2024-2025 Hunting Permit Information
Note: Chronic Wasting Disease has been identified previously in some deer harvested in Val Verde County, though there have been no positive test results in recent years. For more information, please visit Texas Parks & Wildlife's page to learn about the disease.
Public Hunting Opportunities Are Available at Amistad National Recreation Area at a Nominal Cost
Five specific public hunting areas will be available for hunting at Amistad National Recreation Area during hunting season. White-tailed deer, javelina, turkey, rabbit, exotic mouflon sheep, exotic aoudad sheep, exotic blackbuck antelope, exotic axis deer, and feral hog can be hunted with compound, cross, long, and recurve bows. Dove, quail, duck, and rabbit can be hunted with shotgun and birdshot. The use of rifles and handguns is prohibited at Amistad National Recreation Area.
Starting August 15, 2024, hunters may obtain a $40 Amistad National Recreation Area Hunting Permit for all five of the designated hunt areas for the entire hunting season. There are several options available to obtain/purchase your hunting permit.
**Please note, you will be required to provide your state Hunting License Customer Number on your Amistad Special Use Permit Application.**
How to Acquire Your Hunting Permit
Please read and complete the entire set of instructions for the option you select. You will not receive your permit (and cannot hunt in Amistad National Recreation Area without the permit in hand) unless all parts are completed. Option 1 - Online Application/Online Payment Step 1:Download and complete the Special Use Application Form 10-930S. Once completed and signed, please scan and email the application to the park at: [email protected]. You will recieve a confirmation email along with your permit number. You must first submit your application and receive your permit number prior to payment. Step 2: Once you receive your permit number, payment for your hunting permit can be made by credit/debit card or checking account information using the online payment system at Pay.gov. Once payment has been received your hunting permit-regulations booklet will be mailed to the address on your application within 7 days.
Option 2 - In-person Application/In-person Payment Step 1: Download and complete the Special Use Application Form 10-930S, or fill it out at the Visitor Center. Priority status will be given to those who arrive with a completed application in hand. Step 2: Bring the completed and signed form to the Visitor Center with credit/debit card payment for the $40 hunting permit fee for processing. While the permit application does require hunters to list their Texas Parks & Wildlife Customer Number, you do not need to present your hunting license to get the permit.
Option 3 - Mail-in Application/Online Payment Step 1: Download and complete the Special Use Application Form 10-930S. Step 2: Mail the completed and signed form to: Amistad National Recreation Area, Attn: Hunting Permits, 10477 Highway 90 West, Del Rio, TX 78840. You will receive a confirmation email with your permit number. You must first submit your application and receive your permit number prior to payment. Step 3: Once you receive your permit number, payment for your hunting permit can be made by credit/debit card or checking account information using the online payment system, Pay.gov (DO NOT MAIL CHECKS). Upon receipt of payment, your hunting permit-regulations booklet will be mailed to the address on your application within 7 days.
As a reminder, you must have in your possession the following documents while hunting at Amistad National Recreational Area: signed Amistad Annual Hunting Permit, valid Texas hunting license, driver license or official photo identification card, and hunter safety course certification (if required).
A copy of the current Amistad National Recreation Area Hunting Regulations may be downloaded at the link provided and printed copies are available at the Visitor Center. We urge you to read the hunting regulations carefully, as some National Park Service hunting regulations are more restrictive than the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Hunting Regulations.
Be Safe! Venomous reptiles and insects, plants with thorns and spines, caves, and sinkholes are present throughout the park. Use caution and pay attention to your surroundings. To report an emergency, call 9-1-1. For non-emergencies, call the Val Verde County Sheriff at (830) 774-7513 and request the assistance of a National 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. Please do not disturb or remove them.*
Text Description of map:
This map is an aerial overview of Amistad Reservoir showing an area of approximately 83 square miles. The map is bounded by latitude and longitude coordinates with the longitude running from about 101 5’0”W to 100 54’0”W and latitude running from 29 27’0”N to 29 33’0”N. The map legend includes the hunt area boundaries noted with a red line, the NPS boundary noted with a green line, hunt area entrances noted with a red triangle, hunt areas filled with green shading, the lake at elevation 1056’ noted with blue shading, and recently exposed land noted with light brown shading. The lake itself has four areas designated on the map, moving from west to east: Rio Grande, Castle Canyon, Devils River, and San Pedro Canyon. The Rio Grande continues off the map to the west and the Devils River continues off the map to the north, while Castle Canyon and San Pedro Canyon are bounded by land. Hunt areas 1, 2, and 3 are on the northwest side of the lake. Hunt Area 1 is the southernmost of the three, bounded by the lake on its south side and a railroad track and US Highway 90 on the north and east. It is the largest of all 5 hunt areas. Hunt Area 3 is north of hunt area 1, separated by Highway 90, and bounded by the lake on its east side. It is the smallest hunt area. Hunt Area 2 is just north of Hunt Area 3 and its southern boundary partially shares the northern boundary of Hunt Area 3. Its boundary on the east and south is Castle Canyon. All three of these hunt areas are accessed off of Highway 90. Hunt Area 4 is on the north side of the lake between Devils River and San Pedro Canyon. It is only accessible by boat. Hunt Area 5 is accessed from Highway 277 which runs from north to south along the east side of the map. Hunt Area 5 is bound by Highway 277 on the east and lake along its north and west side.
Other roads designated on the map (along with facilities that are available) include:
Other areas designated on the map: