Home › Texas › Public land › Big Lake Bottom WMA
WMA · Anderson County
Big Lake Bottom WMA hunting
Who runs it, what it costs to hunt, which seasons apply for whitetails, feral hogs, ducks and geese and squirrels, and where the closest public tracts and towns are.
Photo: sonnia hill (CC BY 2.0)
Big Lake Bottom WMA: size, manager and access
Big Lake Bottom WMA falls in the TPWD Pineywoods hunting region and is a wildlife management area run by TPWD in Anderson County. By acreage (4,253) it sits at number 27 of 36 wildlife management areas in the data. Nearest town guide: Palestine, 11 miles off; the area is west of there.
This is APH ground: buy the $48 permit before you go. Watch for E-Postcard drawings; APH holders may apply. Look for youth-only hunts in the TPWD listing. There are 5 drawn special-permit hunt types on the TPWD catalog.
Check-in office: 3479 ACR 2901, Tennessee Colony, TX 75861.
From the source record and 7 linked sources, retrieved 2026-10-11; page checked October 11, 2026.
Season windows for Big Lake Bottom WMA game
Listed game here runs to 6 groups: whitetails, feral hogs, ducks and geese, squirrels, rabbits and snipe, woodcock and rails. Texas zones split many of these, so the rows are for Anderson County.
| Species | Segment | Zone | Starts | Ends | Limit | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 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 | — | — | — | — | |
| Rabbits and hares | Area rules | — | — | — | — |
These are statewide zone dates. Big Lake Bottom WMA can run shorter seasons, fewer days or drawn-only hunts, so check the area rules before opening day.
No statewide season exists on private land for hogs, exotics, rabbits or predators, so check the area rules.
Zone dates and bags from the TPWD Outdoor Annual 2026-27 (Outdoor Annual) for Anderson County; area game list from the area record. Checked October 11, 2026.
Where Big Lake Bottom WMA sits, with neighbors
8 public tracts within a 60 mile radius, plus Big Lake Bottom WMA itself in orange.
Closest towns we cover: Palestine 11 miles east, 19,583 people; Fairfield 20 miles west, 3,005 people; Centerville 32 miles south, 1,001 people.
Richland Creek WMA, South Unit (21 miles northwest)
WMA unit 21 miles off to the northwest. 8,974 ac.
Richland Creek WMA, Carl Frentress Unit (25 miles northwest)
WMA unit 25 miles off to the northwest. 5,628 ac.
Neches River NWR, Rocky Point Unit (26 miles northeast)
Refuge unit 26 miles off to the northeast.
Points from TPWD GIS, agency pages and public geocodes as noted in each record. Distances are straight-line. Statewide public land map.
Big Lake Bottom WMA: permits, endorsements and blaze orange
Card by card: permits, licenses, orange.
Annual Public Hunting (APH)
Anyone 17 or older needs the APH permit on these lands; it can only be bought with a season hunting license. Statewide it reaches 180-plus areas and over 1 million acres. Hunters younger than 17 go free alongside a permitted adult (18+).
Special-permit hunts
| Hunt | Due |
|---|---|
| E-Postcard Archery Deer | Sep 1, 2026 |
| E-Postcard Deer | Sep 15, 2026 |
| E-Postcard Feral Hog | Nov 1, 2026 |
| E-Postcard Squirrel | Sep 1, 2026 |
| E-Postcard Youth Deer | Sep 15, 2026 |
Applications are online only and close on the 1st and 15th of each month; drawings follow the next business day.
What to buy first
Every hunter needs a Texas hunting license ($25 resident). Given the species here, also carry migratory endorsement and HIP, the federal duck stamp (16 and up) for ducks and geese and an archery stamp for bow-only hunts. Hunter education covers every hunter born from September 2, 1971 on.
Hunter orange
This applies whenever firearm hunting is permitted in daylight, with turkey, migratory birds and alligators exempt.
Drawn hunt rules
Deer must go straight to the check station. Buckshot only where allowed. No shooting from vehicles. Dogs for small game and birds except turkey.
Deer bag for the Anderson County side of Big Lake Bottom WMA
County deer rules from TPWD for Anderson County, with county facts for context.
Deer rules for Anderson County
Measure before you shoot: 13 inches inside spread or an unbranched antler, with a single wide branched buck allowed. Antlerless harvest runs Nov. 7-29 using a license tag.
County whitetail segments
| Segment | Opens | Closes | Part |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Big Lake Bottom WMA: dinners, hunts and competitions
Youth hunts: 1 upcoming date. Retrieved October 11, 2026.
Next up
| Day | Listing | Location | Go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31-Nov 1, 2026 | E-Postcard Youth Deer – Big Lake Bottom WMA · drawn youth-only hunt | Big Lake Bottom WMA, Anderson County | Drawing page |
Game seasons that reach Anderson County
11 speciess have a 2026-27 season here. Texas splits most of them into zones, and this table keeps only the zones that include Anderson County.
| Species | Season type | Area | Begins | Ends | Right 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 | Non-core | Apr 1, 2027 | Jun 30, 2027 | |
| 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.
Big Lake Bottom WMA: what goes in the truck
Click any item for current listings and prices.
Amazon links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Big Lake Bottom WMA legal hunting light, next seven days
Shooting time for deer, javelina, turkey and quail is sunrise less 30 minutes to sunset plus 30. Dove and waterfowl hunters stop at sunset.
Times worked out for Big Lake Bottom 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.
Shops and processors serving Big Lake Bottom WMA
County listings lead; neighbors follow.
Game wardens closest to this area work out of TPWD Law Enforcement Office (Tyler) in Tyler (55 miles).
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.
What people want to know about Big Lake Bottom WMA
How do I apply for a drawn hunt at Big Lake Bottom WMA?
Yes: E-Postcard Archery Deer, E-Postcard Deer, E-Postcard Feral Hog, E-Postcard Squirrel and E-Postcard Youth Deer. Catalog code BL. Deadlines span Sep 1, 2026 to Nov 1, 2026.
What unit number does TPWD give Big Lake Bottom WMA?
TPWD numbers it 733. TPWD’s PDF map is linked above. TPWD says 2026-27 is the last printed map booklet.
How late can I hunt deer at Big Lake Bottom WMA?
A half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset for deer, turkey and quail; doves and waterfowl stop at sunset.
Do I need hunter education to hunt Big Lake Bottom WMA?
Yes, if you were born on or after September 2, 1971; Texas sets 9 as the minimum age to take the course.
What do Texas hunting licenses cost this year?
$25 resident, $315 nonresident general, $7 youth.
Do youth-only deer seasons apply here?
Statewide youth deer dates are Oct. 30 – Nov. 1, 2026 (both zones); Jan. 4-17, 2027 (North Zone); area rules decide whether they apply on this ground.
What is Big Lake Bottom WMA?
Wildlife management area run by TPWD, under TPWD. Program: TPWD Wildlife Management Area.
What size is Big Lake Bottom WMA?
It covers 4,253 acres on the record.
Is Big Lake Bottom WMA open with just a hunting license?
You need the APH permit ($48) and a hunting license.
What animals are hunted on Big Lake Bottom WMA?
The listing names whitetails, feral hogs, ducks and geese, squirrels, rabbits and snipe, woodcock and rails.
Last checks for Big Lake Bottom WMA
The managing agency has the final word on Big Lake Bottom WMA. Check its page and the TPWD county listing the week of your hunt.
Other photos on this page: USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain); GA-Kayaker (CC BY 2.0); Maciej Kraus (CC BY 2.0); Adrian Delgado2012 (CC BY 2.0).