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Conservation area · 2026-27
Huzzah Conservation Area hunting guide
What MDC publishes about this conservation area in Crawford County, in one page.
Photo: Richard Ricciardi (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Huzzah Conservation Area
Huzzah Conservation Area: acres, manager and game
The record gives Huzzah Conservation Area 6,225 acres in Crawford County. Of 6 conservation areas in Crawford County, Huzzah Conservation Area is number 1 by acreage. It belongs to the Meramec management district, MDC St. Louis Region.
Other uses MDC lists for Huzzah Conservation Area: shooting range (rifle or pistol), trails (hiking), camping (designated camping sites), dog training, fishing (rock bass, sunfish, suckers, catfish) and trapping (special use permit).
From the MDC area description: Huzzah Conservation Area is located in Crawford County. The area consists of 6,225 acres. Rugged forest terrain, the Meramec River and Huzzah and Courtois Creeks draw many visitors to this area. The Ozark Trail transects most of the area and allows hikers access to many of its unique features. The Narrows, located in the extreme southwest portion of the area, is a narrow hogback ridgethat divides Huzzah and Courtois Creeks. The Narrows features extremely steep topography and rapidly changing vegetation from ridge to creek bottom. The remains of the Scotia Furnace and Iron Works are located on the property. The Scotia Furnace, built by John G. Scott, Robert Anderson, Thomas Howard and Anvil James, produced pig iron from 1870 to 1880. Much of the forest in the vicinity of the furnace remains was clearcut during that period to produce charcoal to fire the furnace. The area is managed for a variety of game and non-game wildlife species. Timber harvests have been used to produce forage and cover for wildlife.
Game species: Deer, Black bear, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel.
From the agency record (Missouri Department of Conservation); checked October 29, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Huzzah Conservation Area
Neighbors of Huzzah Conservation Area on the map
Count on Blue Springs Creek Conservation Area as the first fallback, 5.6 mi north of Huzzah Conservation Area.
| Public land | Type | Acres | County | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Springs Creek CA | Conservation area | 907 | Crawford | 5.6 mi | north |
| Pearl G. and John J. Sizemore Memorial CA | Conservation area | 180 | Crawford | 10 mi | southwest |
| John N. and Melba S. Anderson Memorial CA | Conservation area | 341 | Crawford | 10 mi | southwest |
| Pea Ridge CA | Conservation area | 8,494 | Washington | 13 mi | east |
| Keysville Towersite | Towersite | 80 | Crawford | 14 mi | southwest |
| Meramec CA | Conservation area | 3,879 | Franklin | 15 mi | northeast |
| Crooked Creek CA | Conservation area | 337 | Crawford | 17 mi | southwest |
| Long Ridge CA | Conservation area | 1,813 | Franklin | 18 mi | north |
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.
Huzzah Conservation Area hunting methods
Huzzah 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 |
| Eastern Cottontail | Statewide methods | – |
| Gray Squirrel | Statewide methods | – |
What the Code adds for Huzzah Conservation Area
- 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.
- Possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on all ranges and associated parking lots.
- Groups of more than 10 people must obtain a special use permit prior to using the range. To obtain a special use permit, contact the area manager at the phone number listed for this area in the area details section.
MDC allows archery and firearms for deer on Huzzah Conservation Area; antlerless permits may be used. Turkey hunters may use archery and firearms here. Bear hunting is listed on Huzzah Conservation Area (archery and firearms) for permit holders in the right management zone. Huzzah 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 Huzzah 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 Huzzah Conservation Area
Huzzah Conservation Area gets 15 dated rows once the Crawford 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 | |
| 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 |
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 Huzzah Conservation Area
| Rule | Crawford 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 | Open |
| Dogs, November portion | No rule |
| Elk county | No |
| Bear zone | Zone 2, Zone 3 |
| Duck zone | Middle |
Missouri sets deer rules county by county, so Huzzah Conservation Area follows Crawford County: up to 4 antlerless deer on firearms permits. Crawford County opens for both antlerless portions this year. Crawford County is one of 85 counties with the year-round feed and mineral ban. Bear Management Zone 2 covers Crawford County: 750 permits and a 22-bear quota for Oct. 17-30. MDC retired the CWD portion, its management zone and the antler-point restriction for 2026.
2026 Fall Deer and Turkey booklet county rules, MDC CWD rules and 2026 bear digest; checked October 29, 2026.
Huzzah Conservation Area town and service list
Leasburg lies closest, about 7.1 mi as the crow flies. Steelville counts 1,445 residents, more than any other town listed. How MDC says to drive in: From Leasburg, take Route H south 5 miles to the area. Need MDC staff? Meramec Workstation Field Office in Sullivan is 14 mi out.
| Nearest towns | County | Population | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leasburg | Crawford | 318 | 7.1 mi | northwest |
| Steelville | Crawford | 1,445 | 10 mi | southwest |
| Oak Grove Village | Franklin | 405 | 13 mi | north |
| Stanton | Franklin | – | 17 mi | north |
| Viburnum | Iron | 658 | 22 mi | south |
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.
Huzzah Conservation Area: deer, turkey and CWD by year
County figures, the smallest unit MDC publishes.
The county total for 2025 was 3,667 deer (1,805 antlered bucks), the closest MDC figure for Huzzah Conservation Area. 64 public-land birds out of 474 in spring 2026, Crawford County. 9 positive deers in Crawford County in the sample years shown; CWD was first found there in 2018-2019.
| Permit year | Antlered bucks | Button bucks | Does | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,805 | 296 | 1,566 | 3,667 |
| 2024 | 1,492 | 333 | 1,257 | 3,082 |
| 2023 | 1,949 | 457 | 2,000 | 4,406 |
| 2022 | 1,633 | 379 | 1,489 | 3,501 |
| 2021 | 1,887 | 444 | 1,680 | 4,011 |
| 2020 | 1,510 | 422 | 1,449 | 3,381 |
| Year | Spring harvest | Public land share | Youth weekend | Fall firearms | Fall archery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 474 | 64 | 54 | – | – |
| 2025 | 687 | 127 | 61 | 47 | 19 |
| 2024 | 565 | 96 | 28 | 36 | 14 |
| 2023 | 635 | 120 | 27 | 82 | 46 |
| 2022 | 417 | – | 30 | 43 | 29 |
| 2021 | 499 | – | 47 | 49 | 54 |
| Season | Tested | Positives |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 12 | 0 |
| 2025 | 106 | 1 |
| 2024 | 830 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1,108 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1,115 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1,019 | 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 Huzzah Conservation Area
The times below start from the MDC Jefferson City table and subtract 4 minutes for Huzzah 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 Huzzah Conservation Area
The shooting range on Huzzah Conservation Area
Huzzah Conservation Area is one of MDC’s range areas (public, free); shoot targets only at the designated range.
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.
Huzzah Conservation Area questions with sourced answers
Is Huzzah Conservation Area open for hunting this season?
Yes. MDC lists deer, black bear, turkey, rabbit and squirrel on Huzzah Conservation Area, and it is on the deer list.
Is Huzzah Conservation Area archery only for deer?
Plan on archery and firearms. Antlerless permits are allowed.
What is the antlerless limit for Huzzah Conservation Area?
Crawford County sets a firearms antlerless fill limit of 4, and its antlerless portions are open.
Does the feed ban cover Huzzah Conservation Area?
For Crawford County, sampling is not required and the feed ban applies.
What turkey rules apply on Huzzah Conservation Area?
Turkey methods: archery and firearms. Fall firearms turkey (Oct. 1-31) is open in Crawford County.
Which bear permits work at Huzzah Conservation Area?
The county is BMZ 2; bear is listed for the area.
How long is the legal day at Huzzah Conservation Area in mid-November?
From 6:16 a.m. until 5:22 p.m. on Nov. 14, by the MDC table with the longitude correction.
Closest public alternatives to Huzzah Conservation Area?
The three nearest: Blue Springs Creek Conservation Area (5.6 mi), Pearl G. and John J. Sizemore Memorial Conservation Area (10 mi) and John N. and Melba S. Anderson Memorial Conservation Area (10 mi).
Where do I buy gas near Huzzah Conservation Area?
About 7.1 mi to Leasburg.
How large an area is Huzzah Conservation Area?
Roughly 6,225 acres, looked after by Missouri Department of Conservation.
Huzzah Conservation Area hours and camping?
Area hours: 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.. MDC lists camping.
What paperwork covers a hunt at Huzzah Conservation Area?
Buy the matching Missouri permit (Missouri calls them permits); waterfowl also need the federal duck stamp.
Leaving for Huzzah Conservation Area?
Missouri sells permits, not licenses: buy the right one before you hunt Huzzah 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: Dave Herholz (CC BY-SA 2.0); Richard Ricciardi (CC BY 2.0); USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0).