FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — For outdoor enthusiasts, iSportsman will be the new go-to for hunting, fishing and general recreation here. Starting Aug. 15, the web-based platform will streamline the process to purchase permits, provide insight to areas that are open or closed and increase the safety of those recreating and Soldier training.
“Hunters and anglers are beneficial to wildlife conservation. We want them to enjoy the opportunity and experience it safely,” Dr. Amber Dankert, supervisor of Fort Cavazos’ Wildlife Management, said. “The Directorate of Public Works along with the Directorate of Emergency Service; Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation; and Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security have teamed up to help protect the environment and ensure recreating opportunities remain viable and safe well into the future.”
The installation offers thousands of acres for hunting a variety of wild game to include deer, quail, dove and turkey. Fort Cavazos’ no check in/out lakes and ponds also provide a great opportunity for Soldiers and their families, retirees, veterans, as well as civilians, to fish. Twelve of them are maintained regularly and stocked with channel catfish, averaging at least 13 inches.
Individuals will still be able to purchase permits at the Sportsmen’s Center until Aug. 15, but they will expire Sept. 1.
Dankert explained all users will soon be required to create an account and manage their activities through iSportsman.com. Dates will be announced once the iSportsman website for Fort Cavazos is established and enabled.
Registered users will be able to access area maps, regulations and policies and new updates. Individuals will also need a state hunting and/or fishing license, in addition to the installation permit. The following new recreation fees will be implemented Aug. 15:
• Hunting Permit: $75
• Fishing Permit: $25
• Youth Hunting Permit: $20
• Individuals Age 65+ and Persons with Disabilities Hunting Permit: $65
• General Recreation: $5
• Note: there is no separate area access fee.
“iSportsman is the one-stop shop and the official resource for outdoor recreational activities for more than 40 military installations across the nation,” Dankert said. “It conveniently helps users keep up with the latest guidelines and rules for each installation.”
The Fort Cavazos Hunting and Fishing Program has also implemented the following changes to deconflict hunting with training and to protect the safety of outdoorsmen:
• No permanent stands, feeders, fencing or game/trail cameras will be allowed.
• Recreation hours for hunting, fishing, and other general recreation will be 4 a.m. to midnight.
• No overnight recreation.
• No hunting or fishing in the live fire area.
• No hunting at Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area to protect paintball, biking and horseback riding, and other recreational participants.
Dankert added Fort Cavazos will also provide unguided hunting only and a modified guide system will be considered at a later date.
“Changes to the Fort Cavazos Hunting and Fishing Program will continue to provide Soldiers, families and veterans with experiences that foster stewardship and enhance outdoor safety, while protecting themselves, others and the environment,” she said.
For additional information, contact DPW at 254-760-5179 or 254-287-0310.
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