Missouri Hunting

Missouri

The epicenter of spring turkey hunting, Midwestern agricultural monster bucks, and premier waterfowl conservation.

Public Access & WMAs

Public Lands to Hunt in Missouri

Official Regulatory Authority

Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC)

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The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) oversees one of the nation's most comprehensive conservation networks, managing nearly 1,000 Conservation Areas covering over 1 million acres of public land. Supported by the federal Mark Twain National Forest (1.5 million acres), Missouri provides hunters with outstanding access to the Ozark highlands, river bottoms, and tallgrass prairies without user fees for resident or non-resident public sportsmen.
Mark Twain National Forest
Ozark Highlands | 1.5 Million Acres

Mark Twain National Forest

Spanning 29 counties across the southern Missouri Ozarks. Steep oak-hickory forested ridges, shortleaf pine woodlands, and clear gravel-bottom river hollows provide endless public hunting for whitetail deer, eastern wild turkey, and black bear.

Peck Ranch Conservation Area
Current River Uplands | 23,763 Acres

Peck Ranch Conservation Area

Located in Carter and Shannon counties, Peck Ranch was the epicenter of Missouri's successful elk restoration program. Encompassing rugged forested hills, glades, and streams, it offers premier archery and firearm hunting for restored elk (by special permit), whitetail deer, and wild turkey.

Grand Pass Conservation Area
Missouri River Floodplain | 5,301 Acres

Grand Pass Conservation Area

Situated along the Missouri River in Saline County. A legendary stopover on the Mississippi Flyway, featuring managed wetland pools, smartweed, and flooded corn that attract hundreds of thousands of mallards and pintails for premier morning waterfowl hunting.

Fountain Grove Conservation Area
Grand River Basin | 7,154 Acres

Fountain Grove Conservation Area

Located in Livingston and Linn counties, Fountain Grove is Missouri's oldest wetland conservation area (1947). Features managed marsh pools and bottomland timber supporting outstanding public duck hunting, whitetail deer, and wild turkeys.

Whetstone Creek Conservation Area
Callaway County Prairie & Forest | 5,147 Acres

Whetstone Creek Conservation Area

Located in Callaway County, combining restored native tallgrass prairie, crop fields, and oak-hickory timber. Managed intensively for small game, providing excellent public hunting for bobwhite quail, mourning dove, rabbits, and trophy whitetail deer.