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Kerr WMA: Hunting

Phone: (830) 238-4483
Address:
2625 FM 1340
Hunt, TX 78024

Contact: Ryan Reitz

Dates Open:

Public access is open year round (see map for details), except closed for Special Permit hunts. Hunting is not allowed on the WMA except through Public Drawn System hunts. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Kerr WMA Driving Tour & Birding Map:

Events

Seminars and tours are annually hosted on the Kerr Wildlife Management Area (WMA).

Seminars include information on historical accounts of the Texas Hill Country and the Kerr WMA along with ecosystems management information using a holistic approach to land improvement. They also cover a summary of past and present deer research, over 40 years, from the Donnie E. Harmel White-tailed Deer Research Facility; an update on the status of feral hogs; a look at different management techniques for deer and general wildlife and an overview of TPWD programs that are available to assist landowners. We also offer a field tour of the WMA and the research facilities.

Please contact the Kerr WMA headquarters by calling (830) 238-4483 for more information and registration.

Registration is required.

Hunting

Hunting Permitted

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.

No hunting allowed without WMA authorization

Public hunting on the Kerr WMA is a part of the overall wildlife management program. By allowing hunting of deer and turkey on the Kerr WMA, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is implementing hunting as an effective tool for controlling wildlife populations while also providing the general public more hunting opportunity. Hunting on the WMA may be challenging because of the excellent range conditions, dense brush areas and wary animals. Hunter success (percentage of hunters that harvest an animal) varies from year to year, but we average a 59% success rate on deer hunts and a 39% success rate on turkey hunts. The majority of hunters have an enjoyable hunting experience and report seeing several good quality, mature animals. Hunter selection is conducted only through the TPWD Public Hunting Draw system.

Hunts are by drawing only.

Adult hunter and child sitting on a rock with a deer
Adult hunter and child with a deer.

Hunting Information

Kerr WMA Texas Public Hunts Categories

There are NO APH Permit Hunts on the Kerr WMA.

Special Permit Hunts (Drawn Hunts)

Check the Public Hunting Lands Map Booklet and the Drawn Hunts Online System for information on the special drawn hunts.*

*Drawn hunters do not need to purchase an Annual Public Hunting Permit except when applying for the E-postcard hunt category.

Special Regulations

  • Hunters should report to the hunter check station located at the WMA Headquarters prior to 11:00 a.m. on the first day of the hunt to attend orientation. Hunting will start at 12:00 noon on the first day and will end at 11:00 a.m. the last day during the dates assigned.
  • Hunters may only hunt in their assigned compartment. All compartments have ground, house, and tower blinds available.
  • All hunters must check in and out of their compartments daily at the hunter check station.
  • No camping or fires will be allowed on the WMA. Camping facilities are available in the Kerrville and Ingram area.
  • Use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) is prohibited, except by disabled persons.
  • Baiting of wildlife is prohibited except when performed in accordance with written authorization of the Department. Check with area staff prior to the hunt.
  • Shooting hours will be from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
  • On all hunts, except turkey hunts, all persons must wear a minimum of 400 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange material with orange headwear and 144 inches appearing on both the chest and back.
  • Visitors or family members will not be allowed to accompany hunting permit holders to hunting areas; except in the case of a non-hunting adult assisting a permitted disabled hunter.
  • Hunter Education is required of Texas hunters born on or after September 2, 1971, see Outdoor Annual Hunter Education for more information.
  • It is an offense for a person to consume or be under the influence of alcohol while engaged in a hunting activity, or to publicly consume or display an alcoholic beverage while on any WMA.

Additional Information

  • No hunting allowed without WMA authorization
  • All Hunts are administered through the TPWD Public Hunt Drawing System. The Kerr WMA is not part of the annual public hunting lands program. To avoid interference with research and management activities, WE DO NOT allow for Quail and Mourning Dove Annual Public Hunting Permit Hunts.