The Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge recently announced its 2022 dove and big game hunt dates and requirements. The refuge is also offering an E-Postcard archery hunt through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Annual Public Hunting permit program.

DOVE

Dove hunting on the refuge is open from noon until sunset on Sept. 1-4, the first four days of the Texas dove season, on a 279-acre tract in Williamson County near Liberty Hill. As many as 70 permits will be issued each day on a first-come, first-served basis.

All Texas state hunting laws apply on the refuge along with the additional requirement of non-toxic shot, approved for waterfowl hunting, such as steel or bismuth.

ARCHERY

Archery hunts for white-tailed deer, turkeys, and feral hogs take place in October. Up to 20 permitted hunters will have access to a 440-acre refuge tract in Burnet County and a 200-acre refuge tract in Travis County.

E-Postcard permits will be selected through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department lottery system after purchasing an Annual Public Hunting (APH) permit, which will be available starting Aug. 15. Selected hunters must attend a mandatory orientation at refuge headquarters, 24518 RR 1431 East in Marble Falls, on Oct. 1 at 10 a.m. The APH archery hunt opens after orientation and closes on Oct. 31.

To apply for the E-Postcard archery hunt, visit the TPWD webpage.

BIG GAME

In the fall, the refuge opens 12,779 acres to permitted hunters for a big game lottery hunt in Burnet, Williamson, and Travis counties. The 2022 big game lottery hunt dates are:

• Youth hunt — Nov. 11-13
• General hunt 1 — Nov. 18-20
• General hunt 2 — Dec. 2-4
• General hunt 3 — Dec. 9-11

Permits for the big game lottery hunt will be selected through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s lottery permitting system. Hunters with disabilities are encouraged to apply and, if selected, may contact the refuge to discuss accommodations.

Each big game hunt begins at 1 p.m. on a Friday and continues through legal shooting hours the following Sunday. Hunters must watch an orientation video online before heading out.

For more information about the hunts and regulations, visit the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge website or call refuge headquarters at 512-339-9432.

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