Belton Lake Archery Deer Hunt Permits
Belton Lake is a multipurpose water resources project constructed and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Fort Worth District. The lake and associated federal lands are located in Bell and Coryell Counties, Texas (TX). The dam and surrounding infrastructure, as well as all lands acquired for the Belton Lake project, are federally owned and administered by the USACE.
With over 12385 surface acres of water and 13541 acres of land, the lake and surrounding land provides several recreational opportunities including boating, hiking, hunting, fishing, swimming, and camping. The area offers a mixture of geologic features such as rolling hills, dramatic cliffs, riparian forests, grasslands, springs, and river habitats. These habitats support an abundance of wildlife species, including game and non-game species, migratory waterfowl, resident and migratory songbirds, wading birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
White Flint Wildlife Management Area, Horseshoe Bend Wildlife Management Area, and Cedar Creek Wildlife Management Areas are the only areas that will be open for deer hunting. Designated hunting areas may be accessed using public lands and designated access points. Hunters will not be allowed to drive to hunting locations. Legal blinds and feeders may be used as determined by USACE.
The hunt will be available for archery equipment only, there will be a required hunter orientation meeting scheduled November 8, 2024 at the Belton Lake Offie located at 3110 FM 2271, Belton Texas.
Notifications and Alerts
Effective 1 April, 2025, fees at Belton Lake will be increasing for selected facilities at Belton Lakeview Park Boat Ramp Day Use, Cedar Ridge Park Activity Center, Cove Side Pavilion, Sunset Pavilion, Live Oak Ridge Activity Center, Owl Creek Park Day Use, and White Flint Park Boat Ramp. Reservations made before 1 April, 2025 will not be impacted by the price increases. A new QR Code scan-to-pay fee collection system will be added as a day use payment method at new locations for day use. For more information, please view Public Notice or contact the Belton Lake Office at 254-742-3050.
Contracted maintenance and repair activities are ongoing from March through June 2025 in multiple parks at Belton Lake. Customers with camping reservations that are affected by closures will be notified of impacts through Recreation.gov prior to their reservation date. Some day-use facilities may be temporarily closed for repairs. Signage will be placed at park entrances to alert customers of closures. For More information, please contact the Belton Lake Office at 254-742-3050. Affected Locations: Cedar Ridge Park, Westcliff Park, Temple's Lake Park, Miller Springs Park, Belton Lakeview Park, White Flint Park and other facilities lakewide.
Permit & Season Information
Permit holders will be eligible to archery hunt white-tailed deer at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers managed lands at Belton Lake during specified season. This permit alone does not guarantee the applicant the right to hunt. Applicants must attend hunter orientation and complete additional requirements to receive official hunting permit from the lake office.
Season dates and bag limits will be designated by the Corps of Engineers.
*USACE Employees and volunteers will not be authorized to enter this hunt, for questions or concerns please contact the Belton Lake Office at 254-742-3050
Need to Know
Selection & Acceptance:
- Applicants will be selected through the Recreation.gov lottery. Selected applicants will receive an email notifying them of their status after the application period has closed.
- Selected applicants must confirm their reservation and complete the payment to receive their permit letter.
- The Recreation.gov issued permit alone does not guarantee the applicant the right to hunt.
- Permit fees and application fees are non-refundable.
- One lottery submission per person allowed. If multiple submissions are entered, that person will not be accepted in the lottery.
- Only the selected hunter will be allowed to hunt under this permit.
Permit Pick-up:
- Official hunting permits are issued by the Belton Lake Office
- Applicants must attend hunter orientation. Permits will be issued at the orientation.
- Hunters must bring printed permit and required documents to the orientation.
- Hunters must complete additional requirements to receive permit.
Additional Requirements:
- Hunters will be required to successfully complete a proficiency test, dated May 1, 2024, or later, with a score of 80% or more. A scorecard, signed by a range officer, will suffice as proof of proficiency.
- Belton Lake will not conduct proficiency tests on site.
- Hunters must meet all Texas Parks and Wildlife licensing, stamp and education requirements.
- Hunters must sign waiver of liability and hunting rules provided by the lake office.
- Hunters must attend orientation at the Belton Lake Office.
Required Documents:
- Photo I.D.
- TPWD Hunting License
- Proof of Hunter’s Education or Current Exemption
- Proficiency Test with a score of 80% or higher (dated May 1, 2024 or later)
- Signed Belton Lake Hunting Policies (will be provided at the orientation)
- Signed Belton Lake Waiver of Liability (will be provided at the orientation)
- Recreation.gov issued permit letter (proof of recreation fee payment)
Rules and Regulations:
- Hunting is allowed in designated areas only. Only select wildlife management areas will be open for this hunt.
- Hunters must possess lake issued permit while hunting.
- Hunters must abide by all TPWD and USACE regulations.
- Hunting locations are available on a first-come-first serve basis
- Hunting areas are used for other recreational and wildlife management purposes. Hunters do not have exclusive use of these areas.
- Hunters may not place stands and feeders before set date. Feeders and blinds must be properly marked as determined by lake office.
- Hunters must use public access points to enter areas. Vehicle access to wildlife management areas will not be granted.
- Camping is allowed in designated areas only. Camping reservations must be made through Recreation.gov.
- Persons age 12-16 are eligible to obtain a hunting permit and must be accompanied by an adult.
- Persons younger than 11 years of age cannot obtain a permit to hunt, but may be allowed to accompany permitted adult.
Fee Policy
Reservation Fee:
- A $10.00 application fee (permit reservation fee) applies at time of entry into lottery.
- This fee is non-refundable and must be processed through Recreation.gov.
Recreation Fee:
- Selected applicants will be notified of their selection through email.
- Successful applicants must confirm their reservation and pay an additional $10.00 recreation fee to collect their permit. A permit letter with further instruction will be emailed to them after the confirmation is complete.
- This fee is non-refundable and must be processed through Recreation.gov.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy:
- Customers, the call center, and the facility can cancel a reservation at any time. No refunds are provided for cancellations.
Change Policy:
- No modifications are allowed for this permit. This permit is non-transferable. Permits fees are non-refundable.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
3110 FM 2271 Belton TX 76513
Phone Number
(254) 742-3050
