Candy Abshier Wildlife Management Area is famous for the daily hawk watches that are conducted from early August to November. These watches are sponsored by the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory (GCBO), the Houston Ornithology Group and the Hawk Watch International

In addition to the tens of thousands of Mississippi Kites, Broad-winged Hawks, Red-tails, Coopers, Sharp-shinned, Kestrels, Merlins, Swainson's Hawks, Peregrine Falcons, and accipiter that are seen annually, unusual species such as Swallow-tailed Kite are often reported from these watches. The oaks in Candy Abshier WMA attract migrant land birds, and Henslow's Sparrows have wintered in the grassy fields near the observation platform. Hundreds of hummingbirds, white-winged doves and thousands of swallows also pass by the watch platform. Flocks of anhinga and wood storks are common sights.

No permits are needed for visiting this site.

The Candy Cain Abshier Wildlife Management Area has 207 acres located along Galveston Bay and Trinity Bay, near Smith Point in Chambers County and is one of a few public access points on the Texas coast. The Wildlife Management Area was given its name to honor Catherine "Candy" Cain Abshier, a former Texas Parks and Wildlife employee who promoted wetland conservation recycling and preservation of historic sites.

The land was purchased in 1990 as a nongame area and the habitat which is mostly coastal plains with a 60 acre stand of live oak and several freshwater ponds is a prime fallout habitat for migrating birds coming and going to South America. During the spring migration, the bird population increases to great numbers from migrants reaching landfall from the trans gulf migration. Although not as spectacular as the spring migration, birds congregate on the area in the fall prior to beginning of their winter migration.

Through the efforts of Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, a hawk watch tower and observation platform overlooking the bay are the center of this prominent birding center. The red-tailed hawks as well as other birds of prey make Smith Point and Candy Abshier WMA their stopping point on their annual migrations. An annual hawk watch begins each August 15 and continues until November 15. During that period, someone representing one of the supporting organizations will be present during daytime hours on most days.

Planned and supported by many national organizations, the Candy Abshier WMA, has become one of the most popular points on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail.

This portion of the Great Texas Birding Trails covers the major sites in Chambers County, Texas

Many Texas Wildlife Management Areas are open for activities such as biking, primitive camping, birding, fishing, hiking, equestrian activities, driving tours, and wildlife viewing.

Many times you need minimally a Texas Limited Public Use Permit (LPU - #175). You can purchase a Limited Public Use Permit or Annual Public Hunting Permit at any location that sells hunting licenses or at the Texas License Connection. If purchased online a representation of receipt is acceptable until official printer version has been mailed to you. In some cases it's not obvious when you need a permit for a Texas Wildlife Management Area so it might be better to be safe, because Texas game wardens do check for such permits.