Permits

 

Each and every person, regardless of their military or civilian status, desiring access to the Fort Bliss Training Center (FBTC) for recreational and/or hunting purposes, must first obtain a Fort Bliss Access Permit.

Every hunter, including adult(s) supervising a youth hunter, acquiring a Fort Bliss Access Permit validated for hunting will need to obtain an official-stamped Fort Bliss Firearms Registration form.  Submit a completed copy of the Fort Bliss Firearms Registration form to the Buffalo Soldier VCC in order to obtain a stamped firearms permit.  CLICK HERE for the Firearms Registration/Background Check form.

Recreation-only users and hunt party members will need to submit a Fort Bliss Firearms Registration Form for the purposes of a background check, instructions below.

 

** Do NOT take your firearms into the VCC when submitting Firearms Registration form **

 

All licensed hunters, regardless of age, and adults supervising youth hunters, who acquire a Fort Bliss Hunting Access Permit must have proof of passing a state-certified hunter safety course and will be required to carry such proof while accessing Fort Bliss including McGregor Range.

 

Permits Requirements Type of Recreation Available
Recreation *Safety Briefing Video, iSportsman Firearms Registration Form Hiking, Biking, Scouting, etc.. 4/1/2023 to 3/31/2024
Hunting *Safety Briefing Video, iSportsman Firearms Registration Form Big and Small Game Hunting 4/1/2023 to 3/31/2024
 Youth *Safety Briefing Video Youth 17 and under only 4/1/2023 to 3/31/2024
       

 

Safety Briefing Videos can be found by logging into your profile.

 

 

 Available Fort Bliss Access Permits:  All permits are valid for up to one (1) year expiring on 31 March of every year. 

Hunting & Recreation Access Permit-

The Fort Bliss Access Permit validated for hunting is available for all adults (18 years of age or older) who wish to participate during scheduled big game hunts, shotgun-only recreational small game or non-game hunting and any recreational activity.  Adults who are supervising a youth hunter are required to acquire a hunting permit. Requirements to acquire this access permit includes completing the Fort Bliss Firearms Registration form and the Fort Bliss Hunter and Range Safety Brief.  The Firearms Registration form must be submitted to a Fort Bliss Visitor Control Center (VCC) for processing. 

Access permit holders who are participating in a hunting activity on Fort Bliss must always carry with them proof of completing a state-certified hunter safety course and a valid state hunting license issued by the appropriate state hunting department ( New Mexico Department of Game & Fish [NMDGF] or Texas Parks and Wildlife Department [TPWD] ).  Holders of this permit will be subject to random spot checks by the Fort Bliss or State Game Wardens while accessing Fort Bliss for the purpose of a hunting activity.

Recreation Access Permit-

The Fort Bliss Access Permit validated for recreation is available to all adults (18 years of age or older) who wish to participate in any recreational activity.  Recreational activities include biking, bird watching, camping, hiking, horseback riding and scouting.  Requirements to acquire this access permit includes completing the Fort Bliss Firearms Registration form and viewing the Fort Bliss Hunter and Range Safety Brief.  The Firearms Registration form, leaving the firearms information blank, must be submitted to a Fort Bliss Visitor Control Center (VCC) for background check processing.

Youth Hunting & Recreation Access Permit-

The Fort Bliss Access permit validated for youths is available to all minors (17 years of age or younger) who wish to participate during any hunting or recreational activity.  Requirements to acquire this access permit includes viewing the Fort Bliss Hunter & Range Safety Brief.  Holders of this permit are restricted from checking in through their own accounts.  Youth Access Permit holders can only check-in to an activity or area(s) through the account of an adult hunting or recreation permit holder using the “additional participants” option during the check-in process.

Youth access permit holders who are participating in a hunting activity on Fort Bliss can only check-in through the account of a hunting permit holder AND must always carry with them proof of completing a state-certified hunter safety course and a valid state hunting license issued by the appropriate state hunting department ( New Mexico Department of Game & Fish [NMDGF] or Texas Parks and Wildlife Department [TPWD] ).  Holders of this permit will be subject to random spot checks by the Fort Bliss or State Game Wardens while accessing Fort Bliss for the purpose of a hunting activity.       

 

Steps to obtain a Fort Bliss Hunting and Recreation Access Permit:

Step 1:   Create Your iSportsman Account

If you do not already have an iSportsman account then register in iSportsman by clicking the “Account Login” tab, and select “New Users Registration” to complete the registration form and submit.

Step 2:   Review the Fort Bliss Hunter and Range Safety Brief

Log into your iSportsman account and under the “My Safety Briefs” tab, select the Hunter and Range Safety Briefing.

Step 3:   Clear all Validations (aka Holds) on Your Account

All adults (18 years and older) must complete and submit the Fort Bliss Firearms Registration form.  ALL ADULTS REGARDLESS OF PERMIT TYPE (i.e. HUNTING OR RECREATION) MUST SUBMIT THE FORM TO THE FORT BLISS VCC FOR COMPLETION OF A BACKGROUND CHECK. Ensure that the iSportsman Validation box is checked.

 

 

Firearms Registration Forms will only be processed weekdays during the hours of 0500-2100

The VCC will issue your Fort Bliss iSportsman account validations after they process your Firearms Registration form. 
Validations are valid for three (3) years for all active duty military members and one (1) year for all civilians.

Step 4:   Purchase Desired Access Permits

Click on “Acquire Permit(s)” on the homepage of your iSportsman account.  Add permit(s) to the shopping cart and purchase permits (no cost at this time).  After successfully purchasing permits, your permit #, a list of active permits and the option to “Print Permit” will all appear on the homepage of your iSportsman account.  Fort Bliss Access Permits are valid for up to one (1) year (all Access Permits expire 31March of each year).