Paul and Toni Fox Burns WMA: access, drawn hunts and map
Paul and Toni Fox Burns WMA is 2,178 acres in Brown County, owned or managed by TPWD. It has no page in TPWD's 2026-27 Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands, so the Annual Public Hunting Permit alone does not open it to walk-in hunting. TPWD's page points hunters to drawn or special permit hunts. When it is open, in TPWD's words: Limited public access is offered during land management workshops, field days, WMA tours, and public hunts. Public hunting opportunities are offered through drawn permit hunts, during specific dates and times, with a Special Drawn Permit. For information about drawn hunts, please go to Public Hunting in Texas.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: TPWD's page for Paul and Toni Fox Burns WMA. Boundary: TPWD's WMA layer.
This areaOther public hunting landCounty lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 2,178 acres (TPWD); 2,149 acres mapped |
|---|---|
| County | Brown County |
| Walk-in hunting on the APH permit | No booklet page for 2026-27 |
| When it is open | Limited public access is offered during land management workshops, field days, WMA tours, and public hunts. Public hunting opportunities are offered through drawn permit hunts, during specific dates a |
| Area office | (254) 434-3184 |
| Towns | Blanket (8 mi), Early (11 mi) and Rising Star (12 mi) |
| Highways | US 183 |
What is Paul and Toni Fox Burns WMA for?
The Paul and Toni Fox Burns Wildlife Management Area is located in northeastern Brown County in the Cross Timbers and Prairies Ecosystem. The WMA consists of 2,178 acres of rolling grassland and limestone uplift dominated by mixed oak communities. The Burns WMA was acquired by TPWD during 2023 by way of a private donation and using Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program funds. Originally part of the Colonel Burns Ranch, much of the property received extensive mechanical brush removal and reseeding of native grasses to promote native wildlife habitat. Prior to ownership, TPWD Wildlife Division staff provided years of technical guidance to help guide conservation efforts on the ranch. During 2012, Dr. Paul and Toni Burns were awarded the Lone Star Land Steward Award for their efforts in conservation. The diversity of ecological sites and soil types provides for a wide diversity of woody and herbaceous vegetation on the Burns WMA. The property supports abundant wildlife including white-tailed deer, Rio Grande wild turkeys, black-capped vireos, a diversity of pollinators and many other species. The Burns WMA operates jointly with the nearby McGillivray and Leona McKie Muse WMA and provides areas to demonstrate habitat development and wildlife management practices to landowners and other interested groups; develop new techniques for managing wildlife populations and habitat through on-the-ground research designed for local issues and conditions; and provide public hunting and appreciative use of wildlife in a manner compatible with the resource.
All-terrain vehicles (ORVs) are not permitted on the WMA, except for use by hunters with mobility disabilities or a person directly assisting hunters with mobility disabilities. Proof of mobility disability in the form of a disabled parking placard or disabled vehicle license plate is required. ATV, OHV, or ORV use is limited to designated roads or trails only. ATV users must be compliant with the safety requirements for ATV use as set by the Texas Department of Public Safety (ATV only). If you require the use of an ORVs, please contact WMA staff in advance to review available accommodations and applicable rules.
From TPWD's Paul and Toni Fox Burns WMA page.
Can you hunt Paul and Toni Fox Burns WMA?
Only through TPWD's drawn or special permit hunts, by TPWD's page: Public hunting opportunities are offered through drawn permit hunts, during specific dates and times, with a Special Drawn Permit. Paul and Toni Fox Burns WMA has no page in the 2026-27 Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands, so the Annual Public Hunting Permit alone does not open it.
TPWD's drawn hunts are listed in its Public Hunt Drawing System, by area and hunt category.
How do you get to Paul and Toni Fox Burns WMA?
Paul and Toni Fox Burns WMA lies in Brown County. Nearest towns: Blanket (8 miles), Early (11 miles), Rising Star (12 miles) and Brownwood (14 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 183 (it crosses or touches the area).
Where can you hunt near Paul and Toni Fox Burns WMA?
The closest places on the Annual Public Hunting Permit with a page of their own:
| Area | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Muse WMA | Brown | 0.6 mi |
| Roger R. Fawcett WMA | Palo Pinto | 55.9 mi |
| Abilene State Park | Taylor | 60 mi |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt Paul and Toni Fox Burns WMA?
Only through TPWD's drawn or special permit hunts, by TPWD's page: Public hunting opportunities are offered through drawn permit hunts, during specific dates and times, with a Special Drawn Permit. Paul and Toni Fox Burns WMA has no page in the 2026-27 Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands, so the Annual Public Hunting Permit alone does not open it.
How big is Paul and Toni Fox Burns WMA?
TPWD gives it as 2,178 acres; FilledTag measures 2,149 acres inside TPWD's WMA boundary.
Where is Paul and Toni Fox Burns WMA?
In Brown County. Nearest towns: Blanket (8 miles), Early (11 miles) and Rising Star (12 miles). TPWD's address for the area: 4567 CR 477, May, TX 76857.
Where is the nearest walk-in public hunting to Paul and Toni Fox Burns WMA?
Muse WMA, 0.6 mi away, on the Annual Public Hunting Permit.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, hours and contact: TPWD, Paul and Toni Fox Burns WMA.
- Boundary: TPWD WMA boundaries. Nearby public hunting: TPWD Public Hunt Locator map and TPWD 2026-27 Map Booklet.
- Counties, highways and towns: U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line 2024 and Gazetteer.
FilledTag is not part of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.