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Conservation area · 2026-27
Rose Pond Conservation Area hunting guide
What MDC publishes about this conservation area in Clark County, in one page.
Photo: USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Getting to Rose Pond Conservation Area
Rose Pond Conservation Area: acres, manager and game
The record gives Rose Pond Conservation Area 382 acres in Clark County. Of 7 conservation areas in Clark County, Rose Pond Conservation Area is number 5 by acreage. It belongs to the Fabius River management district, MDC Northeast Region.
Other uses MDC lists for Rose Pond Conservation Area: camping (designated camping sites) and fishing (white bass, sunfish, catfish, crappie).
From the MDC area description: This 379-acre area consists mostly of bottomlands associated with Honey Creek, which empties into the Mississippi River. Approximately 38 acres are marshland. Rose Pond is believed to be a very small remnant of a once extensive marsh system associated with the mouth of the Des Moines River. A deep, sandy soil found here is assumed to have been deposited by the Des Moines River. Sand prairies were once found here and are now being restored. Rose Pond Conservation Area was purchased as critical habitat for several wetland species. The management emphasis encourages healthy populations of wetland wildlife and provides permanent emergent marsh habitat while offering the public compatible outdoor recreational opportunities. As part of the amphibian and reptile management regime, pooled water on the area is fishless. The best fishing opportunities lie within Honey Creek.
Game species: Deer, Turkey, Dove, Quail, Waterfowl.
From the agency record (Missouri Department of Conservation); checked October 29, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Rose Pond Conservation Area
Neighbors of Rose Pond Conservation Area on the map
Count on Great River NWR (Missouri portion) as the first fallback, 1.4 mi southeast of Rose Pond Conservation Area.
| Public land | Type | Acres | County | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great River NWR (Missouri portion) | Wildlife refuge | 2,786 | Clark, Pike | 1.4 mi | southeast |
| Frost Island CA | Conservation area | 1,233 | Clark | 8.0 mi | north |
| Wyaconda Crossing CA | Conservation area | 148 | Lewis | 11 mi | southwest |
| William E. Crawford CA | Conservation area | 88 | Clark | 13 mi | northwest |
| Neeper CA | Conservation area | 315 | Clark | 13 mi | west |
| Sunnyside School Access | Public access area | 120 | Lewis | 17 mi | south |
| Fox Valley Lake CA | Conservation area | 2,158 | Clark | 18 mi | northwest |
| Deer Ridge CA | Conservation area | 7,185 | Lewis | 20 mi | southwest |
Points: MDC Conservation Area Centroids layer (https://gisblue.mdc.mo.gov/arcgis/rest/services/Discover_Nature/MDC_Administrative_Areas/FeatureServer/4). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Rose Pond Conservation Area hunting methods
Rose Pond Conservation Area follows statewide seasons with the area limits shown here.
| Game | Methods | Note |
|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | Archery and firearms | Allowed |
| Wild Turkey | Archery and firearms | Nontoxic shot |
| Northern Bobwhite Quail | Statewide methods | – |
| Mourning Dove | Statewide methods | Nontoxic for doves |
| Ducks | Open Hunting | Nontoxic shot |
What the Code adds for Rose Pond Conservation Area
- Nontoxic shot is required for all hunting with a shotgun on this area. Use or possession of lead shot is prohibited.
MDC allows archery and firearms for deer on Rose Pond Conservation Area; antlerless permits may be used. Turkey hunters may use archery and firearms here. Rose Pond Conservation Area shows code A in the booklet, antlerless permits allowed. Every shotgun shell used on Rose Pond Conservation Area must be nontoxic. The deer hunting quick view is the list that counts for MDC areas, and Rose Pond Conservation Area appears on it.
Sources: area page, area regulations, deer quick view; booklet table: 2026 Fall Deer and Turkey booklet, pp. 42-55. Checked October 29, 2026.
Calendar of hunts for Rose Pond Conservation Area
Rose Pond Conservation Area gets 20 dated rows once the Clark County calendar is trimmed to its game list.
| Game | Segment | Where | Starts | Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery, first part | Statewide | Sep 15, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, early antlerless | Antlerless county | Oct 9, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, early youth | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, November | Statewide | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 24, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery, second part | Statewide | Nov 25, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, late youth | Statewide | Nov 27, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, late antlerless | Antlerless county | Dec 5, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, alternative methods | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 5, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall archery | Statewide | Sep 15, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall firearms | Open county | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall archery, part 2 | Statewide | Nov 25, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Youth quail | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Quail | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| Doves | Dove season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Teal | September teal | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl | Youth waterfowl days | North Zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Ducks and coots | Regular ducks | North Zone | Oct 31, 2026 | Dec 29, 2026 | |
| Early Canada goose | Early Canada goose | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | Statewide | Nov 11, 2026 | Feb 6, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Conservation order | Statewide | Feb 7, 2027 | Apr 30, 2027 |
Rabbits may be hunted sunrise to sunset; trapping seasons are on the species pages.
From the 2026 Fall Deer and Turkey booklet, the 2026-2027 waterfowl digest and the 2026 hunting and trapping summary (Missouri Department of Conservation); checked October 29, 2026. All Missouri seasons.
Rose Pond Conservation Area dove ground
Dove hunters will find Rose Pond Conservation Area on the MDC dove area list. Dove loads must be nontoxic here. Missouri dove dates are Sep 1, 2026 to Nov 29, 2026.
MDC 2026 dove field layer and Dove Management Areas; checked October 29, 2026.
Waterfowl at Rose Pond Conservation Area
MDC lists Rose Pond Conservation Area as open waterfowl hunting, with no reservation or draw. North Zone dates apply to Rose Pond Conservation Area per the 2021-2025 layer; read the digest for the new line wording. No lead shot for ducks, geese or coots.
| Segment | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Youth waterfowl days | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 |
| Regular ducks | Oct 31, 2026 | Dec 29, 2026 |
2026-2027 Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Digest, managed areas; area page; checked October 29, 2026.
Which county rules govern Rose Pond Conservation Area
| Rule | Clark County |
|---|---|
| Firearms antlerless limit | 4 deer |
| Antlerless portions | Open |
| CWD sampling Nov. 14-15 | No |
| Feed and mineral ban | Yes |
| Share the Harvest CWD test | Required |
| Fall firearms turkey | Open |
| Dogs, November portion | No rule |
| Elk county | No |
| Bear zone | None |
| Duck zone | North |
Missouri sets deer rules county by county, so Rose Pond Conservation Area follows Clark County: up to 4 antlerless deer on firearms permits. Clark County opens for both antlerless portions this year. Clark County is one of 85 counties with the year-round feed and mineral ban. MDC retired the CWD portion, its management zone and the antler-point restriction for 2026.
2026 Fall Deer and Turkey booklet county rules, MDC CWD rules and 2026 bear digest; checked October 29, 2026.
Rose Pond Conservation Area town and service list
Wayland lies closest, about 5.4 mi as the crow flies. Kahoka counts 1,973 residents, more than any other town listed. How MDC says to drive in: From Wayland, take Highway 27/61 south 7 miles, then Route F east 2.50 miles, then Route P north 2 miles, then on gravel road 317west 0.25 miles, then on gravel road 304north 0.50 miles. Need MDC staff? Hannibal Office in Hannibal is 43 mi out.
| Nearest towns | County | Population | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayland | Clark | 417 | 5.4 mi | northwest |
| St. Francisville | Clark | – | 8.2 mi | northwest |
| Kahoka | Clark | 1,973 | 13 mi | northwest |
| Medill | Clark | – | 15 mi | northwest |
| Williamstown | Lewis | – | 16 mi | southwest |
Towns from places.json (Census 2024); offices and businesses from services.json (MDC offices and business listings, chain stores and permit vendors left out); straight-line miles. Checked October 29, 2026.
Rose Pond Conservation Area: deer, turkey and CWD by year
County figures, the smallest unit MDC publishes.
The county total for 2025 was 2,750 deer (1,243 antlered bucks), the closest MDC figure for Rose Pond Conservation Area. 26 public-land birds out of 401 in spring 2026, Clark County. 7 positive deers in Clark County in the sample years shown; CWD was first found there in 2023-2024.
| Permit year | Antlered bucks | Button bucks | Does | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,243 | 233 | 1,274 | 2,750 |
| 2024 | 1,235 | 232 | 1,283 | 2,750 |
| 2023 | 1,278 | 227 | 1,202 | 2,707 |
| 2022 | 1,292 | 192 | 1,141 | 2,625 |
| 2021 | 1,160 | 186 | 913 | 2,259 |
| 2020 | 1,246 | 190 | 1,004 | 2,440 |
| Year | Spring harvest | Public land share | Youth weekend | Fall firearms | Fall archery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 401 | 26 | 56 | – | – |
| 2025 | 366 | 30 | 54 | 3 | 10 |
| 2024 | 367 | 26 | 40 | 4 | 6 |
| 2023 | 331 | 33 | 24 | 2 | 21 |
| 2022 | 305 | – | 36 | 8 | 17 |
| 2021 | 256 | – | 23 | 2 | 21 |
| Season | Tested | Positives |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 16 | 0 |
| 2025 | 522 | 2 |
| 2024 | 715 | 4 |
| 2023 | 205 | 1 |
| 2022 | 608 | 0 |
| 2021 | 510 | 0 |
MDC 2025 deer harvest summary, MDC turkey harvest summaries and MDC CWD dashboard; earlier years from the yearly reports. Checked October 29, 2026.
First and last shooting light in Rose Pond Conservation Area
The times below start from the MDC Jefferson City table and subtract 3 minutes for Rose Pond Conservation Area, as the booklet directs.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer, bear, elk | Ducks, doves, geese |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2026 | Dove opener | 6:36 a.m. | 7:37 p.m. | 6:06 a.m. to 8:07 p.m. | 6:06 a.m. to 7:37 p.m. |
| Sep 15, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:48 a.m. | 7:15 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Fall firearms turkey | 7:03 a.m. | 6:49 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. to 7:19 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. to 6:49 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Middle Zone ducks | 6:40 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. | 6:10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. | 6:10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | November firearms opener | 6:48 a.m. | 4:54 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 5:24 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 4:54 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Alternative methods | 7:23 a.m. | 4:52 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. to 4:52 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Archery close | 7:23 a.m. | 5:10 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. to 5:40 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. |
Hours rule and the Jefferson City sunrise and sunset table from the MDC Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Digest (same table in the Fall Deer and Turkey booklet), adjusted 1 minute per 13.5 miles east or west as MDC directs; checked October 29, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Missouri scenes for Rose Pond Conservation Area
Rose Pond Conservation Area hunters: public range and clubs
From Rose Pond Conservation Area, Fox Valley Lake CA range is the nearest MDC or other public range (18 miles). Nearby gun clubs fill the other cards.
From MDC area pages and the MDC Shooting Ranges layer, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 29, 2026.
Rose Pond Conservation Area questions with sourced answers
Is Rose Pond Conservation Area open for hunting this season?
Yes. MDC lists deer, turkey, dove, quail and waterfowl on Rose Pond Conservation Area, and it is on the deer list.
Is Rose Pond Conservation Area archery only for deer?
Plan on archery and firearms. Antlerless permits are allowed.
What is the antlerless limit for Rose Pond Conservation Area?
Clark County sets a firearms antlerless fill limit of 4, and its antlerless portions are open.
Does the feed ban cover Rose Pond Conservation Area?
For Clark County, sampling is not required and the feed ban applies.
What turkey rules apply on Rose Pond Conservation Area?
Turkey methods: archery and firearms. Fall firearms turkey (Oct. 1-31) is open in Clark County.
Is duck hunting allowed on Rose Pond Conservation Area?
Yes: open hunting, North Zone season dates.
How long is the legal day at Rose Pond Conservation Area in mid-November?
From 6:17 a.m. until 5:23 p.m. on Nov. 14, by the MDC table with the longitude correction.
Closest public alternatives to Rose Pond Conservation Area?
The three nearest: Great River NWR (Missouri portion) (1.4 mi), Frost Island Conservation Area (8.0 mi) and Wyaconda Crossing Conservation Area (11 mi).
Where do I buy gas near Rose Pond Conservation Area?
About 5.4 mi to Wayland.
How large an area is Rose Pond Conservation Area?
Roughly 382 acres, looked after by Missouri Department of Conservation.
Rose Pond Conservation Area hours and camping?
MDC lists camping.
What paperwork covers a hunt at Rose Pond Conservation Area?
Buy the matching Missouri permit (Missouri calls them permits); waterfowl also need the federal duck stamp.
Leaving for Rose Pond Conservation Area?
Missouri sells permits, not licenses: buy the right one before you hunt Rose Pond Conservation Area, and wear hunter orange in the firearms portions.
Sources: source · source · source · source · source; regulations from the 2026 Fall Deer and Turkey booklet. Checked October 29, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Jacob Norlund (CC BY 2.0); David Wilson (CC BY 2.0); born1945 (CC BY 2.0).