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The Kansas City metro and the Osage Plains west of the Missouri River bend
Benton County Hunting
Plan a Benton County season from the county row in the 2026 Fall Deer and Turkey booklet: a firearms antlerless fill limit of 4 deer, the the Kansas City metro and the Osage Plains west of the Missouri River bend setting, harvest since 2015 and the public ground inside the line.
Photo: USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Benton County regulations that change by county
The county takes in 704 square miles of land plus 48 under water, run from Warsaw. County population reached 20,614 in the 2024 estimate (+6.3% on 2020). Firearms antlerless permits can be filled up to 4 deer in Benton County during the 2026-27 firearms portions. Firearms antlerless hunting gets two extra windows in Benton County: early October and early December. In Benton County the CWD feed ban rules out grain, salt and mineral licks for deer in every month. A CWD test is required before a Benton County deer can go to Share the Harvest. A Benton County deer killed on Nov. 14 or 15 has to reach a CWD station before the day ends.
| Rule for 2026 | This county | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Firearms antlerless fill limit | 4 deer | All firearms portions |
| Antlerless portions | Open | Oct. 9-11, Dec. 5-13 |
| Mandatory CWD sampling | Nov. 14-15 | Day of harvest |
| Feed and mineral ban | Yes | Year-round |
| Share the Harvest test | Required | Before donating |
| November dog rule | No | November portion, daylight |
| Fall firearms turkey | Open | Oct. 1-31 |
| Elk hunting county | No | Carter, Reynolds, Shannon |
| Black Bear Management Zone | 3 | Oct. 17-30, by permit |
| Waterfowl zone (map layer) | Middle | 2021-2025 layer |
| SE flood closure zone | None | Gauge-based |
| CWD portion | Removed | Gone for 2026 |
| Antler-point restriction | Removed | Gone for 2026 |
Sampling stops in Benton County
| Station | Town | Address | Map |
|---|---|---|---|
| MDC Lost Valley Fish Hatchery | Warsaw | 28232 Hatchery Ave. | Map |
| Cole Camp High School – Football Field Parking Lot | Cole Camp | 500 S. Keeney St. | Map |
County rules from the 2026 Fall Deer and Turkey booklet county table, the Wildlife Code 3 CSR 10-7 (antlerless limits and portions), CWD rules and stations, fall turkey counties, dog rule, bear digest, waterfowl digest. Checked October 29, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Benton County
Deer checked in Benton County by year
Telecheck records show 4,228 deer taken in Benton County during 2025. 2024 had 3,915, so 2025 came in 8% higher. Since 2015 the highest total was 4,842 in 2020, the smallest 3,915 in 2024. Benton County ranked 9th of 114 counties for deer harvest in 2025. The November portion supplied 2,313 of the 2025 deer and archery 887.
| Season | Bucks | Button bucks | Does | Total checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,853 | 431 | 1,944 | 4,228 |
| 2024 | 1,664 | 365 | 1,886 | 3,915 |
| 2023 | 1,979 | 439 | 2,274 | 4,692 |
| 2022 | 1,729 | 416 | 2,003 | 4,148 |
| 2021 | 2,064 | 501 | 2,234 | 4,799 |
| 2020 | 1,979 | 534 | 2,329 | 4,842 |
| 2019 | 1,773 | 448 | 1,846 | 4,067 |
| 2018 | 2,134 | 473 | 1,934 | 4,541 |
| 2017 | 2,127 | 381 | 1,441 | 3,949 |
| 2016 | 1,783 | 476 | 1,829 | 4,088 |
| 2015 | 1,699 | 553 | 1,838 | 4,090 |
Portion totals for Benton County
| Portion | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | 820 | 887 |
| Early youth | 200 | 263 |
| Early antlerless | 128 | 149 |
| Opening weekend* | 1,054 | 1,076 |
| November portion | 2,312 | 2,313 |
| Late youth | 42 | 37 |
| Late antlerless | 250 | 354 |
| Alternative methods | 126 | 177 |
| Managed hunts | 37 | 48 |
MDC's 2025 status report puts Benton County at 6.3 deer per square mile, against 4.5 for the Kansas City Region as a whole.
Telechecked harvest from the MDC 2025 deer harvest summary and earlier deer harvest summaries (2015-2025); density from the 2025 Missouri Deer Season Summary and Population Status Report. Checked October 29, 2026.
Benton County hunts by permit and zone
Managed deer hunts in Benton County
Drawn hunts in Benton County: 3 hunts at Lost Valley Fish Hatchery — Portion of Area Closed to Hunting, Lost Valley Fish Hatchery — Portion of Area Closed to Hunting (Hunters will be accompanied by an MDC-approved mentor during hunt.) and Truman Dam and Reservoir ML (660-438-7317), each with its own dates, method and bag code.
| Hunt | Location | Type | Dates | Drawn | Bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | Lost Valley Fish Hatchery — Portion of Area Closed to Hunting | Archery | Nov. 14–24 | 6 | 2, 1 antlered |
| 112 | Lost Valley Fish Hatchery — Portion of Area Closed to Hunting (Hunters will be accompanied by an MDC-approved mentor during hunt.) | Youth – Shotguns | Nov. 28–29 | 5 | 1 either sex |
| None | Truman Dam and Reservoir ML (660-438-7317) | Disabled hunters – Firearms | Nov. 6–8 | 25 | 2, 1 antlered |
Benton County bear permits and quota
Zone 3 covers Benton County; each zone closes early once its harvest quota is reached.
| Zone | Share of county | Permits 2026 | Quota 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | 100% | 250 | 8 |
| Year | Statewide bears |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 9 |
Duck zone for Benton County
On MDC's zone map layer Benton County falls in the Middle Zone. The lines were redrawn for 2026-2030, so hunters near a boundary should read the digest map.
| Season | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Ducks, split 1 | Middle | Nov 7–Dec 13 |
| Ducks, split 2 | Middle | Dec 19–Jan 10 |
Managed hunts from the 2026 managed deer hunt tables; bear from the 2026 Black Bear Hunting Digest and MDC bear reports; elk from the 2026 Elk Hunting Digest; waterfowl and wetlands from the 2026-2027 Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Digest. Checked October 29, 2026.
Season windows in Benton County
Statewide rows and the county-limited ones that include Benton County are merged here, earliest first within each species.
| Species | Season or portion | Covers | First day | Last day | 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 | |
| Black bear | Bear, zone 3 | Bear zone 3 | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| 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 | |
| Pheasant | Youth pheasant | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Pheasant | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| Rabbits | Rabbit hunting | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Squirrels | Squirrel season | Statewide | May 23, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Woodcock season | Statewide | Oct 18, 2026 | Dec 1, 2026 | |
| 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 | Middle Zone | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Ducks and coots | Ducks, split 1 | Middle Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Ducks and coots | Ducks, split 2 | Middle Zone | Dec 19, 2026 | Jan 10, 2027 | |
| 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 | |
| Coyote | Coyote hunting | Statewide | Jan 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Groundhog | Groundhog | Statewide | May 11, 2026 | Dec 15, 2026 | |
| Bullfrogs and green frogs | Frogging | Statewide | Jun 30, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | |
| Raccoon, opossum, skunk | Hunt and trap, early | Statewide | Aug 1, 2026 | Oct 15, 2026 | |
| Rails | Rail season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Snipe season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Dec 16, 2026 | |
| Crow | Crow season | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 | Mar 3, 2027 | |
| Badger and foxes | Hunting and trapping | Statewide | Nov 15, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting and trapping | Statewide | Nov 15, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon, opossum, skunk | Hunt and trap, main | Statewide | Nov 15, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 |
From the 2026 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations, the 2026-2027 Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Digest and the 2026 hunting and trapping summary (Missouri Department of Conservation), checked October 29, 2026.
Turkey and CWD records for Benton County
The regular spring season in 2026 produced 546 Benton County turkeys, against 611 in 2025. Spring harvest peaked in 2016 (766). Fall 2025 harvest: 28 firearms, 25 archery. Fall 2026 figures are not out yet, and spring 2027 dates had not been published when this page was checked.
| Year | Spring youth | Spring | Fall firearms | Fall archery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 69 | 546 | — | — |
| 2025 | 52 | 611 | 28 | 25 |
| 2024 | 43 | 498 | 15 | 17 |
| 2023 | 28 | 547 | 29 | 18 |
| 2022 | 33 | 390 | 13 | 23 |
| 2021 | 28 | 401 | 19 | 22 |
| 2020 | 30 | 421 | 30 | 34 |
| 2019 | 36 | 484 | 23 | 26 |
| 2018 | 20 | 542 | 15 | 24 |
| 2017 | 47 | 599 | 22 | 32 |
| 2016 | 50 | 766 | 44 | 32 |
Benton County deer tested for CWD
Testing in Benton County totals 2,266 samples in the dashboard years and 0 CWD detections. CWD has not been detected in Benton County on the MDC record.
| Sample year | Deer tested | CWD found |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | 10 | 0 |
| 2025-26 | 128 | 0 |
| 2024-25 | 127 | 0 |
| 2023-24 | 141 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | 79 | 0 |
| 2021-22 | 141 | 0 |
| 2020-21 | 164 | 0 |
| 2019-20 | 132 | 0 |
| 2018-19 | 133 | 0 |
| 2017-18 | 1,126 | 0 |
| 2016-17 | 85 | 0 |
Turkey harvest from the MDC 2026 turkey harvest summary and earlier turkey harvest summaries; CWD from the MDC CWD sampling results layers and the MDC CWD page. Checked October 29, 2026.
Benton County land open to the public
Hunters can choose from 13 areas in Benton County, and Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area is the biggest with 3,612 acres. Public ownership covers some 61,870 acres, near 13.7% of the land area. 1 more public place in Benton County is not open to hunters.
| Public area | Acres | Deer hunting | Antlerless | Also |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Buffalo Creek CA · Conservation area | 3,612 | Archery and firearms | antlerless OK | — |
| Truman Reservoir Management Lands (Brush Creek) · Corps lake land (MDC) | 3,201 | Archery and firearms | antlerless OK | — |
| Truman Reservoir Management Lands (Little Pomme de Terre) · Corps lake land (MDC) | 2,238 | Archery and firearms | antlerless OK | — |
| Truman Reservoir Management Lands (Little Tebo Creek) · Corps lake land (MDC) | 1,708 | Archery and firearms | antlerless OK | — |
| Lost Valley Fish Hatchery · Fish hatchery | 969 | Archery only | antlerless OK | 2 managed hunts |
| Hi Lonesome Prairie CA · Conservation area | 655 | Muzzleloader, archery | archery antlerless | — |
| Mora CA · Conservation area | 601 | Archery and firearms | archery antlerless | — |
| Granny's Acres CA · Conservation area | 351 | Archery and firearms | antlerless OK | — |
| Ionia Ridge CA · Conservation area | 233 | Muzzleloader, archery | archery antlerless | — |
| Brickley Hollow CA · Conservation area | 186 | Archery only | antlerless OK | — |
| Edmonson Access · Public access | 110 | Archery only | antlerless OK | — |
| Mount Hulda Towersite · Towersite | 38 | Muzzleloader, archery | antlerless OK | — |
| Harry S. Truman Lake (Corps) · Corps lake | — | — | — | 1 managed hunt |
Public areas past the Benton County border
- Carpenter Memorial CA12 miles · 366 ac · Morgan County
- Truman Reservoir Management Lands (Leesville)12 miles · 1,808 ac · Henry County
- Wigwam School Access16 miles · 78 ac · Morgan County
- Drovers Prairie CA16 miles · 80 ac · Pettis County
- Truman Reservoir Management Lands (Cedar Creek)17 miles · 670 ac · Henry County
- Friendly Prairie CA17 miles · 40 ac · Pettis County
Areas from our Missouri land list (MDC area pages and the MDC area deer quick regs, USFS, USFWS, Corps and NPS records); acres by kind from MDC, USFS, USFWS, PAD-US and NPS GIS layers (GIS measures, not official acreages); MRAP from the MDC MRAP program. Checked October 29, 2026.
Getting help in Benton County
Regional staff for Benton County work out of Lees Summit ((816) 622-0900). Clinton Office in Clinton is the nearest public MDC office, 27 miles away in a straight line.
Where to stay in Benton County
- Warsawpop. 2,337 · seat
- Bent Tree HarborCDP
- White BranchCDP
Benton County hunting businesses
Each listing shows its source tag; hours change in deer season, so phone first.
Next to Benton County
- Camden CountyCentral
- Henry CountyKansas City
- Hickory CountySouthwest
- Morgan CountyCentral
- Pettis CountyKansas City
- St. Clair CountyKansas City
Offices from MDC offices open to the public; services from MDC lists and directories as tagged; towns from Census 2024. Checked October 29, 2026.
Hunting events held in Benton County
Booked inside the county: 2 upcoming events, namely deer hide and bone workshop and youth managed deer hunt.
Upcoming here
| When | Listing | Venue | Tickets or seats | Read at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 28–29, 2026 | Lost Valley Fish Hatchery Youth Managed Deer Hunt 2026 · youth managed deer hunt | Event details | Source | |
| Dec 11, 2026 | Game Utilization: First Steps in Buckskin Leather · deer hide and bone workshop | Lost Valley Fish Hatchery — Warsaw | Register | Source |
Benton County sight-in spots and shoot dates
The Barns LLC is the closest listed range to Benton County, 19 miles from its centre.
Without a club card, Benton County shooters can use Golden Valley Archery Range (Clinton Office) in Henry County, 27 miles out. Hours
Local shoot calendar
| Date, shoot | Format | Page |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 6-7, 2026 | Gun show | Listing |
| Jan 22-23, 2027 | Gun show | Listing |
| May 14-15, 2027 | Gun show | Listing |
Ranges from MDC area pages and its Shooting Ranges layer, the operators’ own sites and directory listings, checked October 29, 2026.
Benton County hunting hours on key dates
Big game hours in Benton County start 30 minutes before sunrise and end 30 minutes after sunset; migratory birds and fall firearms turkey stop at sunset.
| Date | Why it matters | Sunrise | Sunset | Big game legal | Waterfowl legal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2026 | Dove opener | 6:42 a.m. | 7:43 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 8:13 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 7:43 p.m. |
| Sep 15, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:54 a.m. | 7:21 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 7:51 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 7:21 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Fall firearms turkey | 7:09 a.m. | 6:55 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 7:25 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 6:55 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Middle Zone ducks | 6:46 a.m. | 5:06 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 5:36 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 5:06 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | November firearms opener | 6:54 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Alternative methods | 7:29 a.m. | 4:58 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 5:28 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 4:58 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Archery close | 7:29 a.m. | 5:16 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 5:46 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 5:16 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.
Benton County, answered
Which meat processor is the shortest drive from Benton County?
Jackman's Meat Processing, by straight-line distance.
Who do I call about poaching in Benton County?
Operation Game Thief or the MDC regional office.
How many deer can a resident hunter take in Benton County?
Two antlered deer in total (only one in firearms portions), plus antlerless deer within the 4 deer county firearms limit and unlimited archery antlerless permits.
Are Sunday hunts legal in Benton County?
Yes. Missouri sets no Sunday limit on hunting.
How many antlered bucks did Benton County hunters Telecheck in 2025?
1,853, plus 431 button bucks.
Does the deer feed ban cover Benton County?
Yes. It is one of 85 counties where grain, salt and minerals for deer are banned all year.
Are rabbit dogs allowed in Benton County during the November portion?
Yes. The November dog rule names other counties.
When is spring turkey season 2027 in Benton County?
MDC had not published the spring 2027 dates when this page was checked.
Which public area in Benton County has the most acres?
Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area, 3,612 acres.
Answers from the 2026 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations, the county rules table, the hunter orange rule, Telecheck rules, MDC harvest summaries and the sources above. Checked October 29, 2026.
Last details for a Benton County outing
Dates on this page cover 2026-27 only; a new booklet comes out each summer.
Sources: 2026 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations, MDC hunting, Census and the sources in each section. Checked October 29, 2026.
Other photos on this page: ShenandoahNPS (Public domain).