Black Gap Wildlife Management Area

Black Gap, a natural cleft in the basalt ridge northeast of the Sierra del Carmen, frames the headquarters site of the Black Gap Wildlife Management Area. Established in 1948, the "Gap" contains approximately 100,000 acres representative of the rugged Big Bend Country -- the typical arid, mountainous Southwest. Owned by the people of Texas and operated by the Game and Fish Commission, the area is the scene of research and developmental work dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wildlife species indigenous to the region. Mule deer, javelina, prong-horned antelope and scaled quail are among the principal game species managed. Work is in process to restore the bighorn sheep which, by the 1960's, were all but eliminated from Texas. Scientific land use practices, designed to increases the yield of natural foods for wildlife, have been instituted by the Commission. Water retention and utilization is accomplished by the construction of water impoundments, diversion dams and "push ups" seeded with native vegetation. Research findings, through demonstrations and educational extension programs conducted on this federal-state cooperative project, are available to the surrounding landowners and others who are interested. Game surpluses produced on the Black Gap are harvested periodically by hunters under a controlled public hunt program.

Black Gap Wildlife Management Area is a historical marker in Marathon, Brewster County, dedicated in 1963. It is one of 30 historical markers documented in Brewster County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 45 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.0638, -103.2739 near Marathon. The nearest cataloged historic site is Los Caballos (historical marker), about 0.2 miles away. Others within a short drive include Blas Payne Grave, First School House, and Chambers Hotel.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5043000422. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.