Texas guide · last checked Oct 29, 2026
Public hunting land near Austin, Texas
Named public land units around Central Texas from our PAD-US directory—refuges, WMAs and reservoir recreation areas—plus what TPWD says about the Annual Public Hunting Permit.
Last checked Oct 29, 2026. Units below come from our PAD-US directory for Texas. PAD-US does not prove hunting is open. Confirm seasons, permits and access with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the land manager before you hunt near Austin, Texas.
What “near Austin, Texas” means here
Austin has limited walk-up public hunting inside the city. Most hunters drive to Balcones Canyonlands NWR, Hill Country WMAs, or Corps lakes on the I-35 / Highway 29 corridor. Every unit below already has a page under Texas.
PAD-US shows ownership and an access tag. It does not replace TPWD seasons, APH check-in rules, refuge hunt permits or Corps lake schedules.
Start with TPWD’s Annual Public Hunting Permit
For TPWD’s own walk-in public hunting lands (wildlife management areas, some state parks, and leased dove/small-game tracts), Texas Parks and Wildlife sells a $48 Annual Public Hunting (APH) Permit for the 2026–27 season (valid Sep 1, 2026–Aug 31, 2027, per TPWD). You also need a season Texas hunting license. Youth under 17 may access those APH areas free with a permitted adult. A $12 Limited Public Use permit covers recreation on the same lands without hunting.
Not every public acre in our directory is an APH area. National forests, national wildlife refuges, and Corps of Engineers lakes have their own managers and rules. Use TPWD’s Area/Legal Game Search to see which units the APH permit covers, and read our Texas APH permit guide for the full summary.
TPWD: APH Permit / Walk-in Hunts · TPWD: Public Hunting in Texas
Wildlife management areas & game lands
State-managed units. Many need check-in, drawings or special permits—confirm on the agency page for each area.
- State wildlife / game area
Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area
5,316 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Mason County
Restricted access - State wildlife / game area
Kerr Wildlife Management Area
6,519 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Kerr County
Restricted access
National wildlife refuges
Refuge hunting, when offered, is often limited by season, unit or permit. Read the refuge page before you go.
- National Wildlife Refuge
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
21,707 acres
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Travis County, Burnet County + 1 more
Restricted access - National Wildlife Refuge
Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge
10,583 acres
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Colorado County, Austin County
Restricted access
Lakes & recreation areas
Corps and similar lake projects may allow hunting only in designated zones. Do not assume a directory page means the lake is open to hunt.
- Army Corps of Engineers project land
Georgetown Recreation Area
5,332 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Williamson County
Open access - Army Corps of Engineers project land
Granger Recreation Area
13,594 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Williamson County
Open access - Army Corps of Engineers project land
Canyon Recreation Area
11,604 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Comal County
Open access - Army Corps of Engineers project land
Stillhouse Recreation Area
15,217 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Bell County
Open access - Army Corps of Engineers project land
Belton Recreation Area
25,880 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Bell County, Coryell County
Open access - Army Corps of Engineers project land
Somerville Recreation Area
29,909 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Burleson County, Washington County + 1 more
Open access - Army Corps of Engineers project land
Waco Recreation Area
15,432 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · McLennan County
Open access
How to use this guide with our directory
- Pick a named area below and open its page for acreage, counties, the PAD-US access tag, and nearby units.
- Follow the managing-agency link on that page (state wildlife agency, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, BLM, or Corps of Engineers).
- Buy the required state hunting license and any stamps/permits that agency lists for the species and land type.
- Confirm deer season dates for Texas if you are hunting deer in a verified state we cover.
- Recheck closures the week you go—fire restrictions, refuge hunt lotteries and WMA check-in rules change.
Agency hunting hub: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Federal overviews: USFS hunting · FWS refuge hunting · Corps Lakes.
Common questions
Is there public hunting close to Austin?
Yes on some nearby refuges, WMAs and lakes within a couple of hours—but each unit sets its own access. Start with Balcones Canyonlands or a Hill Country WMA and verify current rules.
Do I need the APH Permit for Balcones Canyonlands NWR?
National wildlife refuges follow U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rules. The APH Permit is for TPWD public hunting lands. Check both systems so you are not missing a TPWD-administered tract.
Where are deer season dates?
See our Texas deer season page and TPWD’s outdoor annual. APH areas can also set their own dates.
Related guides
Not legal advice and not an official source. This independent site is not affiliated with any government agency. Season dates are copied from the agency pages linked above as of the “last checked” date and may have changed since. The agency’s current regulations are what count. Full disclaimer.