Home › Texas › Public land › Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR
Wildlife refuge · San Antonio/Corpus Christi
Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge hunting
A hunter’s summary of Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Cameron County: permits, zone dates, legal light and local services.
Photo: danielle.brigida (CC BY 2.0)
What Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR is and who runs it
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service oversees Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge, a national wildlife refuge with a hunt program. Size on record: 101,700 acres, 2nd in a field of 16 national wildlife refuges. Raymondville is the nearest of our town guides, roughly 35 miles away (the area lies southeast of it). 5 child units hold the actual hunts. County left blank in the data; Cameron County is the nearest county center and supplies the zone dates.
The agency’s own access rules are quoted under permits below.
From the source record and 3 linked sources, retrieved 2026-10-11; page checked October 11, 2026.
Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR: complex, county and sibling units
Straight-line miles from this page’s point.
Units that make it up
| Lease or unit | County | Acres | Unit | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR, La Casita East refuge unit | Starr | 1,400 | 506 | 86 mi |
| Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR, East Lake refuge unit | — | — | UE | 42 mi |
| Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR, Schaleben refuge unit | — | — | UW | 46 mi |
| Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR, Tecolote refuge unit | — | — | UX | 46 mi |
| Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR, Teniente refuge unit | — | — | UD | 46 mi |
Paperwork for hunting Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR
Fees are TPWD figures for the license year.
Quota and lottery
Permits are limited, as the agency wording describes.
Rules from the manager
Hunting at designated sites only; no general hunting. Lottery big game hunts (archery, firearms, youth) through the TPWD drawing; two deer (one buck) plus unlimited exotics.
Licensing
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
Federal managers set their own rules; the TPWD public land orange rule is shown for reference.
Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR species and 2026-27 dates
Game named for the area: whitetails, feral hogs, exotics, turkey, javelina and doves. Each row uses the zone that covers Cameron County.
| Species | Hunt | Zone | Opening | Closing | Limit | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery Only | South Zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | 5 deer | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth-Only | South Zone | Oct 30, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 5 deer | |
| White-tailed deer | General Season | South Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 17, 2027 | 5 deer | |
| White-tailed deer | Special Late | South Zone | Jan 18, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | 5 deer | |
| Turkey | Fall Archery Only | South Zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | County rule | |
| Turkey | Fall Youth-Only | South Zone | Oct 30, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | County rule | |
| Turkey | Fall Youth-Only | South Zone | Jan 18, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | County rule | |
| Turkey | Fall season | South Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 17, 2027 | County rule | |
| Turkey | Spring Youth-Only | South Zone | Mar 13, 2027 | Mar 14, 2027 | County rule | |
| Turkey | Spring Youth-Only | South Zone | May 8, 2027 | May 9, 2027 | County rule | |
| Turkey | Spring season | South Zone | Mar 20, 2027 | May 2, 2027 | County rule | |
| Javelina | Regular Season | Southern | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | 2 a year | |
| Dove | Regular Season | South Zone | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | 15 a day | |
| Dove | Regular Season | South Zone | Dec 18, 2026 | Jan 21, 2027 | 15 a day | |
| Dove | Falconry | South Zone | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | 3 a day | |
| Feral hogs | Per area rules | — | — | — | — | |
| Exotics | Per 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. Cameron County was picked as the nearest county center; confirm the zone if the area spans a line.
Zone dates and bags from the TPWD Outdoor Annual 2026-27 (Outdoor Annual) for Cameron County; area game list from the area record. Checked October 11, 2026.
Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR plotted with nearby tracts
Orange marks Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR. Within 60 miles: 8 other public areas.
Nearest town guides: Raymondville 35 miles out, northwest; Falfurrias 89 miles out, northwest; Rio Grande City 93 miles out, west.
Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (5 miles north)
5 miles to the north (the San Antonio/Corpus Christi region). 99,390 ac.
Laguna Atascosa NWR, Bahia Grande Unit (14 miles southeast)
14 miles to the southeast (the San Antonio/Corpus Christi region). 21,700 ac.
Las Palomas WMA, Carricitos Unit (15 miles west)
15 miles to the west (Cameron County). 118 ac.
Las Palomas WMA, Arroyo Colorado Unit (16 miles northwest)
16 miles to the northwest (Cameron County).
Resaca de la Palma State Park (18 miles southwest)
18 miles to the southwest (Cameron County).
Points from TPWD GIS, agency pages and public geocodes as noted in each record. Distances are straight-line. Statewide public land map.
Cameron County deer rules around Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR
The county bag below is the ceiling; drawn hunts and area rules can be stricter.
Whitetail limit, Cameron County
Deer calendar for the county
| Segment | First | Last | Applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery Only | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | Entire county |
| Youth-Only | Oct 30, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | Entire county |
| General Season | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 17, 2027 | Entire county |
| Special Late | Jan 18, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | Entire county |
Zone-by-zone dates for Cameron County
Sort through 15 game speciess with seasons in Cameron County; the status column turns green when a season is open.
| Animal | Season | Zone or area | Starts | Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery Only | South Zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth-Only | South Zone | Oct 30, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | General Season | South Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Special Late | South Zone | Jan 18, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Turkey | Fall Archery Only | South Zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | |
| Turkey | Fall Youth-Only | South Zone | Oct 30, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Turkey | Fall Youth-Only | South Zone | Jan 18, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Turkey | Fall season | South Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| Turkey | Spring Youth-Only | South Zone | Mar 13, 2027 | Mar 14, 2027 | |
| Turkey | Spring Youth-Only | South Zone | May 8, 2027 | May 9, 2027 | |
| Turkey | Spring season | South Zone | Mar 20, 2027 | May 2, 2027 | |
| Javelina | Regular Season | Southern | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Squirrel | General Season | All Other Counties | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Chachalaca | Regular Season | Open counties | Nov 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Quail | Regular Season | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Dove | Regular Season | South Zone | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Dove | Regular Season | South Zone | Dec 18, 2026 | Jan 21, 2027 | |
| Dove | Falconry | South Zone | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| September teal | September teal | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Youth-Only | South Zone | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Veterans and military | South Zone | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular Season | South Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular Season | South Zone | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Dusky Duck | South Zone | Nov 12, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Dusky Duck | South Zone | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Falconry | South 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 | |
| Sandhill crane | Regular Season | Zone C | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 17, 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.
How long you can hunt each day near Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR
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 Lower Rio Grande Valley 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.
Processing, taxidermy and supplies near Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR
Cameron County listings first, then bordering counties.
Closest warden office on file: TPWD Law Enforcement Office (Brownsville) in Brownsville, 15 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.
Loading up for Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR
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.
Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR: common questions
Is Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR state or federal land?
A national wildlife refuge with a hunt program; the manager is U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Program name: National Wildlife Refuge hunt program.
How much ground does Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR cover?
101,700 acres, as published by USFWS Annual Report of Lands as of 9/30/2025 (total refuge acres in Texas).
What permit do I need to hunt Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR?
Hunting at designated sites only; no general hunting. Lottery big game hunts (archery, firearms, youth) through the TPWD drawing; two deer (one buck) plus unlimited exotics.
How are Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR hunt slots handed out?
Not every hunt is open entry. Hunting at designated sites only; no general hunting. Lottery big game hunts (archery, firearms, youth) through the TPWD drawing; two deer (one buck) plus unlimited exotics.
What game does Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR list?
6 groups: whitetails, feral hogs, exotics, turkey, javelina and doves.
Which zone covers Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR for doves?
Cameron 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 Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR?
The Cameron County listing allows 5 deer, 3 bucks max. Antler restrictions do not apply. Area rules may be tighter.
Does the orange rule apply at Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR?
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. Ask the federal manager.
How far is Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR from Raymondville?
Straight-line, 35 miles southeast from Raymondville. Falfurrias is 89 miles out.
What is the closest public area to Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR?
Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (5 miles), Laguna Atascosa NWR, Bahia Grande Unit (14 miles) and Las Palomas WMA, Carricitos Unit (15 miles).
Wrapping up Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR
Double-check Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR with its manager: open days, check-in and any drawn-hunt rules.
Other photos on this page: danielle.brigida (CC BY 2.0); bgautrea (CC BY-SA 2.0); aulbarnes08 (CC BY 2.0); Corey Leopold (CC BY 2.0).