There’s good news for North Texas hunters looking to expand their hunting opportunities.
Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, located about 75 miles north of Dallas, has announced the opening of special turkey and hog hunts for 2013.
“We’ve been working on it for the last several years,” said HNWR Assistant Manager Rick Cantu. “We will have turkey hunts, and we’ve allowed deer hunters to take feral hogs, but now we have a specific hunt for the hogs.”
The hog hunts will be held March 8-10 and March 22-24. The turkey hunts are scheduled for April 19-21 and April 26-28. Hunters will have a great chance at harvesting a good bird, according to Cantu.
“We’ve got our units already separated out, and we’re only issuing 24 tags — if you don’t get a turkey, I don’t know what we can do to help you,” he said. “There will only be two individuals hunting in each unit, and it’s going to be a great hunt for those who get it, and we’re probably going to allow preference points.”
Cantu said the numbers of turkey he has seen over the past ten years has risen exponentially.
“(Turkey numbers) have actually increased greatly. Just from driving around I see turkeys now in areas I have not seen them before,” he said. “I’ve personally seen 100-plus birds in a flock.”
Permits for the hog hunts will be more liberal than the turkey, with around 170 tags to be issued.
Feral hog applications can be made online at Hagermanpermits.com from November 1-30. Turkey applications can be submitted December 1-31. Drawings will be December 6th, and January 7th, respectively.
For further questions, contact HNWR at (903) 786-2826.
