Home › Texas › Public land › White Oak Creek WMA
Pineywoods region
White Oak Creek WMA hunting
Public hunting on White Oak Creek WMA (25,777 acres): whitetails, feral hogs, doves and ducks and geese, with zone dates, permits, the county deer rules and the nearest towns.
Photo: Maciej Kraus (CC BY 2.0)
The basics of White Oak Creek WMA
Type of ground: wildlife management area run by TPWD. Manager: TPWD. Counties: Bowie, Cass, Morris, Titus. The 25,777 acre figure places it 7th among 36 wildlife management areas with known acreage. From Mount Pleasant, the nearest town we cover, the area sits around 18 miles to the northeast.
Access is through the TPWD Annual Public Hunting permit. The area carries youth-only seasons too. TPWD runs 2 drawn hunt categories here (listed in the permit section).
The WMA office is at 33948 HWY 77, Omaha, TX 75571.
From the source record and 7 linked sources, retrieved 2026-10-11; page checked October 11, 2026.
What you can hunt at White Oak Creek WMA, and when
Whitetails, feral hogs, doves, ducks and geese, squirrels, rabbits, predators and snipe, woodcock and rails are on the area list, and the season dates below are the Bowie County zone dates.
| Game | Season | Zone | Opens | Closes | Bag | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery Only | North Zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | 4 deer | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth-Only | North Zone | Oct 30, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 4 deer | |
| White-tailed deer | General Season | North Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | 4 deer | |
| White-tailed deer | Muzzleloader | North Zone | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | 4 deer | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth-Only | North Zone | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | 4 deer | |
| Dove | Regular Season | Central Zone (South of IH 30) | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | 15 a day | |
| Dove | Regular Season | Central Zone (South of IH 30) | Dec 11, 2026 | Jan 14, 2027 | 15 a day | |
| Dove | Falconry | Central Zone (South of IH 30) | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | 3 a day | |
| Dove | Regular Season | North Zone (North of IH 30) | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | 15 a day | |
| Dove | Regular Season | North Zone (North of IH 30) | Dec 18, 2026 | Jan 7, 2027 | 15 a day | |
| Dove | Falconry | North Zone (North of IH 30) | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | 3 a day | |
| September teal | September teal | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Youth-Only | North Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Veterans and military | North Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Regular Season | North Zone | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Regular Season | North Zone | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Dusky Duck | North Zone | Nov 19, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Dusky Duck | North Zone | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Falconry | North Zone | Feb 1, 2027 | Feb 21, 2027 | 3 a day | |
| Geese | Early Canada geese | Eastern Zone | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | 5 Canada a day | |
| Geese | Dark Geese | Eastern Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 5 dark a day | |
| Geese | Light Geese | Eastern Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Feb 19, 2027 | 5 light a day | |
| Squirrel | General Season | East Texas | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | 10 a day or none | |
| Squirrel | General Season | East Texas | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | 10 a day or none | |
| Squirrel | Youth-Only | East Texas | Sep 25, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | 10 a day or none | |
| Woodcock | Regular Season | Statewide | Dec 18, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 3 a day | |
| Woodcock | Falconry | Statewide | Feb 1, 2027 | Feb 21, 2027 | — | |
| Snipe | Regular Season | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Feb 21, 2027 | 8 a day | |
| Rails and gallinules | Regular Season | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | 15 a day | |
| Rails and gallinules | Regular Season | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 | 15 a day | |
| Rails and gallinules | Falconry | Statewide | Feb 1, 2027 | Feb 21, 2027 | — | |
| Feral hogs | Area sets it | — | — | — | — | |
| Rabbits and hares | Area sets it | — | — | — | — | |
| Predators and furbearers | Area sets it | — | — | — | — |
Read the area rules too; managers of White Oak Creek WMA can trim these seasons or limit them to drawn permits.
For hogs, exotics, rabbits and predators, the private-land rule is no season and no limit; public areas write their own.
Zone dates and bags from the TPWD Outdoor Annual 2026-27 (Outdoor Annual) for Bowie County; area game list from the area record. Checked October 11, 2026.
Whitetail limits that apply near White Oak Creek WMA
Deer limits for Bowie County, the county this page uses for White Oak Creek WMA.
Bowie County buck and doe rules
TPWD restricts bucks in this county to spikes and other unbranched bucks or a 13 inch inside spread, one wide branched buck at most. Nov. 7-29: antlerless with a tag from the hunting license.
2026-27 deer dates, Bowie County
| Season | Open | Close | Part of county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery Only | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | All areas |
| Youth-Only | Oct 30, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | All areas |
| General Season | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | All areas |
| Muzzleloader | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | All areas |
| Youth-Only | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | All areas |
Around White Oak Creek WMA: towns and public areas
The map shows White Oak Creek WMA in orange with 8 public neighbors inside 60 miles.
Town guides close by: Mount Pleasant (18 miles southwest, pop. 16,238); Linden (26 miles southeast, pop. 1,812); Clarksville (31 miles northwest, pop. 2,869).
Lake O' the Pines (31 miles south)
Camp County and Harrison County; 31 miles south. 4,500 ac.
Caddo Lake WMA (49 miles southeast)
Marion County and Harrison County; 49 miles southeast. 8,124 ac.
Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge (53 miles southeast)
Harrison County; 53 miles southeast. 8,602 ac.
Cooper Lake State Park (55 miles west)
Delta County and Hopkins County; 55 miles west.
Points from TPWD GIS, agency pages and public geocodes as noted in each record. Distances are straight-line. Statewide public land map.
Licenses and permits that cover White Oak Creek WMA
Permit facts are from TPWD and the managing agency.
The APH permit
The APH permit is required for adults 17 and older on TPWD public hunting lands, and you must hold a season hunting license to buy it. It is good on 180+ areas totaling over 1 million acres. A permitted adult 18 or older can bring hunters under 17 at no charge.
TPWD drawing
| Drawn hunt | 2026 deadline |
|---|---|
| Gun Deer – Either Sex | Sep 15, 2026 |
| Youth Only Gun Deer – Either Sex | Sep 1, 2026 |
Apply through the TPWD drawing system before the category deadline; youth apply free.
License and endorsements
License first: $25 for a resident, $7 for youth. For the game listed here, add free HIP plus the migratory bird endorsement and a federal duck stamp for waterfowl hunters 16 and older. Born September 2, 1971 or later? Hunter education is required.
Orange on public land
When guns are allowed in daylight, wear the orange; turkey, migratory birds and alligator are the exceptions.
On the hunt area
Take deer directly to the check station; hunting from vehicles is off limits; dogs only for squirrel, rabbits, hares and birds other than turkey.
Hunting events tied to White Oak Creek WMA
1 upcoming date (youth hunts), retrieved October 11, 2026.
On the way
| Date | Event | Place | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31-Nov 1, 2026 | Youth Only Gun Deer – Either Sex – White Oak Creek WMA · drawn youth-only hunt | White Oak Creek WMA, Morris County | Drawing page |
Sunrise, sunset and shooting time for White Oak Creek WMA
Morning legal light comes 30 minutes before sunrise for every game species. In the evening, migratory birds stop at sunset and everything else 30 minutes later.
Times worked out for White Oak Creek WMA in Central time. Rule from the TPWD Outdoor Annual (shooting hours). Nongame, exotics and feral hogs on private land may be hunted at any hour. Shooting hours for every county.
Outfitting a hunt in White Oak Creek WMA
Items matched to the species listed for this place.
Amazon links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Deer feeder
Feeders are legal for deer on private land; public areas set their own rules.
Who handles game killed at White Oak Creek WMA
Sorted by county, nearest first.
Nearest TPWD law enforcement office: TPWD Law Enforcement Office (Mount Pleasant) in Mount Pleasant, about 18 miles away.
Store locators (Academy, Bass Pro, Cabela’s), the TPWD law enforcement office list, Hunters for the Hungry and business listings, checked October 11, 2026. Call ahead.
Quick answers on White Oak Creek WMA
Do I need hunter orange at White Oak Creek WMA?
The public land rule is 400 sq in, 144 on both chest and back, orange on the head, whenever guns are in season. It does not apply to turkey, migratory bird or alligator hunting.
What is the deer bag near White Oak Creek WMA?
4 deer, 2 bucks max, 2 antlerless max in Bowie County. Antler restrictions are in force. The area can set a lower limit.
If White Oak Creek WMA is crowded, where else can I go?
Closest on the TPWD and federal lists: Atlanta State Park (26 miles), Wright Patman Lake (28 miles) and Lake O' the Pines (31 miles).
Which town makes a base for White Oak Creek WMA?
Mount Pleasant sits 18 miles away (the area is northeast of it). Linden is next at 26 miles.
Is there a map of White Oak Creek WMA?
Unit 727. Use the map button above. Printed booklets stop after this season.
Does White Oak Creek WMA have drawn hunts?
Apply online for Gun Deer – Either Sex and Youth Only Gun Deer – Either Sex. Look for WO in the catalog. 2026 deadlines ran Sep 1, 2026 to Sep 15, 2026.
Can I put off hunter education?
Hunters 17 and older can buy a one-time $10 deferral, good to the end of the license year, and hunt accompanied.
What time does legal light start at White Oak Creek WMA?
From 30 minutes before sunrise. Game animals and upland birds run to 30 minutes after sunset; migratory birds stop at sunset. Daily times are in the table above.
When are the youth-only deer days?
Deer: Oct. 30 – Nov. 1, 2026 (both zones); Jan. 4-17, 2027 (North Zone).
What license do I need for White Oak Creek WMA?
A Texas hunting license: $25 for residents, $315 for the nonresident general license, $7 for hunters under 17.
White Oak Creek WMA trip checklist
Seasons, permits and boundaries at White Oak Creek WMA can change during the license year. Open the official page before you load the truck.
Other photos on this page: Jim, the Photographer (CC BY 2.0); colmmcsky (CC BY-SA 2.0); sonnia hill (CC BY 2.0); Adrian Delgado2012 (CC BY 2.0).