Alert

Practice social distancing even when outdoors.

Please follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Texas Department of State Health Services.

WMA Operations Update.

Campgrounds at TPWD Wildlife Management Areas are closed to overnight camping. Winners of drawn hunts need to contact the hunt managers for further information.

See list of temporary closures and operations adjustments.

  J.D. Murphree WMA Public Use Links:
  Wildlife Management Area Links:
 

J.D. Murphree WMA: Rules

Phone: (409) 736-2551
Address:
10 Parks & Wildlife Dr.
Port Arthur, TX 77640

Contact: Michael Rezsutek

Dates Open:

Due to regional flooding, Early Teal hunts are canceled through September 29, 2019.

Fishing, wildlife viewing and other non-consumptive uses are available seasonally as provided by information in the TPWD Public Hunting Lands Permit Map Booklet. These activities are limited during scheduled public hunts for September teal and regular waterfowl, feral hog and alligator seasons.

General Access

The WMA is divided into three units:
Big Hill Unit - Open to hunters only on designated days and to fishers during daylight hours only from March 1 through August 31. Big Hill is located north of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) and is the check station for waterfowl hunts. Big Hill Bayou is open to fishers from the Monday following the close of the South Zone duck season until October 31. Open for wildlife viewing any day a hunt is not in progress.
Hillebrandt Unit - Open to hunters only on designated days. Open for wildlife viewing any day a hunt is not in progress.
Salt Bayou Unit - Open to hunters only on designated days and to fishers during daylight hours only during the period of March 1 through August 31. Keith Lake, Johnson Lake and Salt Bayou are open to fishing 24 hours a day year-round. Open for wildlife viewing any day a hunt is not in progress.

Permits Required

Visitors 17 years of age and older must possess an Annual Public Hunting Permit (APH), Limited Public Use Permit (LPU) or Texas Conservation Passport (TCP).