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2026-27 · WMA
Old Sabine Bottom WMA hunting
5,727 acres of WMA ground in Smith County, with permits, season windows, orange rules and a map of nearby land.
Photo: Maciej Kraus (CC BY 2.0)
About the Old Sabine Bottom WMA ground
Think of Old Sabine Bottom WMA as a wildlife management area run by TPWD; TPWD sets its rules, and it sits in Smith County. With 5,727 acres, it is number 24 by size among 36 wildlife management areas. Among our town guides, Athens is closest; the area lies 39 miles northeast in a straight line.
TPWD lists it in the Annual Public Hunting program, so the APH permit applies. Young hunters get their own seasons here. The TPWD drawing covers 3 hunt types at this site.
Office on file: 21187 CR 4106, Lindale, TX 75771.
From the source record and 7 linked sources, retrieved 2026-10-11; page checked October 11, 2026.
Permits for Old Sabine Bottom 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 |
|---|---|
| E-Postcard Deer | Sep 15, 2026 |
| Gun Deer – Either Sex | Sep 15, 2026 |
| Youth Only Gun Deer – Either Sex | Sep 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 and a federal duck stamp if you are 16 or older. 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.
Old Sabine Bottom WMA: species list with zone dates
For Smith County the zone calendar gives these dates for the game this area lists (whitetails, feral hogs, ducks and geese, squirrels, rabbits, predators and snipe, woodcock and rails).
| Game | Hunt | Zone | First day | Last day | Bag | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery Only | North Zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | 4 deer | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth-Only | North Zone | Oct 30, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 4 deer | |
| White-tailed deer | General Season | North Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | 4 deer | |
| White-tailed deer | Muzzleloader | North Zone | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | 4 deer | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth-Only | North Zone | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | 4 deer | |
| September teal | September teal | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Youth-Only | North Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Veterans and military | North Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Regular Season | North Zone | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Regular Season | North Zone | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Dusky Duck | North Zone | Nov 19, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Dusky Duck | North Zone | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 6 a day | |
| Ducks | Falconry | North Zone | 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 | |
| Squirrel | General Season | East Texas | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | 10 a day or none | |
| Squirrel | General Season | East Texas | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | 10 a day or none | |
| Squirrel | Youth-Only | East Texas | Sep 25, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | 10 a day or none | |
| Woodcock | Regular Season | Statewide | Dec 18, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 3 a day | |
| Woodcock | Falconry | Statewide | Feb 1, 2027 | Feb 21, 2027 | — | |
| Snipe | Regular Season | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Feb 21, 2027 | 8 a day | |
| Rails and gallinules | Regular Season | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | 15 a day | |
| Rails and gallinules | Regular Season | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 | 15 a day | |
| Rails and gallinules | Falconry | Statewide | Feb 1, 2027 | Feb 21, 2027 | — | |
| Feral hogs | See area | — | — | — | — | |
| Rabbits and hares | See area | — | — | — | — | |
| Predators and furbearers | See area | — | — | — | — |
Zone dates are the outer limit. Public areas, Old Sabine Bottom 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 Smith County; area game list from the area record. Checked October 11, 2026.
Old Sabine Bottom WMA deer rules from the Smith County listing
Old Sabine Bottom WMA uses the Smith County deer listing unless the area sets something tighter.
Smith County whitetail line
Under the antler restriction, two bucks are allowed, only one branched with a 13 inch or wider spread. From Nov. 7-29, does are legal by hunting license tag.
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 |
| Muzzleloader | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | Whole county |
| Youth-Only | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | Whole county |
Mapping Old Sabine Bottom WMA and the ground around it
Public ground within 60 miles of Old Sabine Bottom WMA: 8 areas. The orange pin is this one.
Town guides nearby: Athens 39 miles, southwest; Sulphur Springs 41 miles, northwest; Henderson 44 miles, southeast.
Lake Tawakoni State Park (42 miles northwest)
Head northwest 42 miles to reach it, in Hunt County.
Lake O' the Pines (43 miles east)
Head east 43 miles to reach it, in Camp County and Harrison County. 4,500 ac.
Tawakoni WMA (47 miles northwest)
Head northwest 47 miles to reach it, in Hunt County and Van Zandt County. 2,335 ac.
Lake Striker Public Hunting Lands (48 miles southeast)
Head southeast 48 miles to reach it, in Cherokee County and Rusk County. 1,476 ac.
Neches River NWR, Walnut Branch Unit (48 miles south)
Head south 48 miles to reach it, in Cherokee County.
Neches River National Wildlife Refuge (49 miles south)
Head south 49 miles to reach it, in Cherokee County. 10,537 ac.
Neches River NWR, Dead Water Unit (49 miles south)
Head south 49 miles to reach it, in Cherokee County.
Neches River NWR, Sandy Bluff Unit (50 miles south)
Head south 50 miles to reach it, in Cherokee County.
Points from TPWD GIS, agency pages and public geocodes as noted in each record. Distances are straight-line. Statewide public land map.
What is scheduled in Old Sabine Bottom WMA
Retrieved October 11, 2026: 1 upcoming date, covering youth hunts.
Scheduled
| Dates | Event | Where | Tickets or entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31-Nov 1, 2026 | Youth Only Gun Deer – Either Sex – Old Sabine Bottom WMA · drawn youth-only hunt | Old Sabine Bottom WMA, Smith County | Drawing page |
Old Sabine Bottom WMA: processors, shops and the warden office
Closest businesses first.
TPWD Law Enforcement Office (Tyler) in Tyler is the closest warden office, roughly 21 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 Old Sabine Bottom 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 Old Sabine Bottom 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 Old Sabine Bottom WMA
Picked for the hunting done here; prices come from a live search.
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Old Sabine Bottom WMA: the short answers
Which county deer rules apply to Old Sabine Bottom WMA?
Smith County sets 4 deer, 2 bucks max, 2 antlerless max. Antler restrictions apply. Check the area for tighter limits.
When is white-tailed deer season near Old Sabine Bottom WMA?
Nov 7, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027 for the general season in the North Zone, which covers Smith County.
From which town do hunters reach Old Sabine Bottom WMA?
About 39 miles northeast of Athens, in Smith County. Sulphur Springs, 41 miles, is the second closest.
How much orange must I wear at Old Sabine Bottom WMA?
Yes in firearm seasons: 400 sq in total, 144 front and back, orange headwear. Exempt: turkey, doves and waterfowl, alligator.
Which drawn hunts does TPWD hold at Old Sabine Bottom WMA?
TPWD lists E-Postcard Deer, Gun Deer – Either Sex and Youth Only Gun Deer – Either Sex. Area code OS. First deadline Sep 1, 2026, last Sep 15, 2026.
Which other tracts sit within a drive of Old Sabine Bottom WMA?
Nearest: Lake Tawakoni State Park (42 miles), Lake O' the Pines (43 miles) and Tawakoni WMA (47 miles).
What are legal shooting hours at Old Sabine Bottom WMA?
Sunrise less 30 minutes to sunset plus 30 for game animals and upland birds; migratory birds end at sunset.
What is the APH unit number for Old Sabine Bottom WMA?
Map booklet unit 732. The map PDF is linked at the top of this page. This is the final printed booklet year.
Can a nonresident hunt Old Sabine Bottom WMA?
Yes, with a Texas license; the nonresident general license is $315 and the only nonresident license good for deer.
Who needs hunter education in Texas?
Every hunter born September 2, 1971 or later, residents and nonresidents alike.
Final word on Old Sabine Bottom WMA
Before the drive to Old Sabine Bottom WMA, confirm the area rules, the permit you need and the zone dates for your species.
Other photos on this page: USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain); Intermountain Region US Forest Service (Public domain); sonnia hill (CC BY 2.0); Adrian Delgado2012 (CC BY 2.0).