Hunting

 

2023-2024 Hunting Program at Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

Within the boundaries of Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, these dates and bag limits apply for the 2023-2024 hunting season. The dates have been set after consultation from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Biologists to increase populations and enhance habitats.

• DOWNLOAD A HUNTING MAP [.pdf, 9.9MB] NOTE: This is a very large file and may take several minutes or more to download. If you are unable to download the hunting map, please call [phone], or e-mail us to request a copy be mailed to you free of charge.
• DOWNLOAD HUNTING INFORMATION AND REGULATIONS for Lake Meredith National Recreation Area.
• You also may get a hunting map and other information by coming to Park Headquarters (419 E. Broadway, Fritch, Texas), Alibates Visitor Center (37084 Alibates Rd., Potter County, TX 79036), by calling (806) 857- 3151, e-mail us, or by mailing your request to Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, P.O. Box 1460, Fritch, TX 79036.

Can you tell Mule Deer from White-tail Deer? See the bottom of this page for identification.

 

White-tail Doe

NPS Photo

WHITE-TAILED DEER:

Archery Season: September 30 - November 3, 2023

Bag Limit: 3 deer (no more than 1 buck and no more than 2 antlerless -- all seasons combined)

General Season: November 4, 2023-January 7, 2024

Bag Limit: 3 deer (no more than 1 buck and no more than 2 antlerless -- all seasons combined)

Special Youth Seasons:

• October 28-29, 2023 (early open season)
• January 8-21, 2024 (late open season)

Bag Limit: 3 deer (no more than 1 buck and no more than 2 antlerless -- all seasons combined)

[Special White-tail Youth Hunts restricted to persons 16 years of age or younger. A Special Resident Hunting (Type 169) license is required.]

 

Mule deer--taking a mule deer doe is a violation of the LACEY ACT under Title 16 United States Code Chapter 53-Sec. 3372. Taking of a mule deer doe may result in a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 and a criminal penalty of not more than $20,000, or imprisoned for not more than five years,

Photo credit - Jacob Blashill

MULE DEER:

Archery Season: September 30-November 3, 2023

Bag Limit: 1 buck mule deer

General Season: November 18 - December 3, 2023

Bag Limit: 1 buck mule deer (both seasons combined)

DOVE:

Regular Seasons:

• September 1-November 12, 2023
• December15-31, 2023

Daily Bag Limit: 15 mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped (white-fronted) doves in the aggregate, including no more than 2 white-tipped doves per day.
Possession Limit: 45 in the aggregate, including no more than 4 white-tipped doves in possession.

TEAL:

Season: September 9-24, 2023

Bag Limit: 6 in the aggregate
Possession Limit: 18 in the aggregate

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON REGULATIONS FOR HUNTING DUCKS, GEESE AND OTHER WATERFOWL, visit Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

 

Turkeys are easy to spot around Lake Meredith National Recreation Area.

NPS Photo - D. Yates

TURKEY: Gobblers or Bearded Hens

Archery ONLY Season: September 30-November 3, 2023 (Gobblers ONLY)
Spring Season: March 30-May 12, 2024 (Shotgun or Archery ONLY)
Special Youth Seasons: October 28-29, 2023 (Shotgun or Archery ONLY)
January 8-21, 2024 (Shotgun or Archery ONLY)
March 23-24, 2024
May 18-19, 2024

Bag Limit: 4 (all seasons combined)

QUAIL:

Season: October 28, 2023 — February 25, 2024

Daily bag limit: 15 per day
Possession limit: 45

PHEASANT:

Season: December 2, 2023-December 31, 2023

Daily bag limit: 3 cock pheasants
Possession: 6 cock pheasants

 

LAKE MEREDITH NATIONAL RECREATION AREA NON-GAME HUNTING SEASON:

RABBIT: October 28, 2023 - February 25, 2024

COYOTE: October 28, 2023 - February 25, 2024

To report hunting or game violations contact a Park Ranger or Game Warden, or call (800)792-GAME or 911.

During the White-tailed General Deer Season and Special Youth Seasons, ALL HUNTERS MUST WEAR BLAZE ORANGE CLOTHING. Clothing consists of both a hat and vest totaling 400 square inches worn conspicuously above the waist. We highly recommend that Blaze Orange be worn during the entire gun season inside Lake Meredith National Recreation Area.

Note: Migratory bird hunters on the waters of Lake Meredith are exempt.

*Special White-tailed Youth Hunts* are restricted to persons 16 years of age or younger. A Special Resident Hunting (Type 169) license is required. Youth Season at Lake Meredith National Recreation Area is for White-tailed deer only.

Hunting for game species not listed in this brochure is prohibited within the boundaries of Lake Meredith National Recreation Area and Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument.

Hunting or releasing feral livestock within the boundaries of the park including feral pigs is prohibited.

Permanent stands or blinds are prohibited.

Temporary blinds must have the hunter's name and telephone number on the blind, and the blind must be removed within 24 hours of hunt.

Baiting of animals is prohibited.

Shooting from across a roadway is prohibited.

As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in this park. It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this park. As a starting point, please visit our state's website. http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/PE/htm/PE.46.htm Federal law also prohibits firearms in certain facilities in this park; those places are marked with signs at all public entrances.

Camping for up to 30 days between October 1 and December 31 is allowed. Leaving a camp unattended for more than 24 hours is prohibited. Digging or leveling the ground for a camp is prohibited.

Fires are not permitted in the backcountry. Burning pallets with nails/hardware in them is prohibited unless the hazards are removed before burning.

Traveling off designated roads with motor vehicles is prohibited.

Use of artificial light is prohibited.

Operating an OHV outside designated areas is prohibited.

Target shooting or weapon sighting is prohibited. Weapons may only be discharged at legal game. Primitive black powder weapons may be discharged prior to transport in a motor vehicle.

NO HUNTING IS ALLOWED AT ANY TIME WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF ALIBATES FLINT QUARRIES NATIONAL MONUMENT.

 

Mule Deer vs. Whitetail Deer

Can you tell the difference between Mule Deer and White-tail Deer?

Mule Deer



White-tail deer



Face:

The Mule Deer face is mostly white from the nose to the eyes. A White-tail deer face is mostly brown, like the rest of its fur, and has white rings around its eyes and nose.

Tail:

The Mule Deer’s rump has a very large patch of white, only partly covered by a thin, white tail with a black tip. A White-tail Deer covers most of its narrow white patch with a thick, dark tail. However, a White-tail raises its tail to alert others of danger.

 

Side view of Mule Deer and White-tail deer.

Photo Credit: Wayne D. Lewis