Gene Howe WMA: public hunting, 2026-27 seasons and access
Gene Howe WMA is 6,283 acres of public hunting land in Hemphill County and Lipscomb County, Texas, TPWD units #755 and #706. Adults hunt it on the $48 Annual Public Hunting Permit and register on site each day, in the Texas Hunt & Fish app (eOSR). TPWD's 2026-27 map booklet lists feral hogs and coyotes among the legal game, along with dove, quail, rabbits & hares and waterfowl. Some units have closure dates of their own, listed with each unit below.
Data updated October 2026. Seasons and rules: TPWD's 2026-27 Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands. Boundaries: TPWD's Public Hunt Locator map.
This areaOther public hunting landNo hunting zoneCounty lineLake or riverHighway
| TPWD unit | #755 and #706 |
|---|---|
| Size | 6,283 acres (TPWD booklet); 6,336 acres mapped |
| County | Hemphill County, Lipscomb County |
| Permit | Annual Public Hunting Permit ($48), eOSR registration each day |
| Legal game listed | Dove, Quail, Feral Hogs and Coyotes, Rabbits & Hares and Waterfowl |
| Deer | No deer season for walk-in hunters in the booklet |
| Closed | Dates differ by unit; see each unit |
| White-tailed deer unit | TPWD unit 31 East and 31 |
| Towns | Canadian (2 mi), Higgins (12 mi) and Follett (18 mi) |
| Highways | TX 213, TX 305, US 83 (1.6 mi) and US 60 (1.6 mi) |
Which units make up Gene Howe WMA?
TPWD prints Gene Howe WMA as 2 units in its 2026-27 booklet:
| Unit | Name | Acres (TPWD) | County | Legal game entries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #755 | Gene Howe WMA | 5,394 | Hemphill | 6 |
| #706 | W.A. (Pat) Murphy Unit, Gene Howe WMA | 889 | Lipscomb | 5 |
Gene Howe WMA (#755): what can you hunt in 2026-27?
Gene Howe WMA is 5,394 acres in Hemphill County. TPWD's 2026-27 booklet lists 6 legal game entries for this unit, none of them deer. Every line below is TPWD's own wording.
| Species or season | What TPWD's 2026-27 booklet says |
|---|---|
| Dove | Each day of North Zone Dove Season, except dates entire area closed. |
| Quail | Nov. 1-Jan. 31, except dates entire area closed. |
| Archery Only Feral Hogs and Coyotes | Mar. 1-31 (no bag limit). Baiting allowed during hunt period only. |
| Rabbits & Hares | (Shotgun only) Concurrent with dove and quail hunt dates. |
| Waterfowl | Hunting is allowed each day of the Early Teal, High Plains Mallard Management Unit, and Western Zone Goose season except on dates when entire area closed. |
| Fishing | Open year-round except on dates entire area closed. Pole and line only. Largemouth Bass are Catch and Release Only. State regulations for all other legal fish species. |
Rules on Gene Howe WMA
- Permit and registration: On-site registration is required.
- Closed: Entire area closed: Oct. 26-31, Nov. 9-25, Dec. 5-9, Feb. 20-24, and Apr. 10-14.
- Rule: There are NO deer hunts by APH Permit on this area.
- Special regulations: All vehicle traffic including OHVs, ORVs, etc. is limited to designated Public Hunting Roads. No hunting within 1/4 mile of campgrounds, residences, and WMA buildings in addition to other restricted areas. See Prohibited Acts for further restrictions. For more information call 806/323-8642.
Source: TPWD 2026-27 Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands, unit #755 (PDF).
Gene Howe WMA, W.A. (Pat) Murphy Unit (#706): what can you hunt in 2026-27?
This areaOther public hunting landCounty lineLake or riverHighway
Gene Howe WMA, W.A. (Pat) Murphy Unit is 889 acres in Lipscomb County. TPWD's 2026-27 booklet lists 5 legal game entries for this unit, none of them deer. Every line below is TPWD's own wording.
| Species or season | What TPWD's 2026-27 booklet says |
|---|---|
| Dove | Each day of North Zone Dove Season except on dates when entire area closed. |
| Quail | Nov. 1-Jan. 31 except on dates entire area closed.. |
| Waterfowl | Each day of the High Plains Mallard Unit and Western Zone Goose seasons except on dates entire area closed. |
| Rabbits & Hares | Concurrent with dove and quail hunts. |
| Fishing | Open year-round. Pole and line only. Largemouth Bass are Catch and Release Only. State regulations for all other legal fish species. |
Rules on Gene Howe WMA, W.A. (Pat) Murphy Unit
- Permit and registration: OSR Required Each Day
- Means restriction: Shotguns are the only means that may be used or possessed on these hunts.
- Special regulations: This unit is a walk-in only area. See Prohibited Acts for more information.
Source: TPWD 2026-27 Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands, unit #706 (PDF).
Which parts of Gene Howe WMA are closed or limited?
TPWD's map of Gene Howe WMA marks no hunting zones. No hunting zones are closed to all hunting. Measured inside the boundary from TPWD's own polygons:
| Zone | Acres | Share of Gene Howe WMA |
|---|---|---|
| No hunting zones | 368 | 5.8% |
Measured by FilledTag from TPWD's Public Hunt Locator map. Posted signs and the booklet's map are the final word on the ground.
How do you get to Gene Howe WMA?
Gene Howe WMA lies in Hemphill County and Lipscomb County. Nearest towns: Canadian (2 miles), Higgins (12 miles), Follett (18 miles) and Darrouzett (18 miles). Highways within 5 miles: TX 213 (it crosses or touches the area), TX 305 (it crosses or touches the area), US 83 (1.6 miles) and US 60 (1.6 miles). Rivers nearby: Canadian River.
TPWD's map points for Gene Howe WMA: 1 headquarters/check station, 1 camp site and 1 info station.
TPWD's page says: Open year-round, except entire area closed for special hunts. TPWD's page gives the area as 5,394 acres. Area office: (806) 323-8642.
From TPWD's Gene Howe WMA page.
Which deer management unit is Gene Howe WMA in?
Gene Howe WMA lies in TPWD white-tailed deer management units 31 East and 31 and mule deer management unit 4. TPWD publishes its harvest survey statewide; across Texas in 2025-26 it estimates 714,424 white-tailed deer hunters took 782,405 deer. The page on Texas public hunting has the statewide table.
Units: TPWD white-tailed deer management units. Harvest: TPWD Big Game Harvest Survey, 2025-26.
Questions hunters ask
Do you need a permit to hunt Gene Howe WMA?
Yes. Hunters 17 and older need the $48 Annual Public Hunting Permit along with a Texas hunting license; hunters under 17 may hunt free with a permitted adult. TPWD's booklet adds: On-site registration is required.
Can you hunt deer on Gene Howe WMA?
Not on the Annual Public Hunting Permit: TPWD's 2026-27 booklet lists no deer season here.
Can you camp on Gene Howe WMA?
TPWD's 2026-27 booklet prints no camping rules for Gene Howe WMA. Ask the area office before planning to stay overnight.
Where is Gene Howe WMA?
Gene Howe WMA is in Hemphill County and Lipscomb County. The nearest towns: Canadian (2 miles), Higgins (12 miles) and Follett (18 miles). Highways nearby: TX 213, TX 305 and US 83.
Get a Texas hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for Texas are coming. Join the list and you'll hear first. The first 50 hunters in each new state get their plan free.
Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Texas included.
Where these facts come from
- Legal game, dates, rules, permits and closures: TPWD 2026-27 Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands, units #755 and #706.
- Boundaries, zones and map points: TPWD Public Hunt Locator map. Acres and distances measured by FilledTag.
- Counties, highways and towns: U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line 2024 and Gazetteer. Lakes and rivers: USGS National Hydrography Dataset.
FilledTag is not part of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. TPWD's booklet and posted signs are the final word on every rule; nothing on this page is estimated by FilledTag.