Accessibility

The Preserve Visitor Center, the Sundew, Pitcher Plant, and Kirby Nature Trails are accessible. All picinic tables and rest rooms are wheelchair accessible.

Hunting Registration

• Applicants can receive a permit in person any time between June 20, 2007, and the end of the Big Thicket hunting season on February 28, 2008. Permits will be available daily from 9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. (except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s) at the Preserve Visitor Center.
• The Visitor Center is located at the intersection of U.S. 69 and FM 420, approximately 8 miles north of Kountze, Texas.
• The limit on the number of permits available has been temporarily lifted.
• Permits will be issued free of charge and will allow hunters to take white-tailed deer, squirrel, rabbit, feral hog, and waterfowl from specific units of the Preserve. Everyone who meets the minimum requirements will receive a permit.
• The extended hog season will start on January 13, 2008, and end on February 28, 2008.  The extended hog hunting permit will be available upon request.
• Each hunter must be present to receive a permit and may receive a permit for only one unit.  Adults are required to have a driver's license or some other form of official identification. Minors are required to have some type of official identification, such as a birth certificate, school identification card, etc.   Mail and/or telephone requests will not be accepted.
• Children who are not 13 years of age by October 1^st of the fall hunting season do not need a permit to hunt in the Big Thicket. However, they must hunt with a licensed permitted hunter 17 years of age or older.
• The Preserve requires that hunters meet the deadline for the return of the harvest cards. For the 2007/2008 season harvest cards are due by April 7, 2008.
  

Trapping

• Applications for a total of 21 permits for the 2007-2008 State of Texas trapping season will be available beginning October 15 through October 19, 2007.
• Trappers must apply in person for a permit at the Visitor Center between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. 
• The Visitor Center is located 8 miles north of Kountze at the intersection of FM 420 and U.S. 69. A valid driver's license or some other official identification will be required of all trappers. Mail or telephone requests will not be accepted.
• Four permits are available for the Beaumont Unit, seven for the Jack Gore Baygall Unit, seven for the Lance Rosier Unit, and three for the Neches Bottom Unit. These permits allow trappers to take fur-bearing animals, i.e., raccoon, opossum, grey fox, red fox, nutria, civet cat, striped skunk, spotted skunk, mink, muskrat, ring-tailed cat, otter, badger and beaver.
• Trappers may make application to trap in more than one unit; however, a permit may not be received for all units requested. Permits will be selected by random drawing. 
• Applicants must provide the locations of their trap lines on a map provided by the Preserve. For more information contact the Preserve at 409.951.6831.

Big Thicket National Preserve Will Issue Hunting Permits at Visitor Center

Big Thicket National Preserve Superintendent Todd Brindle has announced improvements to the hunting permit system for the 2007-08 fall hunting season for the Preserve. The improvements will make it easier for the public to receive a free permit.

Under the new system, qualified applicants can receive a permit in person any time between June 20, 2007, and the end of the Big Thicket hunting season on February 28, 2008. Permits will be available daily from 9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. (except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day) at the Preserve Visitor Center located at the intersection of Highway 69 and FM 420, approximately 8 miles north of Kountze, Texas. In addition, the Preserve has temporarily removed the limits on the number of permits which will eliminate the need to stand in line to receive a permit.

Superintendent Brindle stated: "In the past, hunters had only 3 days to obtain a permit. We want to make it easier for the public to get a free hunting permit and at the same time reduce our operating costs." Permits will continue to be issued free of charge and will allow hunters to take white-tailed deer, squirrel, rabbit, feral hog, and waterfowl from specific units of the Preserve. Everyone who meets the minimum requirements will receive a permit.

Superintendent Brindle further stated: "The extended hog hunting season was very successful last year, and we will continue the season again this year." The season will start on January 13, 2008, and end on February 28, 2008. The extended hog hunting permit will be available upon request.

As in the past, each hunter must be present to receive a permit and may receive a permit for only one unit. Adults are required to have a driver's license or some other form of official identification. Minors are required to have some type of official identification, such as a birth certificate, school identification card, etc. Children who are not 13 years of age by October 1 of the fall hunting season do not need a permit to hunt in the Big Thicket. However, they must hunt with a licensed permitted hunter 17 years of age or older. The Preserve still requires that hunters meet the deadline for the return of our harvest cards. For the 2007/2008 season harvest cards are due by April 7, 2008.

Superintendent Brindle also stated: "We are looking for volunteers who have computer skills, data entry skills, and the ability to work with the public to assist in the permitting of hunters." Hunter volunteer applications can be obtained in person at Big Thicket National Preserve Visitor Center, 6102 FM 420, Kountze, Texas 77625, or by telephone request at (409) 951-6725.

Fishing

• Fishing is allowed everywhere in the Preserve.  A current Texas State Fishing License is required and State of Texas fishing regulations apply.
• The first Saturday in June of each year is the annual "Free Fishing Day" in Texas.  No person is required to have a fishing license or stamp while fishing on that day.