Home › Missouri › Counties › Phelps County
2026-27 county rules
Phelps County Hunting
A Ozark Region county guide to Phelps County: county deer rules, 2025 harvest of 2,723 deer, spring turkey numbers, managed hunts, conservation areas and services near Rolla.
Photo: Heath Cajandig (CC BY 2.0)
Phelps County deer and county rules for 2026-27
Measured by the Census Bureau, Phelps County holds 672 land square miles, and Rolla hosts county government. Some 45,672 people call it home by the 2024 estimate, +2.3% against 2020. Hunters may fill up to 4 deer on firearms antlerless permits in Phelps County across all firearms portions combined. The early and late antlerless portions both include Phelps County this year. Grain, salt, minerals and other deer feed are banned year-round in Phelps County, one of the 85 feed-ban counties. Share the Harvest takes Phelps County deer only after a CWD test. The CWD Management Zone that covered Phelps County through 2025-26 is gone, along with the CWD portion.
| Rule | Setting | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 3 / 2 | 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 |
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.
Phelps County Telecheck history
Hunters Telechecked 2,723 deer in Phelps County in the 2025 permit year: 1,403 antlered bucks, 220 button bucks and 1,100 does. Against 2024 (2,384 deer) the change was +14%. Highlighted on the chart: 2015, the top year at 3,114; 2016 was the weakest at 2,311. Among the 114 counties MDC reports, Phelps County placed 51st in 2025. Bowhunters checked 502 deer, about 18% of the county total, while November firearms hunters took 1,560.
| Permit year | Antlered bucks | Button bucks | Does | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,403 | 220 | 1,100 | 2,723 |
| 2024 | 1,135 | 215 | 1,034 | 2,384 |
| 2023 | 1,322 | 310 | 1,362 | 2,994 |
| 2022 | 1,057 | 295 | 1,186 | 2,538 |
| 2021 | 1,253 | 330 | 1,356 | 2,939 |
| 2020 | 1,010 | 303 | 1,068 | 2,381 |
| 2019 | 1,360 | 362 | 1,388 | 3,110 |
| 2018 | 1,000 | 333 | 1,073 | 2,406 |
| 2017 | 1,190 | 443 | 1,440 | 3,073 |
| 2016 | 948 | 293 | 1,070 | 2,311 |
| 2015 | 1,193 | 398 | 1,523 | 3,114 |
How Phelps County deer were taken, by portion
| Portion | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | 476 | 502 |
| Early youth | 143 | 186 |
| Early antlerless | 64 | 64 |
| Opening weekend* | 526 | 740 |
| November portion | 1,414 | 1,560 |
| CWD portion | 128 | 155 |
| Late youth | 14 | 15 |
| Late antlerless | 79 | 153 |
| Alternative methods | 66 | 88 |
| Managed hunts | — | 0 |
Harvest density in Phelps County was 4.2 deer per square mile in 2025; the Ozark Region averaged 4.6.
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.
Special hunts and zones around Phelps County
Bear season reach in Phelps County
MDC issued 2,000 bear permits statewide for 2026 with a 60-bear quota; Phelps County falls in Zone 2 and 3.
| Zone | Share of county | Permits 2026 | Quota 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | 64% | 250 | 8 |
| Zone 2 | 36% | 750 | 22 |
| Year | Statewide bears |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 9 |
Phelps County waterfowl zone
MDC's 2021-2025 zone layer shows the Middle Zone over Phelps County; the 2026-2030 boundaries shifted a little.
| Season | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Ducks, split 1 | Middle | Nov 7–Dec 13 |
| Ducks, split 2 | Middle | Dec 19–Jan 10 |
MDC lists no managed deer hunt inside Phelps County this season; the nearest counties with one are Miller, Cole and Camden.
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.
Phelps County dates by species for 2026-27
The list covers hunting seasons only; trapping-only rows and falconry dates for Phelps County are on the species pages.
| Quarry | Hunt | Applies | Begins | Ends | Open 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 2 | Bear zone 2 | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| 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.
Phelps County gobblers, fall birds and CWD samples
MDC counted 559 spring turkeys from Phelps County in 2026. The top spring in the table is 2025, with 809 turkeys. Autumn 2025 saw 43 turkeys checked in Phelps County. The spring 2027 booklet was not yet released, and fall 2026 numbers come after the season.
| Season year | Youth spring | Regular spring | Fall guns | Fall bows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 53 | 559 | — | — |
| 2025 | 49 | 809 | 26 | 17 |
| 2024 | 45 | 694 | 41 | 15 |
| 2023 | 42 | 770 | 48 | 29 |
| 2022 | 57 | 560 | 30 | 35 |
| 2021 | 61 | 659 | 52 | 40 |
| 2020 | 35 | 593 | 33 | 26 |
| 2019 | 31 | 607 | 58 | 50 |
| 2018 | 23 | 523 | 34 | 17 |
| 2017 | 57 | 608 | 81 | 73 |
| 2016 | 39 | 641 | 51 | 20 |
CWD testing in Phelps County
The dashboard lists 1,513 Phelps County samples and 0 positive results. The MDC list shows no CWD case in Phelps County so far.
| Year | Samples | Detections |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | 4 | 0 |
| 2025-26 | 139 | 0 |
| 2024-25 | 529 | 0 |
| 2023-24 | 142 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | 90 | 0 |
| 2021-22 | 176 | 0 |
| 2020-21 | 120 | 0 |
| 2019-20 | 137 | 0 |
| 2018-19 | 62 | 0 |
| 2017-18 | 77 | 0 |
| 2016-17 | 37 | 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.
Phelps County public ground and acreage
Woodson K. Woods Memorial Conservation Area (5,738 acres) heads the list of 4 public areas in Phelps County. The layers show 67,859 public acres in Phelps County (15.8% of land). Forest Service ownership in the county comes to roughly 64,493 acres. Closed to hunting: 7 other places.
| Name and type | Size (ac) | Deer rule | Does | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodson K. Woods Memorial CA · Conservation area | 5,738 | Archery only | antlerless OK | — |
| Bohigian CA · Conservation area | 437 | Archery and firearms | antlerless OK | — |
| Little Prairie CA · Conservation area | 342 | Archery only | antlerless OK | 2 dove fields |
| Beaver Creek CA · Conservation area | 157 | Archery only | antlerless OK | — |
Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District (Mark Twain National Forest) · Mark Twain National Forest
Neighbouring public ground
- R. F. Clement Memorial Forest and Wildlife Area8 miles · 520 ac · Dent County
- Gerhild and Graham Brown CA15 miles · 189 ac · Dent County
- Clifty Creek Natural Area16 miles · 230 ac · Maries County
- Clifty Creek CA16 miles · 256 ac · Maries County
- Gasconade Hills CA17 miles · 371 ac · Pulaski County
- White River Trace CA17 miles · 2,044 ac · Dent 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.
Phelps County MDC office and businesses
MDC runs the Ozark Region, including Phelps County, from West Plains. Nearest public MDC office: Camdenton Office, 55 miles out.
Phelps County base towns
Phelps County hunting trade listings
Ranked by county first, then neighbours, by straight-line distance.
Bordering county guides
- Crawford CountySt. Louis
- Dent CountyOzark
- Gasconade CountyCentral
- Maries CountyCentral
- Pulaski CountyOzark
- Texas CountyOzark
Offices from MDC offices open to the public; services from MDC lists and directories as tagged; towns from Census 2024. Checked October 29, 2026.
Phelps County event calendar and placings
Within the county lines: 2 upcoming events (hunter education skills session and trapping clinic), checked October 29, 2026.
Next on the calendar
| Dates | What | Place | Next step | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 9–10, 2027 | Trapping: Beginners Trapping Clinic · trapping clinic | Maramec Spring Hatchery — St. James | Register | Source |
| Mar 9, 2027 | Hunter Education Skills Session (St. James HED Skills Session) · hunter education skills session | St. James Community Hall — Phelps County | Register | Source |
Phelps County ranges, clubs and shoots
The guide lists 3 ranges in Phelps County; Beaver Creek Conservation Area Archery Range is on MDC land.
Dates in this county
| Day and event | Discipline | Enter |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 7-8, 2026 | Gun show | Calendar |
Ranges from MDC area pages and its Shooting Ranges layer, the operators’ own sites and directory listings, checked October 29, 2026.
Legal hours for Phelps County
The rows below shift MDC's Jefferson City times by -2 minutes for the centre of Phelps County.
| When | Event | Rise | Set | Big game | Birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Phelps County FAQ
Where might a Phelps County hunter drop off a deer for cutting?
Carnivores Meat Market is the first stop on our distance list.
From what time to what time may deer be hunted in Phelps County?
From 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset.
How many antlerless deer can I take on firearms permits in Phelps County?
4 deer across all firearms portions; archery antlerless permits are unlimited.
Is a salt or mineral block for deer legal in Phelps County?
No. Salt and minerals for deer are part of the year-round ban in this county.
Is Phelps County deer harvest trending up or down?
2,723 in 2025, 2,384 in 2024 and 3,114 back in 2015.
Can I hunt turkeys with a bow in fall in Phelps County?
Yes, Sept. 15-Nov. 13 and Nov. 25-Jan. 15 statewide.
Does MDC hold a drawn deer hunt in Phelps County?
No managed deer hunt is set here this season.
May I deer hunt any conservation area in Phelps County?
Deer hunting is allowed only on areas on MDC's list, with methods set area by area as the table shows.
What is the MDC regional phone for Phelps County?
(417) 256-7161 (West Plains).
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.
Phelps County season reminders from the booklet
Carry your permit, notch it right away and Telecheck by 10 p.m.
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).