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WMA · San Antonio/Corpus Christi

Chaparral WMA hunting

A hunter’s summary of Chaparral WMA in Dimmit County: permits, zone dates, legal light and local services.

Game and datesPermitsMap
15,200Acreage
DimmitIn county
7Species
700APH no.

Photo: aulbarnes08 (CC BY 2.0)

What Chaparral WMA is and who runs it

TPWD oversees Chaparral WMA, a wildlife management area run by TPWD covering ground in Dimmit County and La Salle County. Size on record: 15,200 acres, 11th in a field of 36 wildlife management areas. Cotulla is the nearest of our town guides, roughly 13 miles away (the area lies southwest of it).

15,200Acres
DimmitCounty
San Antonio/Corpus ChristiRegion
WMALand type
700Map booklet unit
CPDrawing code
7Game groups
SeasonsWhat is in seasonArea rules can be shorterLicensesPaperworkAPH, drawn and agency rules

Hunters 17 and older carry the $48 APH permit on this ground. E-Postcard drawings, open to APH permit holders, fill some hunts. Some dates are set aside for young hunters. Apply through TPWD for 7 drawn hunt types.

Headquarters: South Texas Ecosystem Project Office, 64 Chaparral WMA Dr., Cotulla, TX 78014.

Area page at the agency

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

Paperwork for hunting Chaparral WMA

Fees are TPWD figures for the license year.

APH permit

TPWD

$48Annual permit
173License item
$12LPU fee

Adults (17 and up) need the APH permit, which requires a season hunting license. The same permit opens over 1 million acres on more than 180 areas. Under 17? No permit needed, as long as a permitted adult 18+ is along.

Drawn hunts here

Drawn hunt overview

$3Application
$80If drawn
$130Long hunt
CategoryApply by
Archery DeerAug 15, 2026
E-Postcard Multi-SpeciesSep 15, 2026
Gun Deer – Either SexSep 15, 2026
JavelinaAug 15, 2026
Youth Only Gun Deer – Antlerless/SpikeSep 15, 2026
Youth Only Gun Deer – Either SexSep 1, 2026
Youth Only JavelinaSep 15, 2026

All drawn categories are online applications. Deadlines below are from the 2026 schedule.

Licensing

TPWD

$25Resident license
$315Nonresident general
$7Under 17
$7Migratory bird end.
$7Upland bird
$7Archery stamp

You need a hunting license; residents pay $25. On top of that, bring a migratory endorsement and HIP certification, the upland endorsement and the archery endorsement for bow-only dates. Hunter education applies to anyone born on or after September 2, 1971.

Hunter orange rule

TPWD rule

400 sq inOrange area
144 sq inChest and back
OrangeHeadwear

TPWD requires orange on public hunting lands while firearm seasons are on, except for turkey, migratory bird and alligator hunting.

Hunt area rules

TPWD rules

On TPWD hunt areas: no vehicle hunting, no buckshot unless the hunt allows it, dogs only for small game and game birds except turkey.

Chaparral WMA species and 2026-27 dates

Game named for the area: whitetails, feral hogs, javelina, doves, quail, rabbits and predators. Each row uses the zone that covers Dimmit County.

South Zonewhite-tailed deer zone
Southernjavelina zone
South Zonedove zone
Statewidequail zone
SpeciesHuntZoneOpeningClosingLimitNow
White-tailed deerArchery OnlySouth ZoneOct 3, 2026Nov 6, 20265 deer
White-tailed deerYouth-OnlySouth ZoneOct 30, 2026Nov 1, 20265 deer
White-tailed deerGeneral SeasonSouth ZoneNov 7, 2026Jan 17, 20275 deer
White-tailed deerSpecial LateSouth ZoneJan 18, 2027Jan 31, 20275 deer
JavelinaRegular SeasonSouthernSep 1, 2026Aug 31, 20272 a year
DoveRegular SeasonSouth ZoneSep 1, 2026Oct 25, 202615 a day
DoveRegular SeasonSouth ZoneDec 18, 2026Jan 21, 202715 a day
DoveFalconrySouth ZoneNov 13, 2026Nov 29, 20263 a day
QuailRegular SeasonStatewideNov 1, 2026Feb 28, 202715 a day
Feral hogsPer area rules————
Rabbits and haresPer area rules————
Predators and furbearersPer area rules————

Area rules can be narrower than the county zone: fewer days, drawn hunts only or restricted weapons.

Hogs, exotics, rabbits and predators lack a statewide season on private land. Here the area’s rules apply.

Zone dates and bags from the TPWD Outdoor Annual 2026-27 (Outdoor Annual) for Dimmit County; area game list from the area record. Checked October 11, 2026.

Chaparral WMA plotted with nearby tracts

Orange marks Chaparral WMA. Within 60 miles: 1 other public area.

Nearest town guides: Cotulla 13 miles out, northeast; Dilley 27 miles out, northeast; Carrizo Springs 31 miles out, northwest.

APH lease

State Highway 85 (25 miles north)

25 miles to the north (Frio County).

LocalDimmit County rulesProcessors and wardensMapEvery public areaFilter by type or county

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

Dimmit County deer rules around Chaparral WMA

The county bag below is the ceiling; drawn hunts and area rules can be stricter.

Whitetail limit, Dimmit County

County listing

5Deer total
3Bucks

Deer calendar for the county

SegmentFirstLastApplies
Archery OnlyOct 3, 2026Nov 6, 2026Entire county
Youth-OnlyOct 30, 2026Nov 1, 2026Entire county
General SeasonNov 7, 2026Jan 17, 2027Entire county
Special LateJan 18, 2027Jan 31, 2027Entire county
South Texas PlainsTPWD eco zone
1,329 sq miCounty size
Carrizo SpringsCounty seat
8,181People (2024)
8 WestDeer unit
1County public tracts

Chaparral WMA on the Texas event calendar

Youth hunts account for 4 upcoming dates here.

Still to come

DatesNameWhereSign-up
Nov 14-15, 2026Youth Only Gun Deer – Antlerless/Spike – Chaparral WMA · drawn youth-only huntChaparral WMA, Dimmit CountyDrawing page
Nov 21-22, 2026Youth Only Gun Deer – Antlerless/Spike – Chaparral WMA · drawn youth-only huntChaparral WMA, Dimmit CountyDrawing page
Dec 27-30, 2026Youth Only Gun Deer – Either Sex – Chaparral WMA · drawn youth-only huntChaparral WMA, Dimmit CountyDrawing page
Jan 23-24, 2027Youth Only Javelina – Chaparral WMA · drawn youth-only huntChaparral WMA, Dimmit CountyDrawing page
Statewide calendarYouth Hunts

Event missing here? Send it to us.

Zone-by-zone dates for Dimmit County

Sort through 14 game speciess with seasons in Dimmit County; the status column turns green when a season is open.

AnimalSeasonZone or areaStartsEndsStatus
White-tailed deerArchery OnlySouth ZoneOct 3, 2026Nov 6, 2026
White-tailed deerYouth-OnlySouth ZoneOct 30, 2026Nov 1, 2026
White-tailed deerGeneral SeasonSouth ZoneNov 7, 2026Jan 17, 2027
White-tailed deerSpecial LateSouth ZoneJan 18, 2027Jan 31, 2027
TurkeyFall Archery OnlySouth ZoneOct 3, 2026Nov 6, 2026
TurkeyFall Youth-OnlySouth ZoneOct 30, 2026Nov 1, 2026
TurkeyFall Youth-OnlySouth ZoneJan 18, 2027Jan 31, 2027
TurkeyFall seasonSouth ZoneNov 7, 2026Jan 17, 2027
TurkeySpring Youth-OnlySouth ZoneMar 13, 2027Mar 14, 2027
TurkeySpring Youth-OnlySouth ZoneMay 8, 2027May 9, 2027
TurkeySpring seasonSouth ZoneMar 20, 2027May 2, 2027
JavelinaRegular SeasonSouthernSep 1, 2026Aug 31, 2027
SquirrelGeneral SeasonAll Other CountiesSep 1, 2026Aug 31, 2027
QuailRegular SeasonStatewideNov 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
DoveRegular SeasonSouth ZoneSep 1, 2026Oct 25, 2026
DoveRegular SeasonSouth ZoneDec 18, 2026Jan 21, 2027
DoveFalconrySouth ZoneNov 13, 2026Nov 29, 2026
September tealSeptember tealStatewideSep 19, 2026Sep 27, 2026
DucksYouth-OnlySouth ZoneOct 31, 2026Nov 1, 2026
DucksVeterans and militarySouth ZoneOct 31, 2026Nov 1, 2026
DucksRegular SeasonSouth ZoneNov 7, 2026Nov 29, 2026
DucksRegular SeasonSouth ZoneDec 12, 2026Jan 31, 2027
DucksDusky DuckSouth ZoneNov 12, 2026Nov 29, 2026
DucksDusky DuckSouth ZoneDec 12, 2026Jan 31, 2027
DucksFalconrySouth ZoneFeb 1, 2027Feb 21, 2027
GeeseDark GeeseWestern ZoneNov 7, 2026Feb 7, 2027
GeeseLight GeeseWestern ZoneNov 7, 2026Feb 7, 2027
Sandhill craneRegular SeasonZone AOct 31, 2026Jan 31, 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.

How long you can hunt each day near Chaparral WMA

Big game and upland birds get a half hour of light on each end of the day. Waterfowl, doves and cranes get the morning half hour but stop at sunset.

Times worked out for Chaparral 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.

Processing, taxidermy and supplies near Chaparral WMA

Dimmit County listings first, then bordering counties.

Rancho Bendecido guide service

Carrizo Springs, Dimmit County · about 40 mi away

(281) 723-7344Map itSite
Los Cazadores guide service

Pearsall, Frio County

(830) 334-5959Map itSite
Mesquite Creek Taxidermy taxidermy

Pearsall, Frio County

(830) 334-3219Map itSite
Snake Creek Taxidermy taxidermy

Dilley, Frio County

(830) 876-6501Map itSite
Double C Resort guide service

Crystal City, Zavala County

(830) 374-9975Map itSite
Academy Sports + Outdoors sporting goods

Laredo, Webb County · about 49 mi away

(956) 721-7500Map itSite
Laredo Taxidermy taxidermy

Laredo, Webb County · about 50 mi away

(210) 213-6246Map itSite
Hunting Etc guide service

Laredo, Webb County · about 53 mi away

(830) 279-8925Map itSite

Closest warden office on file: TPWD Law Enforcement Office (San Antonio) in San Antonio, 102 miles.

Processors on the mapFind taxidermy

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.

Loading up for Chaparral WMA

Four items picked for the game hunted here, each with a live search.

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

Box blind

A raised blind gives a clear look down long brush lanes.

Amazon listings

Deer feeder

Corn and protein feeders are legal for deer on private land.

Amazon listings

Rangefinder

Distances in open country are easy to misjudge.

Amazon listings

Field dressing kit

Knife, bone saw and gloves for the first chore after the shot.

Amazon listings

Compare hunting gearHunting gear guide

Chaparral WMA: common questions

What does a youth license cost?

$7 for anyone under 17 at purchase, resident or not, valid the whole license year.

Who counts as a youth hunter?

Licensed hunters 16 or younger. Youth license (Type 169, $7) valid all license year.

Is Chaparral WMA state or federal land?

A wildlife management area run by TPWD; the manager is TPWD. Program name: TPWD Wildlife Management Area.

How much ground does Chaparral WMA cover?

15,200 acres, as published by TPWD WMA page.

What permit do I need to hunt Chaparral WMA?

The $48 APH permit, bought with a season hunting license, for anyone 17 and up.

What game does Chaparral WMA list?

7 groups: whitetails, feral hogs, javelina, doves, quail, rabbits and predators.

Which zone covers Chaparral WMA for doves?

Dimmit County is in the South Zone for doves: regular season Sep 1 to Oct 25, 2026. The area may allow fewer days.

What are the buck rules near Chaparral WMA?

The Dimmit County listing allows 5 deer, 3 bucks max. Antler restrictions do not apply. Area rules may be tighter.

Does the orange rule apply at Chaparral WMA?

400 square inches minimum with 144 each on chest and back and an orange cap, during daylight firearm hunting. Turkey, waterfowl, dove and alligator hunters are exempt.

How far is Chaparral WMA from Cotulla?

Straight-line, 13 miles southwest from Cotulla. Dilley is 27 miles out.

Wrapping up Chaparral WMA

Double-check Chaparral WMA with its manager: open days, check-in and any drawn-hunt rules.

Public land mapTexas public areasHow APH worksDimmit CountyOfficial site

Other photos on this page: btrentler (CC BY 2.0); vastateparksstaff (CC BY 2.0); lasjuly (CC BY 2.0); Corey Leopold (CC BY 2.0).