Hunt unit · Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge

La Puerta Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit requiredYouth opportunity

The La Puerta unit is one of 11 mapped hunt units on Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Starr County, TX. It covers approximately 4,072 acres and is listed as “open – special regulations apply” for 2026–2027. That means hunting is permitted, but refuge-specific rules — such as limited species, dates, weapon types, access methods or quota permits — apply on top of state regulations. A refuge permit is required.

Navigate to unit Refuge overview Official hunt info ↗
4,072acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Starr Countycounty

La Puerta map

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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 – special regulations apply

Hunting is allowed, but refuge-specific rules apply in addition to Texas regulations. Typical special regulations include limited species or seasons, quota/lottery permits, weapon restrictions (e.g. archery or shotgun only), shooting-hour limits, blind or stand rules and restricted access.

Refuge permit required. Type: Signed Brochure or Similar. Obtain via: Online Other.

Signing of the Hunting Brochure is required for all species.

🧒 Issued by lottery

Game at Lower Rio Grande Valley 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 La Puerta unit

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Destination: center of the La Puerta unit

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Decimal
26.38018, -98.72741
DMS
26°22′48.6″N 98°43′38.7″W

Nearest towns

  • McAllen, TX33 mi W of town
  • Harlingen, TX65 mi W of town
  • Brownsville, TX83 mi NW 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 La Puerta

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, 20266:44 AM7:14 AM7:56 PM12h 42m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:49 AM7:19 AM7:40 PM12h 21m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:56 AM7:26 AM7:22 PM11h 56m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:03 AM7:33 AM7:07 PM11h 35m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:13 AM6:43 AM5:53 PM11h 10m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:23 AM6:53 AM5:45 PM10h 52m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:35 AM7:05 AM5:42 PM10h 37m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:44 AM7:14 AM5:44 PM10h 30m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:52 AM7:22 AM5:53 PM10h 31m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:54 AM7:24 AM6:03 PM10h 39m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:49 AM7:19 AM6:16 PM10h 57m

Computed for 26.380, -98.727 (CDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

Weather forecast

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

Other units at Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
La Casita EastOpen1,544Required
East LakeSpecial regs1,756Required
La Sal Del ReySpecial regs5,405Required
La Sal ViejaSpecial regs1,276Required
SchalebenSpecial regs1,524Required
TecoloteSpecial regs1,119Required
Teniente EastSpecial regs1,462Required
Teniente WestSpecial regs4,177Required
WillamarSpecial regs1,162Required
ClosedClosed52,486Required

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