Hunt unit · Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

Matagorda North Hunt Unit Map & Access

OpenPermit requiredYouth opportunity

The Matagorda North unit is one of 6 mapped hunt units on Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Calhoun County, TX. It covers approximately 18,962 acres and is listed as “open to hunting” for 2026–2027. Hunting generally follows state seasons and bag limits, along with general refuge rules. A refuge permit is required.

Navigate to unit Refuge overview Official hunt info ↗
18,962acres
Openstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Calhoun Countycounty

Matagorda North map

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
Downloads (whole refuge):KMLGPX

Rules & permits for this unit

Status: Open to hunting

Hunting follows Texas seasons, bag limits and licensing, plus general National Wildlife Refuge rules.

Refuge permit required. Type: Signed Brochure or Similar. Obtain via: Kiosk, Online FWS, Visitor Center.

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 lottery.

Game at Aransas NWR

Species listed for the refuge as a whole — a special-regulation unit may be limited to certain species. Confirm in the hunt brochure.

Getting to the Matagorda North unit

Navigate

Destination: center of the Matagorda North unit

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
28.28068, -96.54366
DMS
28°16′50.4″N 96°32′37.2″W

Nearest towns

  • Rockport, TX36 mi NE of town
  • Victoria, TX46 mi SE of town
  • Bay City, TX60 mi SW of town

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

The navigation point is a point inside the unit polygon, not necessarily a parking area or legal access point. Use satellite view to find roads, gates and designated parking, and respect closed areas and private inholdings.

Shooting hours at this unit

Today at Matagorda North

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 AM7:48 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, 20266:55 AM7:25 AM6:57 PM11h 32m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:07 AM6:37 AM5:42 PM11h 05m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:17 AM6:47 AM5:34 PM10h 46m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM5:30 PM10h 29m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM5:32 PM10h 22m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:47 AM7:17 AM5:40 PM10h 23m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:49 AM7:19 AM5:50 PM10h 32m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:44 AM7:14 AM6:04 PM10h 51m

Computed for 28.281, -96.544 (CDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

Weather forecast

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

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

Other units at Aransas NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Blackjack NorthSpecial regs19,738Required
Blackjack SouthSpecial regs15,946Required
Closed AreaClosed17,177Required
Matagorda SouthClosed11,563Required
TattonClosed7,383Required

Back to Aransas NWR →