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Wildlife refuge · Houston/Beaumont
Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge hunting
A hunter’s summary of Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge in Liberty County: permits, zone dates, legal light and local services.
Photo: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Southwest Region (Public domain)
What Trinity River NWR is and who runs it
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service oversees Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge, a national wildlife refuge with a hunt program covering ground in Liberty County. Size on record: 29,607 acres, 8th in a field of 16 national wildlife refuges. Cleveland is the nearest of our town guides, roughly 23 miles away (the area lies southeast of it). 6 child units hold the actual hunts.
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.
Trinity River 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity River NWR, Boars Den Unit refuge unit | — | — | UI | 3 mi |
| Trinity River NWR, Brierwood Unit refuge unit | — | — | UK | 3 mi |
| Trinity River NWR, Butler Unit refuge unit | — | — | UJ | 3 mi |
| Trinity River NWR, Hirsch Unit refuge unit | — | — | UG | 3 mi |
| Trinity River NWR, McGuire Unit refuge unit | — | — | UL | 3 mi |
| Trinity River NWR, Page Unit refuge unit | — | — | UH | 3 mi |
Paperwork for hunting Trinity River NWR
Fees are TPWD figures for the license year.
Quota and lottery
Permits are limited, as the agency wording describes.
Rules from the manager
Archery, upland game, general gun and muzzleloader hunts on seven properties through the TPWD drawing; Champion Lake waterfowl hunt handled through refuge headquarters in Liberty.
Licensing
You need a hunting license; residents pay $25. On top of that, bring a migratory endorsement and HIP certification, the federal duck stamp, 16 and over 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.
Trinity River NWR species and 2026-27 dates
Game named for the area: whitetails, feral hogs, ducks and geese, squirrels and rabbits. Each row uses the zone that covers Liberty County.
| Species | Hunt | Zone | Opening | Closing | Limit | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Feral hogs | Per area rules | — | — | — | — | |
| Rabbits and hares | 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.
Zone dates and bags from the TPWD Outdoor Annual 2026-27 (Outdoor Annual) for Liberty County; area game list from the area record. Checked October 11, 2026.
Trinity River NWR plotted with nearby tracts
Orange marks Trinity River NWR. Within 60 miles: 8 other public areas.
Nearest town guides: Cleveland 23 miles out, northwest; Anahuac 26 miles out, south; Shepherd 28 miles out, northwest.
Trinity River NWR, Boars Den Unit (3 miles south)
3 miles to the south (the Houston/Beaumont region).
Trinity River NWR, Brierwood Unit (3 miles south)
3 miles to the south (the Houston/Beaumont region).
Trinity River NWR, Butler Unit (3 miles south)
3 miles to the south (the Houston/Beaumont region).
Trinity River NWR, Hirsch Unit (3 miles south)
3 miles to the south (the Houston/Beaumont region).
Trinity River NWR, McGuire Unit (3 miles south)
3 miles to the south (the Houston/Beaumont region).
Trinity River NWR, Page Unit (3 miles south)
3 miles to the south (the Houston/Beaumont region).
South China Road (28 miles southeast)
28 miles to the southeast (Jefferson County). 1,036 ac.
Points from TPWD GIS, agency pages and public geocodes as noted in each record. Distances are straight-line. Statewide public land map.
Liberty County deer rules around Trinity River NWR
The county bag below is the ceiling; drawn hunts and area rules can be stricter.
Whitetail limit, Liberty County
Bucks here must show one unbranched antler or a spread of 13 inches inside; the second buck cannot also be a wide branched one. Antlerless deer Nov. 7-29, on a hunting license tag.
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 3, 2027 | Entire county |
| Muzzleloader | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | Entire county |
| Youth-Only | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | Entire county |
Zone-by-zone dates for Liberty County
Sort through 11 game speciess with seasons in Liberty County; the status column turns green when a season is open.
| Animal | Season | Zone or area | Starts | Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Dove | Regular Season | Central Zone | Dec 11, 2026 | Jan 14, 2027 | |
| Dove | Falconry | Central Zone | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| September teal | September teal | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Youth-Only | North Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Veterans and military | North Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular Season | North Zone | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular Season | North Zone | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Dusky Duck | North Zone | Nov 19, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Dusky Duck | North Zone | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Falconry | North 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 | |
| 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.
How long you can hunt each day near Trinity River 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 Trinity River 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 Trinity River NWR
Liberty County listings first, then bordering counties.
Closest warden office on file: TPWD Law Enforcement Office (Beaumont) in Beaumont, 37 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 Trinity River NWR
Four items picked for the game hunted here, each with a live search.
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Trinity River NWR: common questions
What are the buck rules near Trinity River NWR?
The Liberty County listing allows 4 deer, 2 bucks max, 2 antlerless max. Buck antler rules apply. Area rules may be tighter.
Does the orange rule apply at Trinity River 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 Trinity River NWR from Cleveland?
Straight-line, 23 miles southeast from Cleveland. Anahuac is 26 miles out.
What is the closest public area to Trinity River NWR?
Trinity River NWR, Boars Den Unit (3 miles), Trinity River NWR, Brierwood Unit (3 miles) and Trinity River NWR, Butler Unit (3 miles).
Can I hunt doves until sunset at Trinity River NWR?
Legal light: 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset, except doves and waterfowl, which end at sunset.
How young can a child hunt in Texas?
Children under 9 may hunt only when accompanied by a licensed adult 17 or older who has passed hunter education or is exempt.
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 Trinity River 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 Trinity River NWR cover?
29,607 acres, as published by USFWS Annual Report of Lands as of 9/30/2025 (total refuge acres in Texas).
Wrapping up Trinity River NWR
Double-check Trinity River NWR with its manager: open days, check-in and any drawn-hunt rules.
Other photos on this page: DaPuglet (CC BY-SA 2.0); USFWS/Southeast (Public domain); sonnia hill (CC BY 2.0); Maciej Kraus (CC BY 2.0).