National Wildlife Refuge · Texas · FWS Region 2

Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Chambers County, Texas, Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 37,917 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 4 mapped hunt units: 3 open under general rules and 1 closed, covering about 12,900 huntable acres.

3 open units1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
4hunt units
12.9Khuntable acres
37.9KFWS-owned acres
1game categories

Jocelyn Nungaray 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 Jocelyn Nungaray NWR

  • Big Game
  • Waterfowl
  • Wild Turkey
  • Upland Birds
  • Migratory Birds
  • Small Game
  • Feral & Exotic
  • Fishing

Permitted hunting categories are waterfowl, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing, tidal / saltwater fishing, and shellfishing & crabbing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

The meandering bayous of Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge cut through ancient floodplains, creating expanses of coastal marsh and prairie along Galveston Bay in southeast Texas.

WaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and coots

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

Hunt units (4)

Acreage by status
Open: 12,900 (34%)Closed: 25,395 (66%)12.9Khuntable acres
  • Open12,900 ac 34%
  • Closed25,395 ac 66%
Units by size (acres)
Closed
25,395 ac
East
10,255 ac
Pace Tract
1,534 ac
Middleton Tract
1,110 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
East
Show on map · Directions		 Open 10,255 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Refuge Hunting Permit.
Middleton Tract
Show on map · Directions		 Open 1,110 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Refuge Hunting Permit.
Pace Tract
Show on map · Directions		 Open 1,534 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Refuge Hunting Permit.
Closed
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 25,395 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Refuge Hunting Permit.

Jocelyn Nungaray NWR by the numbers

With about 12,900 huntable acres, Jocelyn Nungaray NWR ranks #6 of 16 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Texas and #151 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 34% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is East (10,255 acres), while the smallest, Middleton Tract, covers 1,110 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

1 unit totaling 25,395 acres is closed to hunting (Closed). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

Besides 37,917 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 942 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.

When to hunt Jocelyn Nungaray 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 — Waterfowl
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Refuge Hunting Permit.

Type: Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

  • 🪧 Kiosk at the refuge
  • 💻 Online (FWS)
  • 💻 Online (e.g. Recreation.gov)
  • 🏛️ 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 Jocelyn Nungaray NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing
  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing
  • 🦀 Shellfishing & crabbing

The refuge offers excellent saltwater and freshwater angling and crabbing opportunities. Six miles of shoreline along East Galveston Bay are accessible by boat or wade fishing. The South Unit provides access to the Gulf of America.

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

How to get to Jocelyn Nungaray NWR

Navigate

Destination: Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
29.61046, -94.43848
DMS
29°36′37.7″N 94°26′18.5″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Galveston, TX31 mi NE of town
  • Port Arthur, TX36 mi SW of town
  • Beaumont, TX37 mi SW of town
  • Houston, TX57 mi E of town

Closest airports

  • IAH Houston Bush Intercontinental60 mi
  • LFT Lafayette Regional152 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 Jocelyn Nungaray 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, 20266:24 AM6:54 AM7:41 PM12h 47m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:31 AM7:01 AM7:24 PM12h 23m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:39 AM7:09 AM7:04 PM11h 55m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:48 AM7:18 AM6:48 PM11h 30m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:00 AM6:30 AM5:32 PM11h 02m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:11 AM6:41 AM5:23 PM10h 42m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:25 AM6:55 AM5:19 PM10h 24m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:34 AM7:04 AM5:20 PM10h 16m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:42 AM7:12 AM5:28 PM10h 17m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:43 AM7:13 AM5:39 PM10h 26m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:37 AM7:07 AM5:54 PM10h 46m

Computed for 29.610, -94.438 (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 Jocelyn Nungaray NWR

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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…

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…

Refuge Hunting Permits: Types, Lotteries & How to Apply

Signed brochures, quota permits, special use permits and where to get them — online, kiosk, mail or visitor center.

How to Read a Refuge Hunt Brochure (and Not Miss the Rule That Matters)

What's inside a National Wildlife Refuge hunt brochure, where to find it, how it relates to 50 CFR Part 32 and state…

Jocelyn Nungaray NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Jocelyn Nungaray NWR?

Yes. Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 3 units (12,900 acres) during 2026–2027 for waterfowl. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Jocelyn Nungaray NWR?

Yes — Jocelyn Nungaray 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, online (e.g. recreation.gov), or visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Jocelyn Nungaray NWR?

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

Where is Jocelyn Nungaray NWR located?

Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge is in Chambers County, Texas, about 31 miles NE of Galveston, TX (straight-line). GPS: 29.61046, -94.43848.

What are legal shooting hours at Jocelyn Nungaray 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

McFaddin NWR

Jefferson County, TX · 14 mi E

4 special1 closed
🦆🎣

21.6K huntable acres

Texas Point NWR

Jefferson County, TX · 33 mi E

1 open1 closed
🦆🎣

3.6K huntable acres

Brazoria NWR

Brazoria County, TX · 55 mi SW

5 open1 special1 closed
🦆🕊️🎣

10.9K huntable acres

Sabine NWR

Cameron Parish, LA · 55 mi E

1 special1 closed
🦆🎣

34.1K huntable acres

Trinity River NWR

Liberty County, TX · 56 mi NW

7 special5 closed
🦌🦆🐇🐗🎣

8.8K huntable acres

Cameron Prairie NWR

Cameron Parish, LA · 75 mi E

2 special2 closed
🦌🦆🕊️🎣

9.2K huntable acres

All refuges in Texas →

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