Gus Engeling WMA: Activities at a Glance
Phone: (903) 928-2251
Address:
16149 North US Hwy 287
Tennessee Colony, TX 75861
Contact:
Kyle Brunson
Dates Open:
Open except for drawn hunts in Fall and Winter. Please call ahead when planning to visit during hunting season.
Dates Closed:
September 29, 2025 through March 9, 2026
Daily On-site Registration is required of all visitors. General public access to the area is during daylight hours through designated legal entry points only and by Annual Public Hunting or Limited Public Use Permits.
Registration is required.
Hunting
Wildlife Management Areas 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.
Biking
Bicycling is a healthy and enjoyable activity that is available in many of the Wildlife Management Areas of Texas.
Biking on the Gus Engeling WMA
During daylight hours visitors with an APH/LPU may ride bikes on the Gus Engeling WMA on designated roads. Bring your own drinking water.
Camping
- Users may not camp or build a fire anywhere other than in a designated campsite.
- Users may not cause, create, or contribute to excessive or disturbing sounds beyond the person's immediate campsite between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- Users may not establish a camp and leave it unattended for a period of longer than 24 hours.
- Users must remove refuse from the area upon departing.
- Cutting of firewood is prohibited.
Camping on the Gus Engeling WMA
Visitors with an APH/LPU may camp on the WMA, in designated campgrounds, except during whole area closures. Potable water and ADA restrooms are available at the WMA campground.
Driving
During daylight hours visitors with an APH/LPU may take a self-guided driving tour that guides visitors through nine stops on the WMA showing the wildlife habitat and management techniques applied on the WMA. Watch your step as all four varieties of venomous snakes live on the WMA.
Fishing
For general information on fishing requirements and restrictions, see the Outdoor Annual Fishing Regulations. For information on fishing licenses, stamps, and tags see Outdoor Annual Fishing Licenses.
Hiking
Hiking is an enjoyable activity that is available in many of the Wildlife Management Areas of Texas. Since potable water is not available on many of the Wildlife Management Areas, it is a good idea to bring plenty of drinking water.
Wildlife Viewing
Viewing wildlife is an enjoyable activity that is available in many of the Wildlife Management Areas of Texas.
Detailed Wildlife Viewing Information for the Gus Engeling WMA