Gist Ranch Conservation Area hunting guide

Gist Ranch Conservation Area hunting methods

Gist Ranch Conservation Area follows statewide seasons with the area limits shown here.

What the Code adds for Gist Ranch 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.

MDC allows archery and firearms for deer on Gist Ranch Conservation Area; antlerless permits may be used. Turkey hunters may use archery and firearms here. Bear hunting is listed on Gist Ranch Conservation Area (archery and firearms) for permit holders in the right management zone. Gist Ranch 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 Gist Ranch 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.

Gist Ranch Conservation Area town and service list

Summersville lies closest, about 7.3 mi as the crow flies. Willow Springs counts 2,219 residents, more than any other town listed. How MDC says to drive in: From Summersville, take Highway 17 west 4 miles, then Route W south 3 miles, then Ranch Road west 1.75 miles to the area. Another entrance road to the area is 5 miles west of Summersville on Highway 17. Need MDC staff? Eminence Office in Eminence is 24 mi out.

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.

First and last shooting light in Gist Ranch Conservation Area

The times below start from the MDC Jefferson City table and subtract 2 minutes for Gist Ranch Conservation Area, as the booklet directs.

Spring turkey on public land ends at 1 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.

Gist Ranch Conservation Area questions with sourced answers