Home › Missouri › Public land › Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area
Conservation area · Kansas City Region
Hunt Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area
Conservation area in Lafayette County, 175 acres, MDC Kansas City Region.
Photo: MoBikeFed (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
About Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area
At 175 acres, Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area is part of the public ground of Lafayette County. Among the 4 conservation areas of Lafayette County, it sits 3rd for acres. The Missouri River district (MDC Kansas City Region) handles habitat work on Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area.
The atlas entry for Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area also shows trapping (special use permit).
MDC describes the area this way: Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area is located in western Lafayette County, 2 miles southwest of Bates City. There is a parking lot located along Walton Road. The Conservation Department acquired this area as a generous donation from the Harriet P. Copple Trust in remembrance of the Ferguson and Herold families, who owned and farmed the land since 1867. Colonel James Walton and family first homesteaded the property in 1839. The Waltons sold the property to Alfred and Sedena Ferguson in 1867. The Fergusons, originally from Ohio, arrived in Pleasant Hill by train, before making their final trek with their livestock and personal possessions to the farm by wagon and on foot. The 175-acre area includes rolling hills, crop fields, old fields, and small tracts of timber. Four small fishless ponds are present, and the head waters of the Little Horseshoe Creek start on the property.
Hunted here: Deer, Black bear, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel, Dove.
From the agency record (Missouri Department of Conservation); checked October 29, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area
How Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area may be hunted
Read these before a first trip to Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area; posted signs still govern.
| Species | Allowed | Permit note |
|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | Archery only | Allowed |
| Wild Turkey | Archery and firearms | – |
| Black Bear | Archery only | Zone permit |
| Eastern Cottontail | Statewide methods | – |
| Gray Squirrel | Statewide methods | – |
| Mourning Dove | Statewide methods | – |
MDC allows archery methods only for deer on Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area; antlerless permits may be used. The turkey rule on Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area reads archery and firearms. MDC lists black bear on Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area, archery only, for hunters drawn for that zone. In the booklet table Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area carries antlerless code A: antlerless permits allowed. Listed or not matters on MDC ground: Ferguson-Herold 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.
County deer rules for Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area
| Topic | Lafayette County |
|---|---|
| Firearms antlerless limit | 4 deer |
| Antlerless portions | Open |
| CWD sampling Nov. 14-15 | No |
| Feed and mineral ban | No |
| Share the Harvest CWD test | No |
| Fall firearms turkey | Open |
| Dogs, November portion | No rule |
| Elk county | No |
| Bear zone | Zone 3 |
| Duck zone | Middle |
There are no deer units in Missouri; Lafayette County is the unit for Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area, with a firearms antlerless limit of 4. The early (Oct. 9-11) and late (Dec. 5-13) antlerless portions are open in Lafayette County. For bear, Lafayette 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.
2026 Fall Deer and Turkey booklet county rules, MDC CWD rules and 2026 bear digest; checked October 29, 2026.
Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area by season
These 9 rows are the 2026-27 seasons that fit Ferguson-Herold 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 | Archery, second part | Statewide | Nov 25, 2026 | Jan 15, 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 | |
| Doves | Dove season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 |
Gun portions are dropped: deer on Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area are archery only. 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 Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area
Totals are for the whole county.
Lafayette County gave up 1,684 deer in 2025; the table runs back to 2020. In spring 2026, 243 turkeys were checked in Lafayette County, 22 of them reported from public land. For CWD, Lafayette County shows 0 positives over the years listed.
| Season | Bucks | Button bucks | Does | County total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 841 | 127 | 716 | 1,684 |
| 2024 | 837 | 125 | 690 | 1,652 |
| 2023 | 814 | 116 | 668 | 1,598 |
| 2022 | 811 | 155 | 730 | 1,696 |
| 2021 | 770 | 135 | 623 | 1,528 |
| 2020 | 760 | 115 | 560 | 1,435 |
| Year | Spring | Public | Youth | Fall gun | Fall bow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 243 | 22 | 25 | – | – |
| 2025 | 221 | 17 | 19 | 9 | 8 |
| 2024 | 242 | 16 | 21 | 5 | – |
| 2023 | 210 | 18 | 9 | 6 | 8 |
| 2022 | 205 | – | 15 | 5 | 5 |
| 2021 | 218 | – | 21 | 6 | 13 |
| Year | Samples | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 21 | 0 |
| 2024 | 42 | 0 |
| 2023 | 37 | 0 |
| 2022 | 69 | 0 |
| 2021 | 75 | 0 |
MDC 2025 deer harvest summary, MDC turkey harvest summaries and MDC CWD dashboard; earlier years from the yearly reports. Checked October 29, 2026.
Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area: the surrounding public ground
The map pins Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area with the 8 closest public areas, led by Sni-A-Bar Conservation Area at 5.2 mi.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | County | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sni-A-Bar CA | Conservation area | 80 | Lafayette | 5.2 mi | north |
| Lone Jack Lake CA | Conservation area | 295 | Jackson | 8.4 mi | southwest |
| Jim Bridger Urban CA | Conservation area | 320 | Jackson | 11 mi | west |
| Burr Oak Woods CA | Conservation area | 1,071 | Jackson | 13 mi | northwest |
| Lake Jacomo (Jackson County) | Cooperative area | 970 | Jackson | 13 mi | west |
| Blue Springs Lake (Jackson County) (1.0 acres) | Cooperative area | 1.0 | Jackson | 13 mi | west |
| James A. Reed Memorial WA | Conservation area | 3,084 | Jackson | 15 mi | southwest |
| Holden City Lake | Cooperative area | 380 | Johnson | 15 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.
Who is nearby at Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area
The short run for gas and food is Blue Springs, 10 mi out. 121,629 people live in Independence, the largest town within reach. Driving route: From Bates City, take First Street/Walton Road south 2 miles. MDC permits and advice: Lake City Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center, Buckner, 11 mi away.
| Town | County | 2024 population | Away | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Springs | Jackson | 61,246 | 10 mi | west |
| Lake Tapawingo | Jackson | 781 | 13 mi | west |
| Sibley | Jackson | 320 | 15 mi | northwest |
| Greenwood | Jackson | 6,235 | 16 mi | southwest |
| Independence | Jackson | 121,629 | 17 mi | northwest |
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 Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area
Sunrise in the Bootheel and in the Kansas City area can be 20 minutes apart, so use the adjusted times for Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area.
| Day | Hunt | Sun up | Sun down | Big game window | Migratory window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2026 | Dove opener | 6:45 a.m. | 7:46 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 8:16 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 7:46 p.m. |
| Sep 15, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:57 a.m. | 7:24 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 7:54 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 7:24 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Fall firearms turkey | 7:12 a.m. | 6:58 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. to 7:28 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. to 6:58 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Middle Zone ducks | 6:49 a.m. | 5:09 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 5:39 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 5:09 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | November firearms opener | 6:57 a.m. | 5:03 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 5:33 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 5:03 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Alternative methods | 7:32 a.m. | 5:01 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 5:31 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 5:01 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Archery close | 7:32 a.m. | 5:19 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 5:49 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 5:19 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.
Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area hunters: public range and clubs
Landahl Park Archery Range (public, local) is 10 miles from Ferguson-Herold 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 Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area
Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area, quick questions
Permits needed for Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area?
MDC permits by game: Small Game, Archer's, Firearms Any-Deer or Antlerless, Migratory Bird.
How large an area is Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area?
In charge: Missouri Department of Conservation. Acres: 175.
Which weapons are legal for deer at Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area?
Archery methods only. Antlerless permits are allowed.
Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area: open to hunters?
It is open to hunting: deer, black bear, turkey, rabbit, squirrel and dove, under statewide seasons and the area rules.
Is there mandatory CWD testing near Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area?
No mandatory sampling, and no feed ban.
Are antlerless portions open near Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area?
Up to 4 antlerless deer on firearms permits in Lafayette County; antlerless portions run in October and December.
Can I hunt bear on Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area?
Lafayette County is in Bear Management Zone 3 (250 permits, quota 8); the area lists bear.
Is fall turkey open at Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area?
Archery and firearms for turkey; the October firearms season is open in the county.
Where is the next public ground after Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area?
Closest public options are Sni-A-Bar Conservation Area (5.2 mi), Lone Jack Lake Conservation Area (8.4 mi) and Jim Bridger Urban Conservation Area (11 mi).
First and last shooting light at Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area?
6:28 a.m. to 5:34 p.m. for deer on opening day; ducks end at 5:04 p.m..
Town nearest Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area?
Blue Springs, 10 mi by straight line.
Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area: confirm these first
Area rules, closures and managed hunt notices on Ferguson-Herold 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: MoBikeFed (CC BY 2.0); cuatrok77 (CC BY-SA 2.0); USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0).