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Conservation area · Southwest Region
Fort Crowder Conservation Area, a hunter guide
Conservation area in Newton County, 2,213 acres, MDC Southwest Region.
Photo: Osbornb (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Fort Crowder Conservation Area
Fort Crowder Conservation Area basics
At 2,213 acres, Fort Crowder Conservation Area is part of the public ground of Newton County. Among the 4 conservation areas of Newton County, it sits 1st for acres. The Frontier district (MDC Southwest Region) handles habitat work on Fort Crowder Conservation Area.
The atlas entry for Fort Crowder Conservation Area also shows shooting range (archery, shotgun, rifle or pistol), trails (biking, horseback, hiking), camping (designated camping sites) and field trials (special use permit).
MDC describes the area this way: Fort Crowder Conservation Area, located in southern Newton County, was once part of the old, World War II Camp Crowder Army Base. The U.S. Army selected the Neosho site for the base because of its proximity to water, railroads, and highways. Visitors to the area can still see foundations, fruit trees, open fields and other remnants of many of the hundreds of small farms purchased by the federal government for the 60,000-acre base. Camp Crowder was named for Judge Advocate General and U.S. Ambassador to Cuba, Enoch H. Crowder. Thousands of soldiers went through basic training here before the camp was decommissioned in the mid 1950s, including Mort Walker, who immortalized the Camp as Camp Swampy in his syndicated comic strip, Beetle Bailey. Fort Crowder Conservation Area, encompassing 2,362 acres, is approximately 60 percent forested. The remainder of the area is open and includes 200 acres of native warm-season grasses, 100 acres of crop fields, and 600 acres of fields maintained in an early successional stage.
Hunted here: Deer, Black bear, Turkey, Squirrel, Dove.
From the agency record (Missouri Department of Conservation); checked October 29, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Fort Crowder Conservation Area
How Fort Crowder Conservation Area may be hunted
Read these before a first trip to Fort Crowder Conservation Area; posted signs still govern.
| Species | Allowed | Permit note |
|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | Archery and firearms | Allowed |
| Wild Turkey | Archery only | – |
| Black Bear | Archery and firearms | Zone permit |
| Gray Squirrel | Statewide methods | – |
| Mourning Dove | Statewide methods | Nontoxic for doves |
Code rules for Fort Crowder 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. On multi-use trails designated as open to equestrian use, horses and horseback riding is prohibited during all portions of the firearms deer hunting season and during shooting hours of spring turkey hunting seasons.
- An unstaffed range is located on this department area. Target shooting is not allowed anywhere on this area except for designated shooting range(s).
- Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Ranges may be closed to public use at any time for maintenance or department sponsored events or programs.
The deer rule for Fort Crowder Conservation Area is archery and firearms, and antlerless permits may be used here. The turkey rule on Fort Crowder Conservation Area reads archery only. MDC lists black bear on Fort Crowder Conservation Area, archery and firearms, for hunters drawn for that zone. In the booklet table Fort Crowder Conservation Area carries antlerless code A: antlerless permits allowed. Nontoxic shot applies to dove hunting on Fort Crowder Conservation Area. Listed or not matters on MDC ground: Fort Crowder 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 Fort Crowder Conservation Area
| Topic | Newton County |
|---|---|
| Firearms antlerless limit | 4 deer |
| Antlerless portions | Open |
| CWD sampling Nov. 14-15 | No |
| Feed and mineral ban | Yes |
| Share the Harvest CWD test | Required |
| Fall firearms turkey | Closed |
| Dogs, November portion | No rule |
| Elk county | No |
| Bear zone | Zone 1, Zone 3 |
| Duck zone | South |
There are no deer units in Missouri; Newton County is the unit for Fort Crowder Conservation Area, with a firearms antlerless limit of 4. The early (Oct. 9-11) and late (Dec. 5-13) antlerless portions are open in Newton County. No grain, salt or mineral sites in Newton County: the ban runs all year. For bear, Newton County is in BMZ 1 (1,000 permits drawn, quota 30). Newton County is one of seven counties closed to fall firearms turkey. 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.
Fort Crowder Conservation Area by season
These 14 rows are the 2026-27 seasons that fit Fort Crowder 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 1 | Bear zone 1 | 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 archery, part 2 | Statewide | Nov 25, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| Squirrels | Squirrel season | Statewide | May 23, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Doves | Dove season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 |
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 Fort Crowder Conservation Area
Totals are for the whole county.
Newton County gave up 2,890 deer in 2025; the table runs back to 2020. In spring 2026, 193 turkeys were checked in Newton County, 13 of them reported from public land. For CWD, Newton County shows 0 positives over the years listed.
| Season | Bucks | Button bucks | Does | County total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,534 | 183 | 1,173 | 2,890 |
| 2024 | 1,470 | 144 | 1,175 | 2,789 |
| 2023 | 1,648 | 220 | 1,175 | 3,043 |
| 2022 | 1,522 | 202 | 1,230 | 2,954 |
| 2021 | 1,352 | 164 | 928 | 2,444 |
| 2020 | 1,417 | 169 | 1,041 | 2,627 |
| Year | Spring | Public | Youth | Fall gun | Fall bow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 193 | 13 | 17 | – | – |
| 2025 | 181 | 11 | 20 | – | 3 |
| 2024 | 209 | 13 | 15 | 1 | 9 |
| 2023 | 151 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 6 |
| 2022 | 102 | – | 11 | – | 13 |
| 2021 | 99 | – | 7 | 0 | 13 |
| Year | Samples | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 0 |
| 2025 | 74 | 0 |
| 2024 | 364 | 0 |
| 2023 | 72 | 0 |
| 2022 | 78 | 0 |
| 2021 | 76 | 0 |
MDC 2025 deer harvest summary, MDC turkey harvest summaries and MDC CWD dashboard; earlier years from the yearly reports. Checked October 29, 2026.
Fort Crowder Conservation Area: the surrounding public ground
The map pins Fort Crowder Conservation Area with the 8 closest public areas, led by Bicentennial Conservation Area at 2.7 mi.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | County | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bicentennial CA | Conservation area | 721 | Newton | 2.7 mi | northwest |
| Neosho Towersite | Towersite | 76 | Newton | 6.0 mi | north |
| Goodman Towersite | Towersite | 40 | Newton | 6.9 mi | southwest |
| Capps Creek CA | Conservation area | 726 | Newton | 13 mi | northeast |
| Tipton Ford Access | Public access area | 90 | Newton | 14 mi | northwest |
| Deep Ford Access | Public access area | 42 | McDonald | 14 mi | south |
| Diamond Grove Prairie CA | Conservation area | 852 | Newton | 14 mi | north |
| Huckleberry Ridge CA | Conservation area | 2,106 | McDonald | 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 Fort Crowder Conservation Area
The short run for gas and food is Neosho, 4.5 mi out. 53,605 people live in Joplin, the largest town within reach. Driving route: In Neosho at the Highway 59 and Route HH junction, take Route HH east 3.50 miles. MDC permits and advice: Neosho Office, Neosho, 5.4 mi away.
| Town | County | 2024 population | Away | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neosho | Newton | 13,782 | 4.5 mi | northwest |
| Pineville | McDonald | 843 | 17 mi | south |
| Joplin | Jasper | 53,605 | 21 mi | northwest |
| Carthage | Jasper | 15,703 | 23 mi | north |
| Washburn | Barry | 415 | 24 mi | southeast |
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 Fort Crowder Conservation Area
Sunrise in the Bootheel and in the Kansas City area can be 20 minutes apart, so use the adjusted times for Fort Crowder Conservation Area.
| Day | Hunt | Sun up | Sun down | Big game window | Migratory window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2026 | Dove opener | 6:47 a.m. | 7:48 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 8:18 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 7:48 p.m. |
| Sep 15, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:59 a.m. | 7:26 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. to 7:56 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. to 7:26 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Fall firearms turkey | 7:14 a.m. | 7:00 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Middle Zone ducks | 6:51 a.m. | 5:11 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 5:41 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 5:11 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | November firearms opener | 6:59 a.m. | 5:05 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. to 5:35 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Alternative methods | 7:34 a.m. | 5:03 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 5:33 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 5:03 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Archery close | 7:34 a.m. | 5:21 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 5:51 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 5:21 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.
Fort Crowder Conservation Area range and nearby clubs
The range on Fort Crowder Conservation Area is listed by MDC as MDC unstaffed range; target shooting off the range is not allowed.
From MDC area pages and the MDC Shooting Ranges layer, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 29, 2026; target shooting rule from MDC area rule 3 CSR 10-11.150 on the area page.
A visual feel for Fort Crowder Conservation Area
Fort Crowder Conservation Area, quick questions
Town nearest Fort Crowder Conservation Area?
Neosho, 4.5 mi by straight line.
Where is the next public ground after Fort Crowder Conservation Area?
Closest public options are Bicentennial Conservation Area (2.7 mi), Neosho Towersite (6.0 mi) and Goodman Towersite (6.9 mi).
Open hours at Fort Crowder Conservation Area?
Open 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.. Camping is listed on the area page.
How large an area is Fort Crowder Conservation Area?
In charge: Missouri Department of Conservation. Acres: 2,213.
Fort Crowder Conservation Area: open to hunters?
It is open to hunting: deer, black bear, turkey, squirrel and dove, under statewide seasons and the area rules.
Permits needed for Fort Crowder Conservation Area?
MDC permits by game: Small Game, Archer's, Firearms Any-Deer or Antlerless, Migratory Bird.
Are antlerless portions open near Fort Crowder Conservation Area?
Up to 4 antlerless deer on firearms permits in Newton County; antlerless portions run in October and December.
Which weapons are legal for deer at Fort Crowder Conservation Area?
Archery and firearms. Antlerless permits are allowed.
Is fall turkey open at Fort Crowder Conservation Area?
Archery only for turkey; the October firearms season is closed in the county.
Is there mandatory CWD testing near Fort Crowder Conservation Area?
No mandatory sampling, plus the feed and mineral ban.
First and last shooting light at Fort Crowder Conservation Area?
6:29 a.m. to 5:35 p.m. for deer on opening day; ducks end at 5:05 p.m..
Can I hunt bear on Fort Crowder Conservation Area?
Newton County is in Bear Management Zone 1 (1,000 permits, quota 30); the area lists bear.
Fort Crowder Conservation Area: confirm these first
Area rules, closures and managed hunt notices on Fort Crowder 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: Terry Ross (CC BY-SA 2.0); ImagePerson (CC BY 4.0); greenebriar (Public domain).