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2026-27 · WMA
Gene Howe WMA hunting
5,394 acres of WMA ground in Hemphill County, with permits, season windows, orange rules and a map of nearby land.
Photo: objectfox (CC BY 2.0)
About the Gene Howe WMA ground
Think of Gene Howe WMA as a wildlife management area run by TPWD; TPWD sets its rules, and it sits in Hemphill County. With 5,394 acres, it is number 26 by size among 36 wildlife management areas. Among our town guides, Canadian is closest; the area lies 6 miles east in a straight line. Hunting is split across 1 listed unit, each with its own page.
TPWD lists it in the Annual Public Hunting program, so the APH permit applies. The TPWD drawing covers 9 hunt types at this site.
From the source record and 7 linked sources, retrieved 2026-10-11; page checked October 11, 2026.
Permits for Gene Howe WMA
Prices and rules come straight from the TPWD license and drawing pages.
APH access
TPWD sells the APH permit only to holders of a season hunting license, and every hunter 17 and up on this ground needs one. Coverage: more than 180 areas, over 1 million acres. No permit for under-17 hunters accompanied by a permitted adult.
Drawn categories
| Type | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Archery Deer | Aug 15, 2026 |
| Feral Hog | Nov 1, 2026 |
| Gun Deer – Antlerless/Spike | Sep 15, 2026 |
| Gun Deer – Either Sex | Sep 15, 2026 |
| Gun Mule Deer | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Spring Turkey | Nov 1, 2026 |
| Youth Only Gun Deer – Antlerless/Spike | Sep 15, 2026 |
| Youth Only Gun Deer – Either Sex | Sep 1, 2026 |
| Youth Only Spring Turkey | Nov 1, 2026 |
TPWD takes drawn-hunt applications online, with deadlines on the 1st and the 15th; winners have 10 days to claim.
Licenses for this ground
Start with a Texas hunting license: $25 for residents. This area’s game list calls for HIP certification (free) and the migratory endorsement for doves and waterfowl, a federal duck stamp if you are 16 or older, an upland endorsement and the archery endorsement. Hunters born on or after September 2, 1971 must pass hunter education or use the deferral.
Blaze orange rule
On public hunting lands this rule applies in daylight whenever firearm hunting is allowed. Turkey, migratory bird and alligator hunters are exempt, as are people in vehicles, campgrounds, parking areas, boat ramps and check stations.
Public hunt rules
No hunting from vehicles; dogs only for squirrel, rabbit, hare and game birds other than turkey; no buckshot unless allowed; deer go straight to the check station.
Gene Howe WMA: species list with zone dates
For Hemphill County the zone calendar gives these dates for the game this area lists (mule deer, whitetails, feral hogs, turkey, doves, ducks and geese, quail, rabbits and predators).
| Game | Hunt | Zone | First day | Last day | Bag | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mule deer | Archery Only | Panhandle | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | — | |
| Mule deer | General Season | Panhandle | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | — | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery Only | North Zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | 5 deer | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth-Only | North Zone | Oct 30, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 5 deer | |
| White-tailed deer | General Season | North Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | 5 deer | |
| White-tailed deer | Special Late | North Zone | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | 5 deer | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth-Only | North Zone | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | 5 deer | |
| Turkey | Fall Archery Only | North Zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | County rule | |
| Turkey | Fall Youth-Only | North Zone | Oct 30, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | County rule | |
| Turkey | Fall Youth-Only | North Zone | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | County rule | |
| Turkey | Fall season | North Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | County rule | |
| Turkey | Spring Youth-Only | North Zone | Mar 27, 2027 | Mar 28, 2027 | County rule | |
| Turkey | Spring Youth-Only | North Zone | May 22, 2027 | May 23, 2027 | County rule | |
| Turkey | Spring season | North Zone | Apr 3, 2027 | May 16, 2027 | County rule | |
| Dove | Regular Season | North Zone | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | 15 a day | |
| Dove | Regular Season | North Zone | Dec 18, 2026 | Jan 7, 2027 | 15 a day | |
| Dove | Falconry | North 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 | High Plains MMU | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Veterans and military | High Plains MMU | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Regular Season | High Plains MMU | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Regular Season | High Plains MMU | Oct 30, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Dusky Duck | High Plains MMU | Oct 31, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 6 a day | |
| Geese | Dark Geese | Western Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Feb 7, 2027 | 5 dark a day | |
| Geese | Light Geese | Western Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Feb 7, 2027 | 5 light a day | |
| Quail | Regular Season | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | 15 a day | |
| Feral hogs | See area | — | — | — | — | |
| Rabbits and hares | See area | — | — | — | — | |
| Predators and furbearers | See area | — | — | — | — |
Zone dates are the outer limit. Public areas, Gene Howe WMA included, often open fewer days or only by permit.
Feral hogs, exotics, rabbits and predators have no state season or bag on private land; on public areas the area’s own rules decide.
Zone dates and bags from the TPWD Outdoor Annual 2026-27 (Outdoor Annual) for Hemphill County; area game list from the area record. Checked October 11, 2026.
Gene Howe WMA and its neighboring units
Click a unit for its page; miles are direct.
Where the hunting happens
| Name | County | Size (ac) | Unit/code | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Murphy WMA WMA | Lipscomb | — | 706 | 18 mi |
Gene Howe WMA deer rules from the Hemphill County listing
Gene Howe WMA uses the Hemphill County deer listing unless the area sets something tighter.
Hemphill County whitetail line
Mule deer here
Panhandle sets mule deer dates.
Whitetail dates by segment
| Deer season | Start | End | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery Only | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | Whole county |
| Youth-Only | Oct 30, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | Whole county |
| General Season | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | Whole county |
| Special Late | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | Whole county |
| Youth-Only | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | Whole county |
What is scheduled in Gene Howe WMA
Retrieved October 11, 2026: 3 upcoming dates, covering youth hunts.
Scheduled
| Dates | Event | Where | Tickets or entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 14-15, 2026 | Youth Only Gun Deer – Either Sex – Gene Howe WMA · drawn youth-only hunt | Gene Howe WMA, Hemphill County | Drawing page |
| Dec 5-6, 2026 | Youth Only Gun Deer – Antlerless/Spike – Gene Howe WMA · drawn youth-only hunt | Gene Howe WMA, Hemphill County | Drawing page |
| Apr 10-11, 2027 | Youth Only Spring Turkey – Gene Howe WMA · drawn youth-only hunt | Gene Howe WMA, Hemphill County | Drawing page |
Mapping Gene Howe WMA and the ground around it
Public ground within 60 miles of Gene Howe WMA: 8 areas. The orange pin is this one.
Town guides nearby: Canadian 6 miles, west; Miami 26 miles, southwest; Perryton 44 miles, northwest.
Texas Roberts (41 miles west)
Head west 41 miles to reach it, in Ochiltree County. 1,625 ac.
FM 759 HQ (44 miles northwest)
Head northwest 44 miles to reach it, in Ochiltree County. 325 ac.
Porter (48 miles west)
Head west 48 miles to reach it, in Hansford County and Ochiltree County. 965 ac.
Points from TPWD GIS, agency pages and public geocodes as noted in each record. Distances are straight-line. Statewide public land map.
Gene Howe WMA: processors, shops and the warden office
Closest businesses first.
TPWD Law Enforcement Office (Amarillo) in Amarillo is the closest warden office, roughly 100 miles off.
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.
Daily shooting window around Gene Howe WMA
Texas opens game animals and upland birds 30 minutes ahead of sunrise and closes them 30 minutes after sunset; doves, ducks, geese and cranes quit at sunset.
Times worked out for Gene Howe 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.
Shopping list for Gene Howe WMA
Picked for the hunting done here; prices come from a live search.
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Gene Howe WMA: the short answers
How do I get access to hunt Gene Howe WMA?
APH permit, $48, for adults; a season hunting license is required to buy it.
What footprint does Gene Howe WMA have on the map?
5,394 acres per TPWD WMA page.
When is dove season near Gene Howe WMA?
Sep 1 to Nov 8, 2026 for the regular season in the North Zone, which covers Hemphill County.
What can I hunt at Gene Howe WMA?
Mule deer, whitetails, feral hogs, turkey, doves, ducks and geese, quail, rabbits and predators.
How much orange must I wear at Gene Howe WMA?
Yes in firearm seasons: 400 sq in total, 144 front and back, orange headwear. Exempt: turkey, doves and waterfowl, alligator.
Which county deer rules apply to Gene Howe WMA?
Hemphill County sets 5 deer, 1 buck max. Not an antler restriction county. Check the area for tighter limits.
Which other tracts sit within a drive of Gene Howe WMA?
Nearest: Big Timber (9 miles), Horse Creek (10 miles) and Pat Murphy WMA (18 miles).
From which town do hunters reach Gene Howe WMA?
About 6 miles east of Canadian, in Hemphill County. Miami, 26 miles, is the second closest.
What is the APH unit number for Gene Howe WMA?
Map booklet unit 755. The map PDF is linked at the top of this page. This is the final printed booklet year.
Which drawn hunts does TPWD hold at Gene Howe WMA?
TPWD lists Archery Deer, Feral Hog, Gun Deer – Antlerless/Spike, Gun Deer – Either Sex and Gun Mule Deer. Area code GE. First deadline Aug 15, 2026, last Nov 1, 2026.
Final word on Gene Howe WMA
Before the drive to Gene Howe WMA, confirm the area rules, the permit you need and the zone dates for your species.
Other photos on this page: Charles & Clint (CC BY-SA 2.0); Calistemon (CC BY-SA 4.0); Free Public Domain Illustrations by rawpixel (CC BY 2.0); TexasExplorer98 (CC BY 2.0).