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TPWD Pineywoods region

Caddo Lake WMA hunting

Permits, 2026-27 zone dates for whitetails, feral hogs, doves and ducks and geese, deer limits and a map, built from TPWD and agency records.

Species and datesPermits neededMap and towns
8,124Acres
MarionMain county
10Game listed
730Unit

Photo: sonnia hill (CC BY 2.0)

Getting to know Caddo Lake WMA

Caddo Lake WMA is a wildlife management area run by TPWD in Marion County and Harrison County, listed by TPWD. Its 8,124 acres rank 20th of 36 wildlife management areas with a published acreage. Look east of Jefferson (the closest town we cover), about 13 miles out.

8,124Acres on record
MarionCounty
PineywoodsTPWD area
WMAListing type
730Unit no.
CDDrawn code
10Game types
GameSeason windows10 game groups listedAccessWhat to carryQuoted from the source

Walk-in hunting here runs on the APH permit. APH holders can also enter E-Postcard drawings for certain hunts. TPWD also lists youth-only hunts here. 3 special-permit categories come through the TPWD drawing.

Area headquarters: 4752 FM 805 , Jefferson, TX 75657.

Managing agency page

From the source record and 7 linked sources, retrieved 2026-10-11; page checked October 11, 2026.

Zone calendar for Caddo Lake WMA species

This area lists whitetails, feral hogs, doves, ducks and geese, quail, squirrels, rabbits, predators, furbearers by trap and snipe, woodcock and rails; the zone that holds Marion County sets each date.

North Zonewhite-tailed deer zone
Central Zonedove zone
StatewideSeptember teal zone
North Zoneducks zone
Eastern Zonegeese zone
Statewidequail zone
SpeciesSeasonTPWD zoneFromToDaily bagOpen?
White-tailed deerArchery OnlyNorth ZoneOct 3, 2026Nov 6, 20264 deer
White-tailed deerYouth-OnlyNorth ZoneOct 30, 2026Nov 1, 20264 deer
White-tailed deerGeneral SeasonNorth ZoneNov 7, 2026Jan 3, 20274 deer
White-tailed deerMuzzleloaderNorth ZoneJan 4, 2027Jan 17, 20274 deer
White-tailed deerYouth-OnlyNorth ZoneJan 4, 2027Jan 17, 20274 deer
DoveRegular SeasonCentral ZoneSep 1, 2026Oct 25, 202615 a day
DoveRegular SeasonCentral ZoneDec 11, 2026Jan 14, 202715 a day
DoveFalconryCentral ZoneNov 13, 2026Nov 29, 20263 a day
September tealSeptember tealStatewideSep 19, 2026Sep 27, 20266 a day
DucksYouth-OnlyNorth ZoneNov 7, 2026Nov 8, 20266 a day
DucksVeterans and militaryNorth ZoneNov 7, 2026Nov 8, 20266 a day
DucksRegular SeasonNorth ZoneNov 14, 2026Nov 29, 20266 a day
DucksRegular SeasonNorth ZoneDec 5, 2026Jan 31, 20276 a day
DucksDusky DuckNorth ZoneNov 19, 2026Nov 29, 20266 a day
DucksDusky DuckNorth ZoneDec 5, 2026Jan 31, 20276 a day
DucksFalconryNorth ZoneFeb 1, 2027Feb 21, 20273 a day
GeeseEarly Canada geeseEastern ZoneSep 12, 2026Sep 27, 20265 Canada a day
GeeseDark GeeseEastern ZoneNov 7, 2026Jan 31, 20275 dark a day
GeeseLight GeeseEastern ZoneNov 7, 2026Feb 19, 20275 light a day
QuailRegular SeasonStatewideNov 1, 2026Feb 28, 202715 a day
SquirrelGeneral SeasonEast TexasOct 1, 2026Feb 28, 202710 a day or none
SquirrelGeneral SeasonEast TexasMay 1, 2027May 31, 202710 a day or none
SquirrelYouth-OnlyEast TexasSep 25, 2026Sep 27, 202610 a day or none
WoodcockRegular SeasonStatewideDec 18, 2026Jan 31, 20273 a day
WoodcockFalconryStatewideFeb 1, 2027Feb 21, 2027—
SnipeRegular SeasonStatewideNov 7, 2026Feb 21, 20278 a day
Rails and gallinulesRegular SeasonStatewideSep 19, 2026Sep 27, 202615 a day
Rails and gallinulesRegular SeasonStatewideNov 7, 2026Jan 6, 202715 a day
Rails and gallinulesFalconryStatewideFeb 1, 2027Feb 21, 2027—
Feral hogsArea rules————
Rabbits and haresArea rules————
Predators and furbearersArea 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 Marion County; area game list from the area record. Checked October 11, 2026.

Buck and doe limits for Caddo Lake WMA

Whitetail rules here start from the Marion County line in the Outdoor Annual.

County deer listing

Official listing

4Whitetails
2Buck limit
2Doe cap

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.

Deer seasons in the county

SeasonFromToArea
Archery OnlyOct 3, 2026Nov 6, 2026Countywide
Youth-OnlyOct 30, 2026Nov 1, 2026Countywide
General SeasonNov 7, 2026Jan 3, 2027Countywide
MuzzleloaderJan 4, 2027Jan 17, 2027Countywide
Youth-OnlyJan 4, 2027Jan 17, 2027Countywide
PineywoodsHabitat region
381 sq miArea
JeffersonSeat of county
9,704Residents
15Deer mgmt unit
2Public ground

What to carry at Caddo Lake WMA: permits and orange

Each card below quotes a TPWD or agency rule with its source.

Public hunting permit

TPWD source

$48Permit price
173Item code
$12LPU 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

Public hunt drawing

$3To apply
$80Standard permit
$1304-5 day permit
CategoryCloses
E-Postcard DeerSep 15, 2026
E-Postcard Feral HogNov 1, 2026
E-Postcard Youth DeerSep 15, 2026

Each category has its own deadline. Apply online; drawings run the business day after.

License checklist

TPWD license page

$25Resident
$315Out of state
$7Hunters under 17
$7Migratory
$25+Federal stamp
$7Upland

A Texas hunting license comes first ($25 resident, $315 nonresident general). Add the migratory bird endorsement plus free HIP certification, the duck stamp for waterfowl, ages 16 and up and the upland game bird endorsement. The hunter education rule starts with birth dates of September 2, 1971.

Orange requirement

TPWD

400 sq inTotal orange
144 sq inPer side
Must be orangeHeadgear

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

Source

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 Caddo Lake WMA and nearby public ground

Neighbors inside 60 miles: 7. Orange is Caddo Lake WMA.

Base towns with guides: Jefferson west, 13 miles; Marshall southwest, 19 miles; Linden northwest, 23 miles.

Wildlife refugeDrawn

Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge (5 miles south)

Harrison County, 5 miles away (south). 8,602 ac.

Corps lake

Lake O' the Pines (31 miles west)

Camp County and Harrison County, 31 miles away (west). 4,500 ac.

State parkDrawn

Atlanta State Park (34 miles north)

Cass County, 34 miles away (north).

Corps lake

Wright Patman Lake (38 miles north)

Bowie County and Cass County, 38 miles away (north). 54,358 ac.

WMADrawn

White Oak Creek WMA (49 miles northwest)

Bowie County and Cass County, 49 miles away (northwest). 25,777 ac.

Public hunting land

Sabine River Authority Unit 630 (51 miles south)

Panola County, 51 miles away (south). 7,484 ac.

WMA

North Toledo Bend WMA (59 miles south)

Shelby County, 59 miles away (south). 3,650 ac.

GuideAll of Marion CountyDeer bag and zonesMapThe full mapPins for every area

Points from TPWD GIS, agency pages and public geocodes as noted in each record. Distances are straight-line. Statewide public land map.

Events at Caddo Lake WMA

1 upcoming date on file. Types: youth hunts.

Dates ahead

OnWhatWhereRegister
Nov 14-15, 2026E-Postcard Youth Deer – Caddo Lake WMA · drawn youth-only huntCaddo Lake WMA, Harrison CountyDrawing page
Texas events calendarYouth Hunts

Running a contest close by? Put it on the list.

Every 2026-27 season that covers Marion County

TPWD draws a separate zone map for deer, turkey, dove, ducks, geese, cranes and javelina. These rows are the ones that land on Marion County.

GameSeasonZoneOpensClosesNow
White-tailed deerArchery OnlyNorth ZoneOct 3, 2026Nov 6, 2026
White-tailed deerYouth-OnlyNorth ZoneOct 30, 2026Nov 1, 2026
White-tailed deerGeneral SeasonNorth ZoneNov 7, 2026Jan 3, 2027
White-tailed deerMuzzleloaderNorth ZoneJan 4, 2027Jan 17, 2027
White-tailed deerYouth-OnlyNorth ZoneJan 4, 2027Jan 17, 2027
TurkeySpring seasonEast ZoneApr 22, 2027May 14, 2027
SquirrelGeneral SeasonEast TexasOct 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
SquirrelGeneral SeasonEast TexasMay 1, 2027May 31, 2027
SquirrelYouth-OnlyEast TexasSep 25, 2026Sep 27, 2026
QuailRegular SeasonStatewideNov 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
DoveRegular SeasonCentral ZoneSep 1, 2026Oct 25, 2026
DoveRegular SeasonCentral ZoneDec 11, 2026Jan 14, 2027
DoveFalconryCentral ZoneNov 13, 2026Nov 29, 2026
September tealSeptember tealStatewideSep 19, 2026Sep 27, 2026
DucksYouth-OnlyNorth ZoneNov 7, 2026Nov 8, 2026
DucksVeterans and militaryNorth ZoneNov 7, 2026Nov 8, 2026
DucksRegular SeasonNorth ZoneNov 14, 2026Nov 29, 2026
DucksRegular SeasonNorth ZoneDec 5, 2026Jan 31, 2027
DucksDusky DuckNorth ZoneNov 19, 2026Nov 29, 2026
DucksDusky DuckNorth ZoneDec 5, 2026Jan 31, 2027
DucksFalconryNorth ZoneFeb 1, 2027Feb 21, 2027
GeeseEarly Canada geeseEastern ZoneSep 12, 2026Sep 27, 2026
GeeseDark GeeseEastern ZoneNov 7, 2026Jan 31, 2027
GeeseLight GeeseEastern ZoneNov 7, 2026Feb 19, 2027
AlligatorGeneral SeasonNon-coreApr 1, 2027Jun 30, 2027
WoodcockRegular SeasonStatewideDec 18, 2026Jan 31, 2027
WoodcockFalconryStatewideFeb 1, 2027Feb 21, 2027
SnipeRegular SeasonStatewideNov 7, 2026Feb 21, 2027
Rails and gallinulesRegular SeasonStatewideSep 19, 2026Sep 27, 2026
Rails and gallinulesRegular SeasonStatewideNov 7, 2026Jan 6, 2027
Rails and gallinulesFalconryStatewideFeb 1, 2027Feb 21, 2027

From the TPWD Outdoor Annual 2026-27 county and species pages, checked October 11, 2026.

First and last legal light at Caddo Lake 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 Caddo Lake 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 Caddo Lake WMA

Each button runs a live Amazon search, so prices are current.

Amazon links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Box blind

Most Texas deer are hunted from elevated box blinds over senderos and feeders.

Search on Amazon

Deer feeder

Texas allows feeders on private land, but not for turkey in the East Zone or for migratory birds.

Search on Amazon

Rangefinder

Checks the distance down a sendero before the shot.

Search on Amazon

Field dressing kit

Gloves, blades and a saw in one kit.

Search on Amazon

Compare modelsGear for every hunt

Local help for Caddo Lake WMA hunters

In-county first, then the next ring out.

Trophy Tales Taxidermy taxidermy

Jefferson, Marion County · about 13 mi away

(903) 665-8696MapSite
Academy Sports + Outdoors sporting goods

Marshall, Harrison County · about 20 mi away

(903) 757-1300MapSite
Riverbend Outfitters, LLC guide service

Jefferson, Marion County · about 21 mi away

(903) 625-9100MapSite
Boyd Taxidermy taxidermy

Marshall, Harrison County · about 21 mi away

(903) 938-0122MapSite
Coats Custom Killing & Processing game processing

Atlanta, Cass County · about 23 mi away

(903) 796-6817MapSite
Academy Sports + Outdoors sporting goods

Longview, Gregg County · about 39 mi away

(903) 757-1300MapSite
Sportsman Outfitters sporting goods

Longview, Gregg County · about 41 mi away

(903) 759-0638MapSite
Lindsay's Taxidermy taxidermy

Beckville, Panola County

(903) 678-0501MapSite

For a game warden, try TPWD Law Enforcement Office (Mount Pleasant) in Mount Pleasant, 57 miles from the area.

Search processingTaxidermy search

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.

Caddo Lake WMA questions, answered

How early can I shoot at Caddo Lake 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 Caddo Lake 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.

What kind of public land is Caddo Lake WMA?

It is a wildlife management area run by TPWD, managed by TPWD. Program on record: TPWD Wildlife Management Area.

How many acres does Caddo Lake WMA hold for hunters?

About 8,124 acres (TPWD WMA page).

What paperwork opens Caddo Lake WMA to hunting?

Yes: the Annual Public Hunting permit at $48, plus your license.

Which species are allowed on Caddo Lake WMA?

Listed game: whitetails, feral hogs, doves, ducks and geese, quail, squirrels, rabbits, predators, furbearers by trap and snipe, woodcock and rails.

What are the dove dates for Caddo Lake WMA?

Zone dates for Marion County (Central Zone): Sep 1 to Oct 25, 2026. The area can trim that.

Is there an antler restriction at Caddo Lake WMA?

Per the Marion County page, 4 deer, 2 bucks max, 2 antlerless max. It is an antler restriction county. Permits may set their own bag.

Caddo Lake WMA: ready to go

Rules on public ground change more often than county rules. Recheck Caddo Lake WMA on the agency page before you go.

Public tract mapEvery areaAPH explainedHunting Marion CountyArea page

Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); Wesley Fryer (CC BY 2.0); Maciej Kraus (CC BY 2.0); Adrian Delgado2012 (CC BY 2.0).