National Wildlife Refuge · Texas · FWS Region 2

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is located in Calhoun County, Texas, with about 93,298 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 6 mapped hunt units: 1 open under general rules, 2 open with special regulations, and 3 closed, covering about 54,646 huntable acres.

1 open unit2 with special regs3 closedPermit requiredYouth hunts
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
6hunt units
54.6Khuntable acres
93.3KFWS-owned acres
3game categories

Aransas NWR hunt unit map

Hunt units are colored by 2026–2027 status. Toggle layers for FWS-owned land, the approved refuge boundary and private easements. Use satellite imagery to scout marshes, timber edges and access points.

Loading interactive map…
OpenSpecial regulationsClosedFWS-owned landWPA (public)Refuge boundaryEasement (private) Tip: switch to Satellite or USGS Topo in the layer menu · click the map for GPS coordinates
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

Hunting at Aransas NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, and feral & exotic here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — tidal / saltwater fishing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license. Special youth hunting opportunities are offered.

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge appeals to deer hunters looking for a challenge. This coastal refuge harbors good numbers of deer and feral hogs, but finding them in the thick, brushy habitat often is difficult.

Youth hunting

Two rifle hunts, for white-tailed deer and feral hogs, are held each year. Permits are issued by lottery.

All refuges with youth hunts →
Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsFeral & ExoticFeral hogs and other non-native species where refuge rules allow

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow Texas regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (6)

Acreage by status
Open: 18,962 (21%)Special regulations: 35,683 (39%)Closed: 36,123 (40%)54.6Khuntable acres
  • Open18,962 ac 21%
  • Special regulations35,683 ac 39%
  • Closed36,123 ac 40%
Units by size (acres)
Blackjack North
19,738 ac
Matagorda North
18,962 ac
Closed Area
17,177 ac
Blackjack South
15,946 ac
Matagorda South
11,563 ac
Tatton
7,383 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Matagorda North
Show on map · Directions		 Open 18,962 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 A signed refuge tearsheet is required to be carried at all times by individuals hunting on the refuge.
🧒 Two rifle hunts, for white-tailed deer and feral hogs, are held each year. Permits are issued by…
Blackjack North
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 19,738 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 A signed refuge tearsheet is required to be carried at all times by individuals hunting on the refuge.
🧒 Two rifle hunts, for white-tailed deer and feral hogs, are held each year. Permits are issued by…
Blackjack South
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 15,946 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 A signed refuge tearsheet is required to be carried at all times by individuals hunting on the refuge.
🧒 Two rifle hunts, for white-tailed deer and feral hogs, are held each year. Permits are issued by…
Closed Area
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 17,177 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 A signed refuge tearsheet is required to be carried at all times by individuals hunting on the refuge.
🧒 Two rifle hunts, for white-tailed deer and feral hogs, are held each year. Permits are issued by…
Matagorda South
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 11,563 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 A signed refuge tearsheet is required to be carried at all times by individuals hunting on the refuge.
🧒 Two rifle hunts, for white-tailed deer and feral hogs, are held each year. Permits are issued by…
Tatton
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 7,383 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 A signed refuge tearsheet is required to be carried at all times by individuals hunting on the refuge.
🧒 Two rifle hunts, for white-tailed deer and feral hogs, are held each year. Permits are issued by…

Aransas NWR by the numbers

With about 54,646 huntable acres, Aransas NWR ranks #2 of 16 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Texas and #44 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 60% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Blackjack North (19,738 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, Blackjack South, covers 15,946 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

3 units totaling 36,123 acres are closed to hunting (Closed Area, Matagorda South, and Tatton). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

Besides 93,298 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 26,170 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.

When to hunt Aransas NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Texas sets the exact dates, and refuges often open fewer days than the statewide season — use this to plan scouting, then confirm the 2026–2027 dates in the state regulations and the refuge hunt brochure.

Typical season windows — Big Game, Waterfowl, Feral & Exotic
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🐗 Feral & Exotic
Feral hog (often year-round)

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

A signed refuge tearsheet is required to be carried at all times by individuals hunting on the refuge.

Type: Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

  • 🪧 Kiosk at the refuge
  • 💻 Online (FWS)
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid Texas hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
  • Federal Duck Stamp (waterfowl hunters 16+) and HIP certification for migratory birds
  • Non-toxic shot for waterfowl (federal requirement)
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Aransas NWR

  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing

Wade fishing access from the Aransas Unit to San Antonio Bay is permitted April 15-October 15, daylight hours only. Four wade fishing access points are available: picnic area, Bay Overlook, Dagger Point and the observation tower areas.

State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.

How to get to Aransas NWR

Navigate

Destination: Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
28.24137, -96.62220
DMS
28°14′28.9″N 96°37′19.9″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Rockport, TX30 mi NE of town
  • Victoria, TX45 mi SE of town
  • Corpus Christi, TX56 mi NE of town
  • Bay City, TX65 mi SW of town

Closest airports

  • CRP Corpus Christi Intl63 mi
  • IAH Houston Bush Intercontinental143 mi

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is the station reference location published by USFWS — often the headquarters or main entrance. For a specific hunt unit, open its page or click it on the map for coordinates and parking planning.

Sunrise, sunset & shooting hours

Today at Aransas NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in Chicago local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:34 AM7:04 AM7:49 PM12h 45m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM7:32 PM12h 22m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:48 AM7:18 AM7:13 PM11h 55m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:56 AM7:26 AM6:58 PM11h 32m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:07 AM6:37 AM5:42 PM11h 05m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:18 AM6:48 AM5:34 PM10h 46m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM5:30 PM10h 30m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM5:32 PM10h 22m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:48 AM7:18 AM5:40 PM10h 23m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:49 AM7:19 AM5:50 PM10h 32m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:44 AM7:14 AM6:05 PM10h 51m

Computed for 28.241, -96.622 (CDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

7-day hunting weather

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Guides for hunting Aransas NWR

Deer Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Quota Hunts, Archery Units and Stand Rules

How refuge deer hunts work — lotteries and quota permits, archery-only and muzzleloader units, tree-stand rules…

Public-Land Duck Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Tactics That Work

How to find ducks, beat the crowds and set up on refuge marshes and WPAs — scouting, timing, small decoy spreads for…

Federal Duck Stamp Explained: Who Needs One, Where to Buy It and Where the Money Goes

Everything waterfowl hunters need to know about the Federal Duck Stamp — who must carry it, signing rules, the…

Nontoxic Shot Guide for Refuge and WPA Hunters

Why lead shot is banned for waterfowl, which nontoxic loads are approved, how steel, bismuth and tungsten compare, and…

Feral Hog Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges

Why many refuges allow — and encourage — feral hog hunting, how refuge rules handle hogs, safe shot placement, disease…

Fishing National Wildlife Refuges: Licenses, Seasons, Boats and Where to Go

What to know before fishing a National Wildlife Refuge or fish hatchery — state licenses, seasonal closures that…

Aransas NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Aransas NWR?

Yes. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 3 units (54,646 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, and feral & exotic. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Aransas NWR?

Yes — Aransas National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Signed Brochure or Similar. Permits can be obtained kiosk, online through fws, or visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Aransas NWR?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (tidal / saltwater fishing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Aransas NWR located?

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is in Calhoun County, Texas, about 30 miles NE of Rockport, TX (straight-line). GPS: 28.24137, -96.62220.

What are legal shooting hours at Aransas NWR?

Migratory game bird shooting hours are generally one-half hour before sunrise to sunset; big game and other seasons follow state rules. See the sunrise/sunset table on this page and confirm in the refuge hunt brochure.

Nearby refuges & public land

Big Boggy NWR

Matagorda County, TX · 61 mi NE

2 open1 closed
🦆

1.3K huntable acres

San Bernard NWR

Brazoria County, TX · 79 mi NE

4 open1 closed
🦆🎣

7K huntable acres

Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR

Colorado County, TX · 102 mi N

1 closed
No hunting listed

Brazoria NWR

Brazoria County, TX · 107 mi NE

5 open1 special1 closed
🦆🕊️🎣

10.9K huntable acres

San Marcos Aquatic Resources Center

Hays County, TX · 137 mi NW

1 closed
🎣

Laguna Atascosa NWR

Cameron County, TX · 148 mi S

11 special1 closed
🦌🦆🕊️🐗🎣

80.3K huntable acres

All refuges in Texas →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated October 28, 2026.