Wright Patman Lake Hunting Areas
category : Hunting
Wright Patman Lake offers 78,300 acres of choice hunting opportunities in northeast Texas. The government fee owned property covers two counties, Bowie and Cass. Within this acreage, 58,000 acres consisting of excellent bottomland hardwood timber, in addition to, pine, oak, and hickory mix timber stands. Legal game species are: Mourning Dove, Bobwhite Quail, squirrel, rabbit, Feral Hog and, of course, White-Tailed Deer. Waterfowl hunters can also find outstanding duck habitat within the 20,300 acres of water on Wright Patman Lake. The main tributary, Sulphur River, provides numerous sloughs, oxbow lakes, and naturally occurring beaver ponds and flooded timber.
In addition to the high quality waterfowl habitat, Wright Patman Lake is located in the Central Duck Migration Corridor of the United States. All of which results in prime waterfowl hunting. Some of the duck species common to this area are: Wood duck, Gadwall, Teals (Blue-winged, Green-winged), Mallard, Canvasback, Ring-necked, Lesser Scaup, and American Wigeon to only name a few.
Currently, hunting is permitted without written permission. Because of safety concerns, hunting is prohibited inside or within 600 feet of all developed or primitive camping and recreational areas. Hunters are encouraged to wear a minimum of 400 square inches of fluorescent orange above the waist line, in addition to, a fluorescent orange headgear to be worn during deer gun season. Rifles are a lawful means for taking legal game on Wright Patman, but the hunter must follow all state and federal regulations. Antler-less deer may only be taken on federal property during archery season. It is unlawful for any person to take an antler-less deer during gun season; such violations are subject to both federal and state fines. Turkey have been introduced to the project lands by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Wright Patman Lake offers 26 miles of access roads available to the public from 15 September until 15 January each year. The roads are designed for low speed travel but provide an all weather access into excellent hunting areas.
Currently, there are two all terrain vehicle access hunting management areas in operation. These provide the hunter with excellent hunting opportunities in remote pine and hardwood mix timber. Hunters will have a unique experience, utilizing their A.T.V. for access to some of the best squirrel and White-Tailed deer habitat available. Rules within theses areas are strictly enforced to ensure safety and a memorable hunting experience. "Clear Springs Management Area" is approximately 3,000 acres, 30 access permits are issued per hunting period. "Big Creek Management Area" is somewhat smaller with 700 acres and 20 access permits issued per hunting period. Physically impaired persons are allowed to ride A.T.V.'s to a stand or use as a stationary stand if the vehicle is at least a 300-foot distance from all trails. All physically disabled hunters must possess a physician's certification stating they have a permanent ambulatory disability. A special Physically Challenged White Tailed Deer hunting event is scheduled in December in Clear Springs ATV area. The Clear Springs ATV area will be closed to ATV permitted traffic during this period.
All participants shall have successfully completed a safety ATV operations class given by the local ATV dealerships prior to operating an ATV on government property.
Hunters may access the management area by other means for example, foot, boat, and horseback or bicycle without obtaining a permit. Operating A.T.V. vehicles on project lands other than the two management areas is strictly prohibited.
Address: 10 miles southwest of Texarkana on U.S. Highway 59
Phone: 903-838-8781
Our Email: Matthew.L.Seavey@swf02.usace.army.mil
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