and coots only. Hunters to enter the refuge hunt units no earlier than 4:00 AM. Use of approved non-toxic shot only. • • • • • • • Use of the area on a first come, first served basis. Use of retriever dogs, which must be under the control of the handler at all times. The use of motorized boats, including airboats, in open tidal waters. Motorized boats may only enter shallow water by drifting, polling, or by means of trolling motor where it does not cause damage to vegetation or the bottom. Vehicles to park in designated parking area, and in such a manner as to not obstruct normal vehicle traffic. Removal of decoys, boats, spent shells, marsh chairs, vegetation (blind material) and other equipment and trash from the refuge daily. Shotguns to be unloaded and cased or broken down when transported in vehicles. Hunters to maintain a minimum distance of 200 yards between parties. We Prohibit the following: • • • • • • • • • Building or use of pits or permanent blinds. Use or possession of alcoholic beverages in all public hunting areas and parking lots. Off road vehicle travel or ATV use on the refuge. Target shooting or target practice. Dog training–with or without the use of firearms. The use of plastic flagging, reflectors or reflective tape. Blocking gates and roadways. Entry (Scouting) in Public Hunting Areas prior to the opening of State specified waterfowl hunting season. The operation of motorized boats on or through emergent and submergent wetland vegetation, or in shallow water where bottom gouging could occur. San Bernard NWR is located 10 miles west of Lake Jackson. Take FM 2004 and FM2611 to FM 2918, then turn east one mile to CR 306. For More Information For inquiries about the program, contact: San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge 6801 CR 306 Brazoria, TX 77422 979/964/3639 979/964/3210 Fax www.fws.gov/refuge/San_Bernard Texas Mid-Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex 2547 CR 316 Brazoria, TX 77422 979/964/4011 979/964/4021 Fax July 2020 To SH 2611 c N Br az or ia M at ag o da Co .5 Ce 0 a rd SH 45 7 31 /2 1 l sta oa rac Int Smith Marsh Waterfowl Hunt Area Creek 2 x ay w er at W 3 tal as co ra Int Tra p ke 4 Miles La ulf G ay 4 rw te Wa s Lake Salt Bayou Waterfowl Hunt Area Cow ke Sargent Permit Waterfowl Hunt Area y nt Co u La to Mi les Sa N h Sloug Tower Co r k bu e kl 457 306 Sa n 2611 rn a of rd e Lak 3 Sargent Be o xic e M Cedar Lake Creek Waterfowl Hunt Area r da Ce ay rw ate lW sta coa Creek ree eC ey MAY 2009 N ak rL da Can 457 Sa n 2611 2004 Ri ve 288 er Riv N 10 e r Lak Ceda 1 0 N 20 Fishing Area Headquarters Boat Ramp Hiking Trail Paddling Trail Unimproved Road Gravel Road Refuge Boundary Hunt Area Refuge Legend r da Ce ke La 2 r Rive lf Gu o ic ex M Pelican of Lake 523 30 Miles Surfside To Galveston Freeport Quintana 332 To Houston ay rw ate lW rMcNeal asta o c a Lake Intr 36 288 B Lake Jackson San Bernard NWR 2918 rd a Intr 521 River 524 332 Brazoria rna Moccasin Pond Auto Tour Rail Pond ard ern nB Sa Old Ocean Be Ce Wolfweed Wetland 6

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Sargent Unit Hunt Regulations San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge will accept applications for the permit waterfowl hunts in the Sargent Unit from September 1 until September 30. We must receive all applications during that period and will not accept any applications received before or after these dates. A $45.00 fee will be collected if selected. Lottery Draw Information We will hold a public drawing at the Complex Office on the second Wednesday in October at 9:00 a.m. You do not need to be present to be selected. If selected, permittees are allowed to hunt on Saturday and the following Wednesday of the week for which they have been selected. The permittee may bring up to three additional party members. This may include any combination of hunters and children observers (ages 9 and under). The permittee must be present for hunts. We will notify persons selected by e-mail within 10 days. Upon payment a hunt packet including the permit, regulations, and map will be e-mailed. Due to ease of access, we will give priority for Area #1 to those with limited mobility. Undrawn hunt areas/weeks may be purchased on a first come, first serve basis beginning the Thursday of the hunt week. We only accept one application per person. You must be 18 years or older to apply for a permit. You must be legally licensed to hunt waterfowl before entering the hunt area. Youth hunters, 17 years and younger, must be under the supervision of an adult 18 years or older while hunting on the refuge. Your permit allows you and your hunt party to enter the refuge at 4:00 a.m. You and your hunt party must have exited the refuge no later than 1:30 p.m. Please be courteous of other hunters as you enter and leave the hunt area. It is your responsibility as the permittee to provide surveys for your hunt party. We Allow the following: • • Hunting of ducks, geese, mergansers, and coots only. Use of approved non-toxic shot only. • • • Use of retriever dogs, which must be under the control of the handler at all times. A maximum of twenty-five (25) shot shells in the field, per person. Non-motorized and e-bicycles are allowed on levee roads beyond the designated parking area within the hunt boundaries. We require the following: • You to stay within 100 yards of your assigned hunt area. • Hunters to access hunt areas through gate on FM 457 and park in designated area. • Removal of decoys, spent shells, marsh chairs, vegetation (blind material) and other equipment and trash from the refuge daily. • Shotguns to be unloaded and cased or broken down when transported in vehicles. • Shotguns to remain unloaded to and from hunt areas. • Hunting to cease at 12:00 p.m. (noon). We prohibit the following: • Building or use of pits or permanent blinds. • Use or possession of alcoholic beverages in hunt areas and parking lots. • Off-road vehicle travel or ATV use on the refuge. • Target shooting or target practice. • Dog training – with or without the use of firearms. • The use of plastic flagging, reflectors, or reflective tape. • Blocking gates and roadways. Other Information Hunting will be in accordance with all State and Federal regulations. The regulations stated in this document supplement the general regulations set forth in Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, which govern activities on national wildlife refuges. Each party leader must have the permit in his/her possession with all party members identified. Hunt permits are not valid until filled out and signed by all the hunters. By signing the permit, you acknowledge understanding and acceptance of the regulations for the Sargent Waterfowl Permit Hunt. Depending on your hunt area location, you may be required to walk up to 1-1/2 miles to access the area. The trails are marked. Dogs should remain on a leash to and from the hunt area. If you encounter a snake, leave it alone. For More Information For inquiries about the program, contact: San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge 6801 CR 306 Brazoria, TX 77422 979/964/3639 979/964/3210 Fax www.fws.gov/refuge/San_Bernard Texas Mid-Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex 2547 CR 316 Brazoria, TX 77422 979/964/4011 979/964/4021 Fax July 2020 0 A 1 Parking Trail Markers .25 Hunt Area Number Refuge Boundary Private Land Hunt Area Refuge Legend A 1 N M .5 mile W 6 K W T V 7 H F 8 X 5 al st oa rac Int 9 G Matagorda a Intr ay y Big Boggy NWR wa ter a W 10 terw l Wa sta coa Chinquapin 457 2918 of x Me 5 lf Gu San Bernard NWR lf Gu Sargent Unit 306 2611 ico 100 of 15 Miles ic o ex M r Ri ve 36 s B 2 4 CR262 521 457 521 2611 2004 azo To CR 457 C E Wadsworth Creek Sa n rd 3 D 60 y Cane 524 rna 95° 35' 56.46" W 95° 35' 47.22" W 95° 35' 43.32" W 95° 35' 29.70" W 95° 35' 14.60" W 95° 35' 42.80" W 95° 35' 27.30" W 95° 35' 16.44" W 95° 35' 15.20" W 95° 35' 01.08" W 457 Directions to the Sargent Unit of the San