Hunting

Public Hunting Opportunities Are Available at Amistad National Recreation Area at a Nominal Cost

The 2016-2017 Hunting Season at Amistad National Recreation Area begins September 1, 2016, and ends February 26, 2017.

Five specific public hunting areas will be available for archery and shotgun hunting at Amistad National Recreation Area during the 2016-2017 hunting season. White-tailed deer, javelina, turkey, rabbit, exotic mouflon sheep, exotic aoudad sheep, exotic blackbuck antelope, and feral hog can be hunted with compound, recurved, and long bows. Dove, quail, duck, and rabbit can be hunted with shotgun and birdshot. The use of rifles or handguns is prohibited at Amistad National Recreation Area.

Starting on August 22, 2016, hunters can obtain a $20 National Park Service Annual Hunting Permit for the hunting areas in Amistad National Recreational Area. There are several new options available for purchasing your hunting permit. The Annual Hunting Permit authorizes the hunter to hunt in all five of the designated hunt areas for the entire 2016-2017 hunting season as indicated in the National Park Service Hunting Regulations booklet.

The 2016-2017 hunting season brings a variety of new changes regarding the purchase of the Amistad Annual Hunting Permit. We no longer require your Texas Hunting License to be presented prior to obtaining an Amistad Annual Hunting permit. However, you must have the following in your possession while hunting at Amistad National Recreational Area:

Our new purchase options are listed in detail below:

Option 1: Come in to the Visitor Center and fill out the special use application form (Special Use Application Form 10-930S) in person. The cost for a hunting permit is $20 which can be paid with cash, credit or check. You will then be issued your hunting permit for the 2016-2017 hunting season. The Visitor Center is on U.S. Hwy 90 W, six miles west of Del Rio, Texas.

Option 2: Download the special use application form (Special Use Application Form 10-930S) from our park website, www.nps.gov/amis, and bring in the completed and signed form to the Visitor Center with the $20 fee for the 2016-2017 hunting permit.

Option 3: Download the special use application form (Special Use Application Form 10-930S) and mail in the completed and signed form to the park with a check for $20. Checks must be made payable to the National Park Service. Upon receipt of the signed form and payment, a hunting permit will be mailed to you with the current Hunting Regulations booklet within 14 days. The special use application form and check can be mailed to:

Option 4: Download the special use application form (Special Use Application Form 10-930S) and scan and email the completed and signed form to the park at amis_interpretation@nps.gov. A Visitor Use Assistant will then contact you over the phone to collect the $20 fee by credit card transaction. Once the transaction is complete your hunting permit will be mailed to you along with the current Hunting Regulations booklet.

Options 5: Download the special use application form (Special Use Application Form 10-930S) from the park website at www.nps.gov/amis. Once you have completed and signed the application form, you can then give the signed form to a friend, family member, hunting partner, etc. They can then bring your signed form to the Park Visitor Center, pay the $20 fee for you, and pick up your Annual Hunting Permit for you. They can do everything but sign the form for you. You have to be the one who signs your special use application form.

A copy of Amistad National Recreation Area 2016-2017 Hunting Regulations (14 MB) is available to read, print, or download from our website at www.nps.gov/amis/planyourvisit/hunting.htm. A printed copy of these hunting regulations is also available at the Visitor Center. We urge you to read the hunting regulations carefully, as National Park Service Hunting Regulations are more restrictive than the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Hunting Regulations.

Be Safe! There are venomous reptiles and insects, plants with thorns and spines, caves and sinkholes present throughout the park. Use caution and pay attention to your surroundings. To report an emergency, call 911. For non-emergencies, call the Val Verde County Sheriff at 830-774-7513 and request the assistance of a park ranger. We recommend that you carry safety items such as a flashlight, compass, first aid kit, maps, and water.

All archeological features and artifacts are protected by Federal law.

Hunt Area Maps

Amistad Hunt Areas (2.98 MB)
Hunt Area 1 (1.92 MB)
Hunt Area 2 (2.06 MB)
Hunt Area 3 (1.93 MB)
Hunt Area 4 (1.64 MB)
Hunt Area 5 (1.72 MB)