Sam Houston National Forest WMA: Activities at a Glance

Hunting

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.

Detailed Hunting Information for the Sam Houston National Forest WMA

Biking

Bicycling is a healthy and enjoyable activity that is available in many of the Wildlife Management Areas of Texas.

A developed mountain bike trail is located in the Double Lake Recreation Area. Other bicycles can use the established forest service roads.

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.

Detailed Camping Information for the Sam Houston National Forest WMA

Driving

There aren't any designated driving tours, but many roads and highways running through the Area provide access to all parts of the National Forest/WMA.

Equestrian

• While in designated campsites, horses should be kept haltered on a lead or in a pen area authorized by department personnel.
• All horses must be certified to be free of Equine Infectious Anemia. Horse owners/riders must carry such certification (negative Coggins Test results) during their stay and present such documentation upon request.

The multiuse trail, forest service roads and areas cleared for pipelines are used as horse riding trails.

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.

Fishing is allowed with a legal fishing license.

Predominant Fish Species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, hybrid striped bass, channel catfish, white bass

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.

The established 130 mile Lone Star Hiking Trail as well as the multi-use trail, forest service roads, areas cleared for pipelines leads through a variety of terrains.

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 Sam Houston National Forest WMA