Mo. public hunt and camp land

[RLA]

I don't have any good private hunting land left to hunt and have been doing some research about some conservation department land. I live in the SW part of the state but don't mind a long drive for a good spot to hunt deer. So if someone has some good info and could pick any public land in the state, I'm all ears

[DeerSpotter]

I'm on public land here in Minnesota.  And you just have to do a lot of research, and when you find land you can hunt, going deeper than normal.  You get away from the crowds that way.  Learn the trails, and go in early, because a lot of them don't.  Make good kills, so that you take them home, instead of someone else.

I am sure someone from Missouri, that hunts traditional will chime in to give you some help.

Carl

[Toklat1]

Try Wildlife Refuges in Missouri run by the Fish & Wildife Service.

 http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/ByState.cfm?state=MO  

   

[kctreeman]

some pretty good public land close to Nevada, MO.  Three or four rivers conservation area I believe.  Try to contact Marty Horn "Billet head" He is from down that way and maybe of some help.  Also some public land west of rich Hill around some strip pits that looked pretty good last year.

[bowhunterfrompast]

Contact your nearest conservation office for maps and info on local areas or try on the internet at MDC online. There are many bow only areas in the state. In the past I would draw a circle on a MDC map encompassed a 100 mile radius, that way I could be fairly close to home. If you can find an area that looks good and not heavily hunted would be ideal. Also look at what other hunting and activities are allowed on the area.

Good luck. You just can't beat good private hunting land.

[TRAP]

There are 1000s of acres of public hunting along the Missouri River within the Upper, Middle and Lower Management areas.  Contact an MDC office or the US Fish and Wildlife Service for information.  The land is owned by many different public entities and managed by MDC.  Statewide hunting and fishing regulatrions apply.

I'd also look into the Four Rivers Conservation Area if I were you.  It's a huge wetland with alot of opportunities I'm sure.  Other wetlands around the state harbour good numbers of deer and some high quality bucks as well if you are into chasing them.

Good Luck, Trap

[Tyler2045]

There are places over in Shannon county i believe, there is Otter slough towards Dexter, If I was going to be hunting in Mo this year i would offer you a place on the land i hunt up there. It is about 2000 acres we have plenty of room but I wont be there this year.

[mogw99]

RLA,
I work for MDC, I'm a Game Warden in Texas County. PM your address and phone # I'll send you some info. and maps of areas in the Ozark region. I've not only worked this area, but I also grew up here.

I'll also PM you with my contact info.
Jeff

[kennym]

Ryan,theres bout 25000 acres within 50 miles of me in N central MO. Fountain Grove,Yellow creek ,Locust creek,Indian hills?, Union ridge,Mussel Fork,Thomas Hill. All have deer,some are archery only. Should be something on MDOC website about all these,if you can't find anything,holler and I'll try to help ya! Good luck!!

[BMOELLER]

Alot of places on MDC ground north of K.C. that don't get hit hard during bow season.

[swp]

Don't forget about the Corps land along the lakes, they are open to be hunted in most cases also.

[RLA]

Well been doin my homework, and this is what I've learned. I have talked to probably 8 different people that work for the MDC, some in regonal offices and some that work on site at the location I was asking about. I was told Four rivers and Schell osage have alot of hunting pressure and not great deer numbers, also that Bushwhacker lake over closer to the KS. border had a blue tongue outbreak and low deer numbers. I spoke to a man at Grand pass and he said he didn't want to discourage me but not good. I have been on the MDC site and lookin at there maps and the Yellow creek and Fountain grove land might be a good place to start? As for something closer to home maybe Blind pony lake north of sedalia, and I might take a look into Reform in Callaway County. Thanks for the info

[macbow]

RLA, one thing I can tell you about Reform is there are some really good bucks there but hard to pattern. Also there is plenty of bowhunters. There is no camping at Reform.

I recently moved to the Warsaw area and there is plenty of conservation and corps ground near the lakes. I just havent figured them out yet.

The hatchery at Warsaw has bowhunting only for deer and good numbers, but no camping. you have to walk in and out if hunting early or late.

I don't get out and walk as much as I used to but if interested I could get with you and show you what I've learned.
Ron

[kevin braun]

I live in Clinton.
There is a lot of public hunting land with lots of deer and turkey.  they get quite a bit of pressure during the firearms portion, but not too bad early archery.  last year I hunted a mix of public and private land and averaged seeing just over one deer per hour on stand.  I was able to watch deer and turkeys almost everyday I hunted.
let me know if you decide to come up this way for a hunt.

Kevin

[rg176bnc]

Got good and bad news for ya Yellow Creek is under about 5ft of water.  Good news is Grand Pass is a great place to hunt. Theres a guy from Springfield that spends his vacation their every year and has shot no less than 10 nice deer out of their.  Bad part there is some pressure there "archery only" it can all start to look the same down by the river.  Make sure you take a compus, its awful thick in there.

[La. bowhunter]

I have been hunting in northern Missouri for several years now and have had really good success on Locust Creek and Union Ridge. The only problem is there is nowhere to stay that is close. We stay in Kirksville and drive up to hunt before daylight hunt all day and stay in a tent that nite then hunt till noon and drive back and shower and rest for the afternoon. Union Ridge has a campground but it is small and usually full. This area is full of public ground and most of them have good hunting on them.

[kennym]

Ryan,
 There has been high water at several areas up this way,there will still be good hunting at Fountain grove,Indian Creek(poosey st. park)Locust Creek,and Union ridge.
 Scott,there is a fairly new motel along hwy 5&6 at the west side of Milan,don't know what they charge.....