Texas BHA Chapter and TPWD Enter Agreement for Adopt-An-Access Initiative

The Texas Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is proud to enter into an agreement with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department for our Adopt-An- Access Initiative. Each year, landowners across the state participate in the Annual Public Hunt program, leasing their land to the state so it can be opened for public hunting access for all Texans. These tracts of land can be either hunted or act as easements to open access to open opportunities to already existing public tracts of land. APH leases can be found in all areas of the state, with many near our largest cities. These properties are typically leased for the September/October dove season but may also be leased for other game, including waterfowl, upland birds, and other small game. As a sign of appreciation, Texas BHA is looking for members to adopt an APH lease for the 2026-2027 hunting seasons.

Ask of Adopters:

• Purchase your 2026-2027 Annual Public Hunting (APH) Permit ($48.00)
• Place a BHA Adopt an Access sign on the site
• Enjoy the public land! Get out and hunt at least once, and preferably at least once after opening weekend.
• Bring a trash bag during your visit and collect trash on or adjacent to the public hunting grounds (after a morning hunt or before an afternoon hunt) 
• Write a thank you note that can be delivered to the landowner (if enrolled under the VPA program).
• We also ask that you send photos of yourself and your hunt party enjoying our Public Lands to texas@backcountryhunters.org or tag @texas_bha on social media.

Help us show our appreciation to these landowners for opening up their properties for public hunting by Adopting their lands and helping to keep them clean for all of us to enjoy for years to come.

To adopt an APH lease:

• Navigate to the Annual Public Hunting page on the TPWD Website.
• Select a property from the APH map on the TPWD webpage.
• APH properties are represented by the gold stars and clicking the star will show the name and unit number.
• After selecting a property, complete the BHA Adopt-An-Access form.