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TPWD Pineywoods region
Alabama Creek WMA hunting
Permits, 2026-27 zone dates for whitetails, feral hogs, exotics and doves, deer limits and a map, built from TPWD and agency records.
Photo: sonnia hill (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to know Alabama Creek WMA
Alabama Creek WMA is a wildlife management area run by TPWD in Trinity County, listed by TPWD. Its 14,561 acres rank 13th of 36 wildlife management areas with a published acreage. Look southwest of Lufkin (the closest town we cover), about 15 miles out. Parent area: Davy Crockett National Forest.
Walk-in hunting here runs on the APH permit. TPWD also lists youth-only hunts here. 4 special-permit categories come through the TPWD drawing.
Area headquarters: 8096 FM 2782, Nacogdoches, TX 75964.
From the source record and 7 linked sources, retrieved 2026-10-11; page checked October 11, 2026.
Related tracts for Alabama Creek WMA
Distances are straight-line from this area’s map point.
Inside Davy Crockett National Forest
| Tract | County | Acres | Booklet no. | Straight line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davy Crockett National Forest national forest | Houston, Trinity | 161,100 | — | 9 mi |
Zone calendar for Alabama Creek WMA species
This area lists whitetails, feral hogs, exotics, doves, ducks and geese, squirrels, rabbits, predators, furbearers by trap and snipe, woodcock and rails; the zone that holds Trinity County sets each date.
| Species | Season | TPWD zone | From | To | Daily bag | Open? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | 15 a day | |
| Dove | Regular Season | Central Zone | Dec 11, 2026 | Jan 14, 2027 | 15 a day | |
| Dove | Falconry | Central Zone | 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 rules | — | — | — | — | |
| Exotics | Area rules | — | — | — | — | |
| Rabbits and hares | Area rules | — | — | — | — | |
| Predators and furbearers | Area rules | — | — | — | — | |
| Trapping (furbearers) | Area rules | — | — | — | — |
Treat the table as the widest window allowed. The area itself may close earlier, limit days of the week or hunt only by drawing.
Texas sets no season for hogs, exotics, rabbits or predators on private property. Public ground sets its own limits, so the table says area rules.
Zone dates and bags from the TPWD Outdoor Annual 2026-27 (Outdoor Annual) for Trinity County; area game list from the area record. Checked October 11, 2026.
Buck and doe limits for Alabama Creek WMA
Whitetail rules here start from the Trinity County line in the Outdoor Annual.
County deer listing
A 13 inch inside spread or one unbranched antler is the test for a legal buck in this county. Doe days Nov. 7-29, on the license tags. no antlerless harvest on National Forest Service property.
Deer seasons in the county
| Season | From | To | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery Only | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | Countywide |
| Youth-Only | Oct 30, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | Countywide |
| General Season | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | Countywide |
| Muzzleloader | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | Countywide |
| Youth-Only | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | Countywide |
What to carry at Alabama Creek WMA: permits and orange
Each card below quotes a TPWD or agency rule with its source.
Public hunting permit
Buy a season hunting license first; the APH permit rides on it and covers adults 17 and older. 180+ areas and over 1 million acres come with it. Youth under 17 hunt free with a permitted adult 18 or older.
Hunts by drawing
| Category | Closes |
|---|---|
| USFS Antlerless Deer Permit – Adult | Sep 15, 2026 |
| USFS Antlerless Deer Permit – Youth | Sep 15, 2026 |
| USFS Buck Deer Permit – Adult | Sep 15, 2026 |
| USFS Buck Deer Permit – Youth | Sep 15, 2026 |
Each category has its own deadline. Apply online; drawings run the business day after.
License checklist
A Texas hunting license comes first ($25 resident, $315 nonresident general). Add the migratory bird endorsement plus free HIP certification and the duck stamp for waterfowl, ages 16 and up. The hunter education rule starts with birth dates of September 2, 1971.
Orange requirement
Wear daylight fluorescent orange in daylight hours while firearm hunting is permitted. Exemptions: turkey, migratory birds, alligators, and anyone in a vehicle, camp, parking lot, boat launch or check station.
Rules on drawn hunts
Statewide means apply unless a hunt says otherwise. Vehicles are not hunting platforms, buckshot needs specific approval, and deer go to the check station.
Map of Alabama Creek WMA and nearby public ground
Neighbors inside 60 miles: 8. Orange is Alabama Creek WMA.
Base towns with guides: Lufkin northeast, 15 miles; Groveton southwest, 15 miles; Zavalla east, 29 miles.
Davy Crockett National Forest (9 miles west)
Houston County and Trinity County, 9 miles away (west). 161,100 ac.
Alazan Bayou WMA, Old River Tract (23 miles north)
Angelina County, 23 miles away (north). 485 ac.
Alazan Bayou WMA (23 miles north)
Nacogdoches County and Angelina County, 23 miles away (north). 2,063 ac.
Alazan Bayou WMA, Blount Tract (23 miles northeast)
Nacogdoches County, 23 miles away (northeast). 2,255 ac.
Lake Kurth (City of Lufkin) (30 miles east)
The Pineywoods region, 30 miles away (east).
Sam Rayburn Reservoir (33 miles east)
Angelina County and Jasper County, 33 miles away (east). 6,000 ac.
Angelina National Forest (42 miles east)
Angelina County and Nacogdoches County, 42 miles away (east). 153,179 ac.
Points from TPWD GIS, agency pages and public geocodes as noted in each record. Distances are straight-line. Statewide public land map.
Every 2026-27 season that covers Trinity County
TPWD draws a separate zone map for deer, turkey, dove, ducks, geese, cranes and javelina. These rows are the ones that land on Trinity County.
| Game | Season | Zone | Opens | Closes | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery Only | North Zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth-Only | North Zone | Oct 30, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | General Season | North Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Muzzleloader | North Zone | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth-Only | North Zone | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| Squirrel | General Season | East Texas | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Squirrel | General Season | East Texas | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Squirrel | Youth-Only | East Texas | Sep 25, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Quail | Regular Season | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Dove | Regular Season | Central Zone | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Dove | Regular Season | Central Zone | Dec 11, 2026 | Jan 14, 2027 | |
| Dove | Falconry | Central Zone | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| September teal | September teal | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Youth-Only | North Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Veterans and military | North Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular Season | North Zone | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular Season | North Zone | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Dusky Duck | North Zone | Nov 19, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Dusky Duck | North Zone | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Falconry | North Zone | Feb 1, 2027 | Feb 21, 2027 | |
| Geese | Early Canada geese | Eastern Zone | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Geese | Dark Geese | Eastern Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Geese | Light Geese | Eastern Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Feb 19, 2027 | |
| Alligator | General Season | Core | Sep 10, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Woodcock | Regular Season | Statewide | Dec 18, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Falconry | Statewide | Feb 1, 2027 | Feb 21, 2027 | |
| Snipe | Regular Season | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Feb 21, 2027 | |
| Rails and gallinules | Regular Season | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Rails and gallinules | Regular Season | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 | |
| Rails and gallinules | Falconry | Statewide | Feb 1, 2027 | Feb 21, 2027 |
From the TPWD Outdoor Annual 2026-27 county and species pages, checked October 11, 2026.
First and last legal light at Alabama Creek WMA
Whitetails, turkeys and quail can be taken from a half hour before sunup until a half hour after sundown. Migratory birds close at sundown.
Times worked out for Alabama 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.
Stocking up for Alabama Creek WMA
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Box blind
Most Texas deer are hunted from elevated box blinds over senderos and feeders.
Deer feeder
Texas allows feeders on private land, but not for turkey in the East Zone or for migratory birds.
Local help for Alabama Creek WMA hunters
In-county first, then the next ring out.
For a game warden, try TPWD Law Enforcement Office (Tyler) in Tyler, 80 miles from the area.
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.
Alabama Creek WMA questions, answered
Is there an antler restriction at Alabama Creek WMA?
Per the Trinity County page, 4 deer, 2 bucks max, 2 antlerless max. It is an antler restriction county. Permits may set their own bag.
What is the hunter orange rule for Alabama Creek WMA?
On TPWD public hunting lands, 400 square inches of daylight orange (144 on chest and back) plus an orange hat when firearm hunting is allowed. Not needed for turkey, migratory birds or alligator.
How do I find Alabama Creek WMA on a Texas road map?
Lufkin is closest, roughly 15 miles away; the area lies southwest of town. Second closest: Groveton, 15 miles.
Is there more public ground close to Alabama Creek WMA?
Try Davy Crockett National Forest (9 miles), Alazan Bayou WMA, Old River Tract (23 miles) and Alazan Bayou WMA (23 miles).
What is the drawn hunt code for Alabama Creek WMA?
Categories include USFS Antlerless Deer Permit – Adult, USFS Antlerless Deer Permit – Youth, USFS Buck Deer Permit – Adult and USFS Buck Deer Permit – Youth. Use code AL. Deadlines: Sep 15, 2026 through Sep 15, 2026.
Where is the map for Alabama Creek WMA?
It is unit 904. Its TPWD map is linked above. 2026-27 is the last year of the printed booklet.
How early can I shoot at Alabama Creek WMA?
See the seven-day table above. Migratory birds quit at sunset, everything else 30 minutes later.
Can a hunter without hunter education go to Alabama Creek WMA?
Only with the one-time $10 deferral (17 and older) and an accompanying qualified hunter; the rule covers birth dates from September 2, 1971.
Is there a cheaper license for seniors?
Texas residents 65 and older pay $7 for the senior resident hunting license.
When can young hunters shoot ducks before the regular season?
HPMMU Oct. 17-18; South Oct. 31 – Nov. 1; North Nov. 7-8, 2026, by zone.
Alabama Creek WMA: ready to go
Rules on public ground change more often than county rules. Recheck Alabama Creek WMA on the agency page before you go.
Other photos on this page: DaPuglet (CC BY-SA 2.0); Maslowski, Steve, USFWS (Public domain); Maciej Kraus (CC BY 2.0); Adrian Delgado2012 (CC BY 2.0).