Matagorda Island WMA: Hunting

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.

Hunting on Matagorda Island WMA

Hunters must have a valid Texas Hunting License to hunt on Matagorda Island WMA. The Information Station on the WMA is where hunters can check in to participate in hunting activites. The Information Station is accessed by boat approximately 7 miles from Port O'Connor across the Espiritu Santo Bay. Hunters can call the Rockport office at (361) 790-0307 for information.

• An APH or LPU is required to camp in the campground adjacent to the check station.
• No Regular Daily Hunting Permits are issued on the WMA.
• Visitors under 17 years of age must hunt under the supervision of a permitted authorized adult. Hunter Education is required of Texas hunters born on or after September 2, 1971.
• Accommodations for hunters with disabilities - If you need accommodations to hunt, please contact the WMA contact (361) 205-1510 at least 2 weeks in advance of your hunt to discuss the options that are available.
• Hunters should bring all tent camping equipment and supplies. There is no electricity, concession or drinking water on the WMA.
• There are no cold storage facilities on the island and hunters should arrange to transport harvested animals to the mainland as soon as possible.
• Visitors engaged in hunting activities on the WMA must not be under the influence of alcohol or consume or possess alcoholic beverages.

Walk-in Hunting for Waterfowl

Waterfowl hunting is allowed on the WMA during the South Zone Duck season dates for Calhoun County. Whooping cranes frequent the Bayside Marsh, are an endangered species and protected from hunting. Hunters are cautioned do not shoot whooping cranes! Hunting of geese is prohibited.

Refer to these resources for hunting information:
Annual Public Hunting What You Need to Know.
Migratory Game Bird Regulations.
Matagorda Island WMA Aerial Hunting Map
Matagorda Island WMA Hunting Map and Regulations

Upland Unit:

• Means Restriction: Shotguns with non-toxic shot are the legal means that may be used or possessed during hunts.
• Hunters camping overnight on the island must be checked in the night prior to their hunt.
• All hunters are required to check-in and check-out at the Information Station. Hunter check-in begins at 5:00 am and ends at 5:30 am.
• There are 17 hunting sites available on the WMA. Hunters will select hunt sites based on a first-come, first-served basis. Hunters will hunt their designated pond only; no jump shooting of adjacent ponds.
• All hunters are transported to and from hunt sites by TPWD personnel. TPWD vehicles will depart headquarters at 5:30 am to begin dropping off hunters.
• Shooting hours end at noon.
• Hunters will return to headquarters in a TPWD vehicle only to complete the checkout procedure at the check station.

Bayside Marsh Unit:

• No APH Permit is required to hunt waterfowl.
• No check in or registration required.
• Airboats are permitted within the Bayside Marsh Unit only.
• Waterfowl may be hunted and harvested during the entire South Zone Duck season.
• Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Special Permit Drawn Hunts

Special Permit hunts may be offered for white-tailed deer. Check Matagorda Island WMA Drawn Hunts for the latest information. White-tailed deer hunting regulations that apply to Calhoun County will apply to Matagorda Island WMA. Hunters selected for a Special Drawn Permit do not need to purchase an APH to enter the WMA.

• Hunters selected for a Special Permit for Deer Hunting and who have accepted their hunt, are required to arrive before 11:00 a.m. to Matagorda Island WMA Information Station to check-in on the first day of their hunt.
• Hunters unable to attend their hunt or not able to arrive on the first day for orientation, must contact the area as soon as possible.
• If there is a vacancy, standby hunters must report to the Check Station by 10 am to complete the application process. The standby drawing for vacancies will be held at 11 am. Hunters must be present to participate in the drawing.
• Deer hunting will be from permanent stands only. Hunter placement in stands will be as assigned by the hunt supervisor. Hunters should be physically able to climb a 5-foot stand.
• Deer hunters are required to visibly wear at least 400 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange clothing with 144 square inches on the front and back above the waistline and orange headwear.
• A short orientation will be held, then hunters will be transported with a TPWD vehicle to a hunting stand.
• A TPWD Legal Deer Tag, issued at the WMA, must be attached to a harvested deer before leaving the hunt area.
• Hunters will return to headquarters in a TPWD vehicle only to complete the checkout procedure at the check station.