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Southwest Region county guide
Christian County Hunting
Christian County sits in the MDC Southwest Region. This page lists its 2026 deer rules, every dated season, harvest and CWD results by year, its public areas with acres and the offices that serve it.
Photo: David Nichols (CC BY-SA 2.0)
What MDC set for Christian County this season
Ozark anchors Christian County, a county of 563 square miles in the MDC Southwest Region. Census Vintage 2024 counts 96,045 residents, 8.1% more than the April 2020 base. The firearms antlerless fill limit for Christian County is 4 deer for 2026-27; archery antlerless permits are not capped by county. The county is open during the early antlerless portion (Oct. 9-11) and the late antlerless portion (Dec. 5-13). Christian County is inside the 85-county feed and mineral ban, which applies all year. Hunters donating venison from Christian County through Share the Harvest need a CWD test result. Rules tied to the old CWD Management Zone no longer apply in Christian County; MDC dropped the zone for 2026.
| Rule | Christian County | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Firearms antlerless fill limit | 4 deer | All firearms portions |
| Antlerless portions | Open | Oct. 9-11, Dec. 5-13 |
| Mandatory CWD sampling | Not this year | 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 | 1 | Oct. 17-30, by permit |
| Waterfowl zone (map layer) | South | 2021-2025 layer |
| SE flood closure zone | None | Gauge-based |
| CWD portion | Removed | Gone for 2026 |
| Antler-point restriction | Removed | Gone for 2026 |
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.
Christian County deer totals by permit year
Christian County closed out 2025 with 2,458 deer on the Telecheck books, 1,302 of them antlered bucks and 956 does. A year earlier the county logged 2,114, a 16% smaller number. Totals ranged from 1,955 (2019) to 2,695 (2023). Its 2025 total put Christian County 64th statewide out of 114 counties. By portion, 1,234 came in the November firearms days and 585 in archery season.
| Season | Antlered | Buttons | Does | All deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,302 | 200 | 956 | 2,458 |
| 2024 | 1,039 | 183 | 892 | 2,114 |
| 2023 | 1,314 | 225 | 1,156 | 2,695 |
| 2022 | 1,061 | 183 | 976 | 2,220 |
| 2021 | 1,290 | 210 | 982 | 2,482 |
| 2020 | 1,186 | 210 | 958 | 2,354 |
| 2019 | 1,032 | 168 | 755 | 1,955 |
| 2018 | 1,065 | 192 | 870 | 2,127 |
| 2017 | 1,114 | 211 | 966 | 2,291 |
| 2016 | 1,119 | 217 | 842 | 2,178 |
| 2015 | 1,046 | 243 | 881 | 2,170 |
Christian County portion table
| Portion | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | 501 | 585 |
| Early youth | 103 | 153 |
| Early antlerless | 35 | 78 |
| Opening weekend* | 471 | 560 |
| November portion | 1,178 | 1,234 |
| CWD portion | 147 | 179 |
| Late youth | 28 | 25 |
| Late antlerless | 76 | 119 |
| Alternative methods | 46 | 85 |
| Managed hunts | — | 0 |
At 4.6 deer taken per square mile, Christian County ran level with its region (4.6) in 2025.
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.
Christian County draw hunts, bear, elk and ducks
Christian County bear hunting by permit
Christian County is bear country under the 2026 digest: Zone 1, Oct. 17-30, permit by drawing.
| Zone | Share of county | Permits 2026 | Quota 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | 100% | 1,000 | 30 |
| Year | Statewide bears |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 9 |
Which duck zone Christian County is in
Christian County is South Zone country by the GIS layer, but the new 2026-2030 boundary text governs near the line.
| Season | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Ducks, split 1 | South | Nov 26–Nov 29 |
| Ducks, split 2 | South | Dec 7–Jan 31 |
Christian County drew no managed hunt this year, so the closest options sit in Greene, Ozark and Dade counties.
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.
Christian County open and close dates
Each row below is a dated MDC season that applies in Christian County; the status column compares it with today.
| Animal | Season | Area rule | Start | Finish | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 1 | Bear zone 1 | 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 | South Zone | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Ducks and coots | Ducks, split 1 | South Zone | Nov 26, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Ducks and coots | Ducks, split 2 | South Zone | Dec 7, 2026 | Jan 31, 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.
What Christian County turkey and CWD data show
In spring 2026 the county recorded 350 turkeys in the regular season. Looking back to 2016, 2016 had the most spring birds (450). Fall 2025 added 17 firearms and 10 archery turkeys. Spring rows for 2026 are a season already past; spring 2027 dates are still to come from MDC.
| Year | Youth | Spring | Fall firearms | Fall archery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 51 | 350 | — | — |
| 2025 | 59 | 427 | 17 | 10 |
| 2024 | 30 | 369 | 10 | 9 |
| 2023 | 24 | 391 | 10 | 24 |
| 2022 | 20 | 275 | 17 | 19 |
| 2021 | 36 | 314 | 17 | 29 |
| 2020 | 29 | 418 | 16 | 23 |
| 2019 | 35 | 347 | 21 | 30 |
| 2018 | 18 | 350 | 34 | 22 |
| 2017 | 68 | 435 | 41 | 37 |
| 2016 | 53 | 450 | 61 | 32 |
Christian County CWD samples by year
Across the sample years shown, Christian County hunters and staff submitted 2,689 samples; positives number 2. Detections began in 2021-2022.
| Season | Tests | Positives |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | 6 | 0 |
| 2025-26 | 132 | 0 |
| 2024-25 | 144 | 0 |
| 2023-24 | 189 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | 531 | 0 |
| 2021-22 | 633 | 2 |
| 2020-21 | 215 | 0 |
| 2019-20 | 469 | 0 |
| 2018-19 | 82 | 0 |
| 2017-18 | 101 | 0 |
| 2016-17 | 187 | 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.
Where to hunt in Christian County
The table below covers all 1 public hunting areas we list in Christian County. Roughly 53,840 acres, 15.0% of Christian County, are public by GIS measure. Some 51,164 acres are Mark Twain National Forest. 2 additional sites bar hunting and are not listed.
| Area | Acres | Deer | Antlerless | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area · Conservation area | 2,701 | Muzzleloader, archery | antlerless OK | — |
Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs Ranger District (Mark Twain National Forest) · Mark Twain National Forest
Next-door areas for Christian County hunters
- Holland State Forest11 miles · 160 ac · Stone County
- Springfield Conservation Nature Center11 miles · 79 ac · Greene County
- Hayes Spring CA14 miles · 104 ac · Stone County
- The Lewis Family, Dean, Anna Mae and David D. Lewis Memorial CA18 miles · 362 ac · Taney County
- Boston Ferry CA19 miles · 182 ac · Taney County
- Compton Hollow CA21 miles · 831 ac · Webster 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.
MDC offices, towns and services for Christian County
The MDC Southwest Region office is in Springfield, phone (417) 895-6880. MDC offices sell permits; the nearest one to Christian County is in Springfield, about 11 miles off.
Towns near Christian County land
- Ozarkpop. 23,248 · seat
- Spartapop. 1,956
- Saddlebrookepop. 315
- SpokaneCDP
Christian County processors, mounts and gear shops
Share the Harvest and CWD partner tags come from MDC lists; other shops come from business directories.
Christian County adjoining counties
- Douglas CountyOzark
- Greene CountySouthwest
- Lawrence CountySouthwest
- Stone CountySouthwest
- Taney CountySouthwest
- Webster CountySouthwest
Offices from MDC offices open to the public; services from MDC lists and directories as tagged; towns from Census 2024. Checked October 29, 2026.
Christian County: ranges, lanes and trap fields
Christian County has 3 listed ranges, including the MDC range at Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area.
Upcoming here
| When, name | Type | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 21, 2026 | NRL22 rimfire | Enter |
| Dec 19, 2026 | NRL22 rimfire | Enter |
| Jan 16, 2027 | NRL22 rimfire | Enter |
| Feb 20, 2027 | NRL22 rimfire | Enter |
Ranges from MDC area pages and its Shooting Ranges layer, the operators’ own sites and directory listings, checked October 29, 2026.
First and last shooting light in Christian County
Use these Christian County times for the key opening and closing days; rabbits are sunrise to sunset.
| Date | Opener or close | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Christian County questions and short answers
How many fall turkeys were taken in Christian County in 2025?
17 with firearms and 10 with archery.
How many does came out of Christian County in the 2025 season?
956 does, by the MDC county table.
Are there MRAP walk-in tracts in Christian County?
None in this county.
Does the 2026 Missouri bear season reach Christian County?
Yes. Residents drawn for a Zone 1 permit can hunt Oct. 17-30, 2026.
Which processors on this page sit closest to Christian County?
Jnj Meats LLC, Oldfield Packing LLC and P & P Heritage Meats, nearest first; phone before dropping off a deer.
Which of the eight MDC regions takes in Christian County?
The Southwest Region, with its office in Springfield.
What is the firearms antlerless fill limit in Christian County?
4 deer for 2026-27.
Can I use a crossbow in Christian County during archery season?
Yes. Crossbows are legal archery methods.
Is there a confirmed CWD case on record for Christian County?
Yes. MDC records the first positive deer from this county in the 2021-2022 sample year.
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.
Before you hunt Christian County this fall
Where this page and MDC differ, MDC is right.
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: USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain).