Hunting

 

2024-2025 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 2024-2025 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.
• You also may get a hunting map and a Hunting Brochure 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 28 - November 1, 2024

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

General Season: November 2, 2024-January 5, 2025

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

Special Youth Seasons:

• October 25-27, 2024 (early open season)
• January 6-19, 2025 (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 28-November 1, 2024

Bag Limit: 1 buck mule deer,both seasons combined

General Season: November 23 - December 8, 2024

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

DOVE:

Regular Seasons:

• September 1-November 10, 2024
• December 20, 2024 - January 7, 2025

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 14-29, 2024

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

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON REGULATIONS:
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

Spring Season: March 29 - May 11, 2025 (Shotgun or Archery ONLY)
Special Use Spring Seasons: January 6-19, 2025 (Shotgun or Archery ONLY)

Bag Limit: 4 (All seasons combined)

Youth Only Spring Seasons:
March 22-23 2025
May 17-18, 2025

QUAIL:

Season: October 26, 2024 — February 23, 2025

Daily bag limit: 15 per day
Possession limit: 45

PHEASANT:

Season: December 7, 2024-January 5,2025

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

 

LAKE MEREDITH NATIONAL RECREATION AREA NON-GAME HUNTING SEASON:

RABBIT: October 26, 2024 - February 23, 2025

COYOTE: October 26, 2024 - February 23, 2025

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