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Conservation area · Kansas City Region
Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area, a hunter guide
Conservation area in Benton County and 1 neighboring county, 3,612 acres, MDC Kansas City Region.
Photo: USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Getting to Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area
Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area basics
At 3,612 acres, Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area is part of the public ground of Benton and Morgan counties. Among the 6 conservation areas of Benton County, it sits 1st for acres. The Lone Buffalo district (MDC Kansas City Region) handles habitat work on Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area.
The atlas entry for Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area also shows trails (biking, horseback, hiking), camping (individual campsites), dog training and fishing (sunfish, catfish, black bass).
MDC describes the area this way: Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area is in east-central Benton and west-central Morgan counties. This 3,612-acre, mostly forested area contains a 6-acre fishing pond, three springs and 3.0 miles of Big Buffalo Creek. Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area was acquired in 1964 with Sport Fish Restoration Funds for the purposes of fisheries research in the hatchery ponds and for smallmouth bass habitat research on Big Buffalo Creek. Stream-flow dynamics research is still on-going, but all original fisheries research projects have finished. Currently, the area is managed for the long-term health and sustainability of the diverse forest resources. Forest management activities that can be observed on the area include timber stand improvement, tree planting, commercial thinning, even-aged and uneven-aged commercial harvests, woodland restoration, and glade/savanna restoration. All of these practices are implemented using best management practices to protect the soil and water resources of the watershed. Management also includes the preservation of several old growth areas.
Hunted here: Deer, Black bear, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel, Waterfowl.
From the agency record (Missouri Department of Conservation); checked October 29, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area
How Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area may be hunted
Read these before a first trip to Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area; posted signs still govern.
| Species | Allowed | Permit note |
|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | Archery and firearms | Allowed |
| Wild Turkey | Archery and firearms | – |
| Black Bear | Archery and firearms | Zone permit |
| Eastern Cottontail | Statewide methods | – |
| Gray Squirrel | Statewide methods | – |
| Ducks | Open Hunting | Nontoxic shot |
Code rules for Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area
- Unless otherwise posted, bicycles, including electric bicycles as defined in the Missouri Wildlife Code ( Chapter 20- Definitions) , are allowed on roads open to vehicular traffic and service roads (designated in the online conservation atlas). Bicycles must stay on roads open to vehicular traffic or service roads, or on multi-use trails posted as open to bicycles. Bicycle use is not allowed on service roads passing through designated natural areas (designated in the online conservation atlas). Groups of 10 or more people using bicycles on a department area must obtain a special use permit.
- This department area also has multi-use trails open to equestrian use. Horses may be used year-round on multi-use trails designated as open to equestrian uses.
The deer rule for Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area is archery and firearms, and antlerless permits may be used here. The turkey rule on Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area reads archery and firearms. MDC lists black bear on Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area, archery and firearms, for hunters drawn for that zone. In the booklet table Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area carries antlerless code A: antlerless permits allowed. Listed or not matters on MDC ground: Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area is on the deer list.
Sources: area page, area regulations, deer quick view; booklet table: 2026 Fall Deer and Turkey booklet, pp. 42-55. Checked October 29, 2026.
Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area duck rules
No draw is needed for ducks on Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area; it is open hunting. Use Middle Zone dates for Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area, but check the digest if you hunt close to a zone line. Federal law makes nontoxic shot mandatory for waterfowl.
| Season | Start | End |
|---|---|---|
| Youth waterfowl days | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 |
| Ducks, split 1 | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
| Ducks, split 2 | Dec 19, 2026 | Jan 10, 2027 |
2026-2027 Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Digest, managed areas; area page; checked October 29, 2026.
County deer rules for Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area
| Topic | Benton County | Morgan County |
|---|---|---|
| Firearms antlerless limit | 4 deer | 4 deer |
| Antlerless portions | Open | Open |
| CWD sampling Nov. 14-15 | Mandatory | No |
| Feed and mineral ban | Yes | Yes |
| Share the Harvest CWD test | Required | Required |
| Fall firearms turkey | Open | Open |
| Dogs, November portion | No rule | No rule |
| Elk county | No | No |
| Bear zone | Zone 3 | Zone 3 |
| Duck zone | Middle | Middle |
There are no deer units in Missouri; Benton County is the unit for Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area, with a firearms antlerless limit of 4. The early (Oct. 9-11) and late (Dec. 5-13) antlerless portions are open in Benton County. Plan a stop at a sampling station if you tag a deer in Benton County on Nov. 14 or 15. No grain, salt or mineral sites in Benton County: the ban runs all year. For bear, Benton County is in BMZ 3 (250 permits drawn, quota 8). The CWD portion, the CWD Management Zone and the antler-point restriction were removed for 2026. County rules differ across Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area; match your spot to the right column.
- MDC Lost Valley Fish Hatchery, 28232 Hatchery Ave., Warsaw
- Cole Camp High School – Football Field Parking Lot, 500 S. Keeney St., Cole Camp
2026 Fall Deer and Turkey booklet county rules, MDC CWD rules and 2026 bear digest; checked October 29, 2026.
Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area by season
These 21 rows are the 2026-27 seasons that fit Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area and its game list.
| Species | Hunt | Scope | First day | Last day | 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 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 | |
| Rabbits | Rabbit hunting | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Squirrels | Squirrel season | Statewide | May 23, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| 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 |
Youth portions are for hunters 6 to 15 years old.
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.
Harvest numbers near Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area
Totals are for the whole county.
Benton County gave up 4,228 deer in 2025; the table runs back to 2020. In spring 2026, 546 turkeys were checked in Benton County, 90 of them reported from public land. For CWD, Benton County shows 0 positives over the years listed.
| Season | Bucks | Button bucks | Does | County total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Year | Spring | Public | Youth | Fall gun | Fall bow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 546 | 90 | 69 | – | – |
| 2025 | 611 | 97 | 52 | 28 | 25 |
| 2024 | 498 | 75 | 43 | 15 | 17 |
| 2023 | 547 | 84 | 28 | 29 | 18 |
| 2022 | 390 | – | 33 | 13 | 23 |
| 2021 | 401 | – | 28 | 19 | 22 |
| Year | Samples | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 0 |
| 2025 | 128 | 0 |
| 2024 | 127 | 0 |
| 2023 | 141 | 0 |
| 2022 | 79 | 0 |
| 2021 | 141 | 0 |
MDC 2025 deer harvest summary, MDC turkey harvest summaries and MDC CWD dashboard; earlier years from the yearly reports. Checked October 29, 2026.
Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area: the surrounding public ground
The map pins Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area with the 8 closest public areas, led by Mount Hulda Towersite at 2.4 mi.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | County | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Hulda Towersite | Towersite | 38 | Benton | 2.4 mi | west |
| Carpenter Memorial CA | Conservation area | 366 | Morgan | 4.9 mi | south |
| Wigwam School Access | Public access area | 78 | Morgan | 8.8 mi | south |
| Proctor Towersite | Towersite | 115 | Morgan | 9.3 mi | southeast |
| Edmonson Access | Public access area | 110 | Benton | 9.4 mi | west |
| Brickley Hollow CA | Conservation area | 186 | Benton | 10 mi | southwest |
| Hi Lonesome Prairie CA | Conservation area | 655 | Benton | 12 mi | northwest |
| Hite Prairie CA | Conservation area | 103 | Morgan | 12 mi | east |
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.
Who is nearby at Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area
The short run for gas and food is Stover, 7.1 mi out. 2,693 people live in Versailles, the largest town within reach. Driving route: From Versailles, take Highway 52 west 10 miles, then Route FF south 8 miles to the end of the blacktop, turn on Big Buffalo Road west, and watch for area signs. From Cole Camp, take Route B south 13 miles, then Route WW east to the end of the blacktop. On Big Buffalo Road turn north and go 1.25 miles to the area. MDC permits and advice: Sedalia Office, Sedalia, 25 mi away.
| Town | County | 2024 population | Away | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stover | Morgan | 1,067 | 7.1 mi | northeast |
| Versailles | Morgan | 2,693 | 13 mi | northeast |
| Climax Springs | Camden | – | 18 mi | south |
| White Branch | Benton | – | 18 mi | southwest |
| Warsaw | Benton | 2,337 | 18 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.
Shooting hours in Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area
Sunrise in the Bootheel and in the Kansas City area can be 20 minutes apart, so use the adjusted times for Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area.
| Day | Hunt | Sun up | Sun down | Big game window | Migratory window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area hunters: public range and clubs
Camdenton Conservation Service Center Archery Range (public, free) is 28 miles from Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area. Beside it, two gun clubs within 30 miles.
From MDC area pages and the MDC Shooting Ranges layer, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 29, 2026.
A visual feel for Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area
Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area, quick questions
Which duck zone covers Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area?
Hunt ducks under open hunting; the county is in the Middle Zone.
Can I hunt bear on Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area?
Benton County is in Bear Management Zone 3 (250 permits, quota 8); the area lists bear.
Where is the next public ground after Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area?
Closest public options are Mount Hulda Towersite (2.4 mi), Carpenter Memorial Conservation Area (4.9 mi) and Wigwam School Access (8.8 mi).
First and last shooting light at Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area?
6:24 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for deer on opening day; ducks end at 5:00 p.m..
How large an area is Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area?
In charge: Missouri Department of Conservation. Acres: 3,612.
Town nearest Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area?
Stover, 7.1 mi by straight line.
Permits needed for Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area?
MDC permits by game: Small Game, Archer's, Firearms Any-Deer or Antlerless, Migratory Bird.
Open hours at Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area?
Open 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.. Camping is listed on the area page.
Which weapons are legal for deer at Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area?
Archery and firearms. Antlerless permits are allowed.
Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area: open to hunters?
It is open to hunting: deer, black bear, turkey, rabbit, squirrel and waterfowl, under statewide seasons and the area rules.
Is there mandatory CWD testing near Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area?
Yes, sampling Nov. 14-15, plus the feed and mineral ban.
Are antlerless portions open near Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area?
Up to 4 antlerless deer on firearms permits in Benton County; antlerless portions run in October and December.
Is fall turkey open at Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area?
Archery and firearms for turkey; the October firearms season is open in the county.
Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area: confirm these first
Area rules, closures and managed hunt notices on Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area can change; posted signs and the agency page have the final word.
Sources: source · source · source · source; regulations from the 2026 Fall Deer and Turkey booklet. Checked October 29, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Shenandoah National Park (Public Domain Mark 1.0); USFWS/Southeast (Public domain); USFWS/Southeast (Public domain).