Home › Missouri › Public land › Birch Creek Conservation Area
Conservation area · 2026-27
Birch Creek Conservation Area hunting guide
What MDC publishes about this conservation area in Shannon County, in one page.
Photo: Chris M Morris (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Birch Creek Conservation Area
Birch Creek Conservation Area: acres, manager and game
The record gives Birch Creek Conservation Area 5,646 acres in Shannon County. Of 7 conservation areas in Shannon County, Birch Creek Conservation Area is number 7 by acreage. It belongs to the Scenic Rivers West management district, MDC Ozark Region.
Other uses MDC lists for Birch Creek Conservation Area: camping (open camping – walk-in/float-in/backpack) and trapping (special use permit).
From the MDC area description: Birch Creek Conservation Area is managed with a sustainable ecological approach to multiple-use management. The management goal is to improve the overall health and vigor of the forest, woodland, and glade natural communities indigenous to the landtype association. The management will guide these natural communities to more ecological and biological stable conditions that will enhance productivity and value over time. Management techniques include prescribed fire, invasive species control, planting, selective and regeneration harvests. Other areas are set aside for old-growth habitat, and will not be actively managed by the Department. With 5,645 acres of public land, Birch Creek CA provides for a wide range of outdoor activities. These include nature viewing, bird watching, hiking, dispersed primitive camping, and hunting and fishing opportunities.
Game species: Deer, Black bear, Turkey, Squirrel.
From the agency record (Missouri Department of Conservation); checked October 29, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Birch Creek Conservation Area
Neighbors of Birch Creek Conservation Area on the map
Count on Barn Hollow Natural Area as the first fallback, 13 mi northwest of Birch Creek Conservation Area.
| Public land | Type | Acres | County | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barn Hollow Natural Area | Natural area | 251 | Howell, Texas | 13 mi | northwest |
| Mountain View Towersite | Towersite | 27 | Howell | 14 mi | west |
| Carrick W. Davidson – Robert G. Paris WA | Conservation area | 270 | Howell | 17 mi | southwest |
| Rocky Creek CA | Conservation area | 42,184 | Shannon | 17 mi | northeast |
| Dan and Maureen Cover Memorial WA | Conservation area | 282 | Oregon | 18 mi | south |
| Angeline CA | Conservation area | 39,603 | Shannon | 19 mi | north |
| Doniphan / Eleven Point Ranger District | Ranger district | 338,889 | Oregon, Ripley | 21 mi | southeast |
| Warm Fork CA | Conservation area | 185 | Oregon | 22 mi | south |
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.
Birch Creek Conservation Area hunting methods
Birch Creek 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 | – |
| Black Bear | Archery and firearms | Zone permit |
| Gray Squirrel | Statewide methods | – |
MDC allows archery and firearms for deer on Birch Creek Conservation Area; antlerless permits may be used. Turkey hunters may use archery and firearms here. Bear hunting is listed on Birch Creek Conservation Area (archery and firearms) for permit holders in the right management zone. Birch Creek Conservation Area shows code A in the booklet, antlerless permits allowed. The deer hunting quick view is the list that counts for MDC areas, and Birch Creek 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 Birch Creek Conservation Area
Birch Creek Conservation Area gets 13 dated rows once the Shannon 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 | |
| Black bear | Bear, zone 2 | Bear zone 2 | 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 | |
| Squirrels | Squirrel season | Statewide | May 23, 2026 | Feb 15, 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.
Which county rules govern Birch Creek Conservation Area
| Rule | Shannon County |
|---|---|
| Firearms antlerless limit | 2 deer |
| Antlerless portions | Open |
| CWD sampling Nov. 14-15 | Mandatory |
| Feed and mineral ban | Yes |
| Share the Harvest CWD test | Required |
| Fall firearms turkey | Open |
| Dogs, November portion | No squirrel, rabbit dogs |
| Elk county | Yes |
| Bear zone | Zone 2 |
| Duck zone | South |
Missouri sets deer rules county by county, so Birch Creek Conservation Area follows Shannon County: up to 2 antlerless deer on firearms permits. Shannon County opens for both antlerless portions this year. Opening-weekend deer from Shannon County (Nov. 14-15) must be sampled for CWD. Shannon County is one of 85 counties with the year-round feed and mineral ban. Bear Management Zone 2 covers Shannon County: 750 permits and a 22-bear quota for Oct. 17-30. Elk country: Shannon County is in the elk zone with Carter, Reynolds and Shannon rules. Squirrel and rabbit dogs are off limits in Shannon County during the November portion. MDC retired the CWD portion, its management zone and the antler-point restriction for 2026.
- Eminence Elementary School, 17794 Hwy. 106 , Eminence
- Timber Volunteer Fire Department Shed , 39245 Hwy. 19, Timber
- MDC Twin Pines Conservation Education Center, 20086 Hwy. 60, Winona
2026 Fall Deer and Turkey booklet county rules, MDC CWD rules and 2026 bear digest; checked October 29, 2026.
Birch Creek Conservation Area town and service list
Birch Tree lies closest, about 4.6 mi as the crow flies. Winona counts 988 residents, more than any other town listed. How MDC says to drive in: From Birch Tree, take Highway 99 south 6 miles. Need MDC staff? Twin Pines Conservation Center in Winona is 12 mi out.
| Nearest towns | County | Population | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birch Tree | Shannon | 562 | 4.6 mi | north |
| Montier | Shannon | – | 4.7 mi | northwest |
| Thomasville | Oregon | – | 9.9 mi | south |
| Winona | Shannon | 988 | 12 mi | northeast |
| Eminence | Shannon | 531 | 17 mi | northeast |
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.
Birch Creek Conservation Area: deer, turkey and CWD by year
County figures, the smallest unit MDC publishes.
The county total for 2025 was 3,030 deer (1,388 antlered bucks), the closest MDC figure for Birch Creek Conservation Area. 135 public-land birds out of 237 in spring 2026, Shannon County. 1 positive deer in Shannon County in the sample years shown.
| Permit year | Antlered bucks | Button bucks | Does | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,388 | 279 | 1,363 | 3,030 |
| 2024 | 875 | 199 | 995 | 2,069 |
| 2023 | 1,530 | 358 | 2,258 | 4,146 |
| 2022 | 1,295 | 351 | 1,576 | 3,222 |
| 2021 | 1,615 | 280 | 1,467 | 3,362 |
| 2020 | 1,510 | 324 | 1,409 | 3,243 |
| Year | Spring harvest | Public land share | Youth weekend | Fall firearms | Fall archery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 237 | 135 | 26 | – | – |
| 2025 | 451 | 297 | 33 | 17 | 5 |
| 2024 | 347 | 193 | 17 | 10 | 2 |
| 2023 | 383 | 273 | 17 | 48 | 22 |
| 2022 | 218 | – | 17 | 12 | 7 |
| 2021 | 318 | – | 29 | 13 | 14 |
| Season | Tested | Positives |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 0 |
| 2025 | 444 | 1 |
| 2024 | 363 | 0 |
| 2023 | 158 | 0 |
| 2022 | 55 | 0 |
| 2021 | 62 | 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 Birch Creek Conservation Area
The times below start from the MDC Jefferson City table and subtract 3 minutes for Birch Creek Conservation Area, as the booklet directs.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer, bear, elk | Ducks, doves, geese |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2026 | Dove opener | 6:35 a.m. | 7:36 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. to 8:06 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. to 7:36 p.m. |
| Sep 15, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:47 a.m. | 7:14 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 7:44 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 7:14 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Fall firearms turkey | 7:02 a.m. | 6:48 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. to 7:18 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. to 6:48 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Middle Zone ducks | 6:39 a.m. | 4:59 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 5:29 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | November firearms opener | 6:47 a.m. | 4:53 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 4:53 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Alternative methods | 7:22 a.m. | 4:51 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 5:21 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 4:51 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Archery close | 7:22 a.m. | 5:09 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 5:39 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 5:09 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 Birch Creek Conservation Area
Birch Creek Conservation Area hunters: public range and clubs
From Birch Creek Conservation Area, Twin Pines Conservation Center Archery Range is the nearest MDC or other public range (12 miles).
From MDC area pages and the MDC Shooting Ranges layer, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 29, 2026.
Birch Creek Conservation Area questions with sourced answers
Birch Creek Conservation Area hours and camping?
Area hours: 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.. MDC lists camping.
Is elk hunting open near Birch Creek Conservation Area?
Drawn hunters may hunt elk here in October and December.
What paperwork covers a hunt at Birch Creek Conservation Area?
Buy the matching Missouri permit (Missouri calls them permits); waterfowl also need the federal duck stamp.
Is Birch Creek Conservation Area open for hunting this season?
Yes. MDC lists deer, black bear, turkey and squirrel on Birch Creek Conservation Area, and it is on the deer list.
Is Birch Creek Conservation Area archery only for deer?
Plan on archery and firearms. Antlerless permits are allowed.
What is the antlerless limit for Birch Creek Conservation Area?
Shannon County sets a firearms antlerless fill limit of 2, and its antlerless portions are open.
Does the feed ban cover Birch Creek Conservation Area?
For Shannon County, sampling is required on Nov. 14-15 and the feed ban applies.
What turkey rules apply on Birch Creek Conservation Area?
Turkey methods: archery and firearms. Fall firearms turkey (Oct. 1-31) is open in Shannon County.
Which bear permits work at Birch Creek Conservation Area?
The county is BMZ 2; bear is listed for the area.
How long is the legal day at Birch Creek 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 Birch Creek Conservation Area?
The three nearest: Barn Hollow Natural Area (13 mi), Mountain View Towersite (14 mi) and Carrick W. Davidson – Robert G. Paris Wildlife Area (17 mi).
Where do I buy gas near Birch Creek Conservation Area?
About 4.6 mi to Birch Tree.
How large an area is Birch Creek Conservation Area?
Roughly 5,646 acres, looked after by Missouri Department of Conservation.
Leaving for Birch Creek Conservation Area?
Missouri sells permits, not licenses: buy the right one before you hunt Birch Creek Conservation Area, and wear hunter orange in the firearms portions.
Sources: source · source · source · source; regulations from the 2026 Fall Deer and Turkey booklet. Checked October 29, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Chris M Morris (CC BY 2.0); Chris M Morris (CC BY 2.0); USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0).