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TPWD Houston/Beaumont region
Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge (formerly Anahuac NWR) hunting
Permits, 2026-27 zone dates for ducks and geese, deer limits and a map, built from TPWD and agency records.
Photo: roy.luck (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to know Jocelyn Nungaray NWR (formerly Anahuac NWR)
Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge (formerly Anahuac NWR) is a national wildlife refuge with a hunt program, listed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Its 39,411 acres rank 7th of 16 national wildlife refuges with a published acreage. Look northeast of Bolivar Peninsula (the closest town we cover), about 12 miles out. No county appears on the record; zone and deer tables use Chambers County, nearest by county center.
Read the agency access rules in the permits section.
Refuge previously named Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge; the fws.gov/refuge/anahuac page now links to this name.
From the source record and 3 linked sources, retrieved 2026-10-11; page checked October 11, 2026.
Zone calendar for Jocelyn Nungaray NWR (formerly Anahuac NWR) species
This area lists ducks and geese; the zone that holds Chambers County sets each date.
| Species | Season | TPWD zone | From | To | Daily bag | Open? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September teal | September teal | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Youth-Only | North Zone (North of IH 10) | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Veterans and military | North Zone (North of IH 10) | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Regular Season | North Zone (North of IH 10) | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Regular Season | North Zone (North of IH 10) | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Dusky Duck | North Zone (North of IH 10) | Nov 19, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Dusky Duck | North Zone (North of IH 10) | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Falconry | North Zone (North of IH 10) | Feb 1, 2027 | Feb 21, 2027 | 3 a day | |
| Ducks | Youth-Only | South Zone (South of IH 10) | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Veterans and military | South Zone (South of IH 10) | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Regular Season | South Zone (South of IH 10) | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Regular Season | South Zone (South of IH 10) | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Dusky Duck | South Zone (South of IH 10) | Nov 12, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Dusky Duck | South Zone (South of IH 10) | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Falconry | South Zone (South of IH 10) | 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 |
Treat the table as the widest window allowed. The area itself may close earlier, limit days of the week or hunt only by drawing.
If the area crosses into another county, its zone may differ from Chambers County.
Zone dates and bags from the TPWD Outdoor Annual 2026-27 (Outdoor Annual) for Chambers County; area game list from the area record. Checked October 11, 2026.
Buck and doe limits for Jocelyn Nungaray NWR (formerly Anahuac NWR)
Whitetail rules here start from the Chambers 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.
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 Jocelyn Nungaray NWR (formerly Anahuac NWR): permits and orange
Each card below quotes a TPWD or agency rule with its source.
Managing agency rules
Waterfowl hunting on about 40 percent of the refuge in free and fee zones; 2026-27 refuge hunting permit and brochure required; annual permit $48 or daily $12 (cash or check); East Unit needs an online reservation.
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
The TPWD orange rule is written for public hunting lands. Check the federal manager’s rules for this area.
Map of Jocelyn Nungaray NWR (formerly Anahuac NWR) and nearby public ground
Neighbors inside 60 miles: 8. Orange is Jocelyn Nungaray NWR (formerly Anahuac NWR).
Base towns with guides: Bolivar Peninsula southwest, 12 miles; Winnie north, 14 miles; Anahuac northwest, 18 miles.
McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge (19 miles east)
The Houston/Beaumont region, 19 miles away (east). 67,473 ac.
J.D. Murphree WMA, Salt Bayou Unit (27 miles east)
Jefferson County, 27 miles away (east). 15,397 ac.
J.D. Murphree WMA (28 miles northeast)
Jefferson County, 28 miles away (northeast). 25,852 ac.
J.D. Murphree WMA, Big Hill Unit (28 miles northeast)
Jefferson County, 28 miles away (northeast). 9,861 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 Chambers County
TPWD draws a separate zone map for deer, turkey, dove, ducks, geese, cranes and javelina. These rows are the ones that land on Chambers 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 (North of IH 10) | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Dove | Regular Season | Central Zone (North of IH 10) | Dec 11, 2026 | Jan 14, 2027 | |
| Dove | Falconry | Central Zone (North of IH 10) | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Dove | Regular Season | South Zone (South of IH 10) | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Dove | Regular Season | South Zone (South of IH 10) | Dec 18, 2026 | Jan 21, 2027 | |
| Dove | Falconry | South Zone (South of IH 10) | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| September teal | September teal | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Youth-Only | North Zone (North of IH 10) | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Veterans and military | North Zone (North of IH 10) | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular Season | North Zone (North of IH 10) | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular Season | North Zone (North of IH 10) | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Dusky Duck | North Zone (North of IH 10) | Nov 19, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Dusky Duck | North Zone (North of IH 10) | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Falconry | North Zone (North of IH 10) | Feb 1, 2027 | Feb 21, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Youth-Only | South Zone (South of IH 10) | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Veterans and military | South Zone (South of IH 10) | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular Season | South Zone (South of IH 10) | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular Season | South Zone (South of IH 10) | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Dusky Duck | South Zone (South of IH 10) | Nov 12, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Dusky Duck | South Zone (South of IH 10) | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Falconry | South Zone (South of IH 10) | 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 Jocelyn Nungaray NWR (formerly Anahuac NWR)
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 Jocelyn Nungaray NWR (formerly Anahuac NWR) 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 Jocelyn Nungaray NWR (formerly Anahuac NWR)
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Local help for Jocelyn Nungaray NWR (formerly Anahuac NWR) hunters
In-county first, then the next ring out.
For a game warden, try TPWD Law Enforcement Office (Beaumont) in Beaumont, 39 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.
Jocelyn Nungaray NWR (formerly Anahuac NWR) questions, answered
What paperwork opens Jocelyn Nungaray NWR (formerly Anahuac NWR) to hunting?
Waterfowl hunting on about 40 percent of the refuge in free and fee zones; 2026-27 refuge hunting permit and brochure required; annual permit $48 or daily $12 (cash or check); East Unit needs an online reservation.
Which species are allowed on Jocelyn Nungaray NWR (formerly Anahuac NWR)?
Listed game: ducks and geese.
What are the ducks dates for Jocelyn Nungaray NWR (formerly Anahuac NWR)?
Zone dates for Chambers County (North Zone): Nov 14 to Nov 29, 2026. The area can trim that.
Is there an antler restriction at Jocelyn Nungaray NWR (formerly Anahuac NWR)?
Per the Chambers 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 Jocelyn Nungaray NWR (formerly Anahuac NWR)?
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. Federal rules can add to it.
How do I find Jocelyn Nungaray NWR (formerly Anahuac NWR) on a Texas road map?
Bolivar Peninsula is closest, roughly 12 miles away; the area lies northeast of town. Second closest: Winnie, 14 miles.
Is there more public ground close to Jocelyn Nungaray NWR (formerly Anahuac NWR)?
Try McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge (19 miles), Sea Rim State Park (24 miles) and South China Road (24 miles).
How early can I shoot at Jocelyn Nungaray NWR (formerly Anahuac NWR)?
See the seven-day table above. Migratory birds quit at sunset, everything else 30 minutes later.
Can a hunter without hunter education go to Jocelyn Nungaray NWR (formerly Anahuac NWR)?
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.
Jocelyn Nungaray NWR (formerly Anahuac NWR): ready to go
Rules on public ground change more often than county rules. Recheck Jocelyn Nungaray NWR (formerly Anahuac NWR) on the agency page before you go.
Other photos on this page: roy.luck (CC BY 2.0); roy.luck (CC BY 2.0); roy.luck (CC BY 2.0); USFWS/Southeast (Public domain).