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Conservation area · 2026-27
Little Lost Creek Conservation Area, a hunter guide
What MDC publishes about this conservation area in Warren County, in one page.
Photo: Paul Sableman (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Little Lost Creek Conservation Area
Little Lost Creek Conservation Area: acres, manager and game
The record gives Little Lost Creek Conservation Area 2,899 acres in Warren County. Of 2 conservation areas in Warren County, Little Lost Creek Conservation Area is number 2 by acreage. It belongs to the Great Rivers management district, MDC St. Louis Region.
Other uses MDC lists for Little Lost Creek Conservation Area: trails (biking, horseback, hiking), camping (designated camping sites, individual campsites) and dog training.
From the MDC area description: Little Lost Creek is a partially spring-fed Ozark stream, characterized by clear water and a rocky stream bed. Brilliantly colored Ozark fish species, such as bleeding shiners, southern red belly dace, and stippled darters are found in the streams. The 2,899-acre area consists mostly of oak/hickory forest, woodlands, and glades. A fall hike through the area provides visitors with dazzling displays of fall color. The Little Lost Creek valleys and numerous side drainages feature intermittent waterfalls, chutes, and outcrops of St. Peter sandstone, which provides habitat for numerous fern species. Woodland wildlife, such as deer, turkey, squirrels and ruffed-grouse are year-round residents. Pileated woodpeckers and other woodland birds are common most of the year. The area also provides an important stopping point for numerous neotropical migrant songbirds. Management of the forest at Little Lost Creek Conservation Area ensures that small openings are available for the benefit of many wildlife species and provides a continuous diversity of habitat.
Game species: Deer, Turkey, Squirrel.
From the agency record (Missouri Department of Conservation); checked October 29, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Little Lost Creek Conservation Area
Neighbors of Little Lost Creek Conservation Area on the map
Count on Daniel Boone Conservation Area as the first fallback, 6.1 mi west of Little Lost Creek Conservation Area.
| Public land | Type | Acres | County | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Boone CA | Conservation area | 3,523 | Warren | 6.1 mi | west |
| Frank, Emma Elizabeth and Edna Reifsnider State Forest | State forest | 1,389 | Warren | 9.1 mi | east |
| Danville CA | Conservation area | 3,136 | Montgomery | 15 mi | northwest |
| Loutre Lick Access | Public access area | 163 | Montgomery | 18 mi | northwest |
| Grand Bluffs CA | Conservation area | 236 | Montgomery | 19 mi | west |
| Tate Island CA | Conservation area | 422 | Callaway | 22 mi | west |
| Wellsville Lake CA | Conservation area | 126 | Montgomery | 24 mi | northwest |
| Cuivre River State Park | State park hunt | 6,364 | Lincoln | 26 mi | northeast |
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.
Little Lost Creek Conservation Area hunting methods
Little Lost Creek Conservation Area follows statewide seasons with the area limits shown here.
| Game | Methods | Note |
|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | Archery and firearms | Not allowed |
| Wild Turkey | Archery and firearms | – |
| Gray Squirrel | Statewide methods | – |
What the Code adds for Little Lost Creek 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.
MDC allows archery and firearms for deer on Little Lost Creek Conservation Area; antlerless permits may not be used. Turkey hunters may use archery and firearms here. Little Lost Creek Conservation Area shows code C in the booklet, antlerless permits not allowed. The deer hunting quick view is the list that counts for MDC areas, and Little Lost 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 Little Lost Creek Conservation Area
Little Lost Creek Conservation Area gets 12 dated rows once the Warren 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 | |
| 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 Little Lost Creek Conservation Area
| Rule | Warren County |
|---|---|
| Firearms antlerless limit | 4 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 rule |
| Elk county | No |
| Bear zone | None |
| Duck zone | Middle / North |
Missouri sets deer rules county by county, so Little Lost Creek Conservation Area follows Warren County: up to 4 antlerless deer on firearms permits. Warren County opens for both antlerless portions this year. Opening-weekend deer from Warren County (Nov. 14-15) must be sampled for CWD. Warren County is one of 85 counties with the year-round feed and mineral ban. MDC retired the CWD portion, its management zone and the antler-point restriction for 2026.
- S & R Convenience Center, 15397 Hwy. 47, Marthasville
- Warren County Fairgrounds, 615 Fairgrounds Rd., Warrenton
2026 Fall Deer and Turkey booklet county rules, MDC CWD rules and 2026 bear digest; checked October 29, 2026.
Little Lost Creek Conservation Area town and service list
Jonesburg lies closest, about 6.0 mi as the crow flies. Warrenton counts 9,420 residents, more than any other town listed. How MDC says to drive in: From Pendleton, take Route B south 4 miles, or from Pendleton take, Route EE south 4 miles. Need MDC staff? August A. Busch Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center in Defiance is 26 mi out.
| Nearest towns | County | Population | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesburg | Montgomery | 814 | 6.0 mi | north |
| Warrenton | Warren | 9,420 | 8.0 mi | northeast |
| Truesdale | Warren | 929 | 8.7 mi | east |
| Hermann | Gasconade | 2,192 | 10 mi | southwest |
| Big Spring | Montgomery | – | 11 mi | west |
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.
Little Lost Creek Conservation Area: deer, turkey and CWD by year
County figures, the smallest unit MDC publishes.
The county total for 2025 was 2,787 deer (1,337 antlered bucks), the closest MDC figure for Little Lost Creek Conservation Area. 8 public-land birds out of 368 in spring 2026, Warren County. 0 positive deers in Warren County in the sample years shown.
| Permit year | Antlered bucks | Button bucks | Does | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,337 | 225 | 1,225 | 2,787 |
| 2024 | 1,153 | 216 | 1,131 | 2,500 |
| 2023 | 1,485 | 310 | 1,515 | 3,310 |
| 2022 | 1,472 | 234 | 1,128 | 2,834 |
| 2021 | 1,401 | 229 | 1,064 | 2,694 |
| 2020 | 1,166 | 231 | 1,096 | 2,493 |
| Year | Spring harvest | Public land share | Youth weekend | Fall firearms | Fall archery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 368 | 8 | 39 | – | – |
| 2025 | 396 | 26 | 39 | 22 | 11 |
| 2024 | 347 | 11 | 29 | 22 | 5 |
| 2023 | 379 | 25 | 21 | 24 | 18 |
| 2022 | 249 | – | 20 | 24 | 21 |
| 2021 | 287 | – | 23 | 11 | 36 |
| Season | Tested | Positives |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 25 | 0 |
| 2025 | 107 | 0 |
| 2024 | 51 | 0 |
| 2023 | 62 | 0 |
| 2022 | 38 | 0 |
| 2021 | 480 | 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 Little Lost Creek Conservation Area
The times below start from the MDC Jefferson City table and subtract 4 minutes for Little Lost Creek Conservation Area, as the booklet directs.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer, bear, elk | Ducks, doves, geese |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2026 | Dove opener | 6:34 a.m. | 7:35 p.m. | 6:04 a.m. to 8:05 p.m. | 6:04 a.m. to 7:35 p.m. |
| Sep 15, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:46 a.m. | 7:13 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 7:43 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 7:13 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Fall firearms turkey | 7:01 a.m. | 6:47 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 7:17 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 6:47 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Middle Zone ducks | 6:38 a.m. | 4:58 p.m. | 6:08 a.m. to 5:28 p.m. | 6:08 a.m. to 4:58 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | November firearms opener | 6:46 a.m. | 4:52 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 4:52 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Alternative methods | 7:21 a.m. | 4:50 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Archery close | 7:21 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 5:38 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 5:08 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 Little Lost Creek Conservation Area
Little Lost Creek Conservation Area hunters: public range and clubs
From Little Lost Creek Conservation Area, Frank, Emma Elizabeth and Edna Reifsnider State Forest Shooting Range is the nearest MDC or other public range (9 miles). Nearby gun clubs fill the other cards.
From MDC area pages and the MDC Shooting Ranges layer, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 29, 2026.
Little Lost Creek Conservation Area questions with sourced answers
Is Little Lost Creek Conservation Area open for hunting this season?
Yes. MDC lists deer, turkey and squirrel on Little Lost Creek Conservation Area, and it is on the deer list.
Is Little Lost Creek Conservation Area archery only for deer?
Plan on archery and firearms. Antlerless permits are not allowed.
What is the antlerless limit for Little Lost Creek Conservation Area?
Warren County sets a firearms antlerless fill limit of 4, and its antlerless portions are open.
Does the feed ban cover Little Lost Creek Conservation Area?
For Warren County, sampling is required on Nov. 14-15 and the feed ban applies.
What turkey rules apply on Little Lost Creek Conservation Area?
Turkey methods: archery and firearms. Fall firearms turkey (Oct. 1-31) is open in Warren County.
How long is the legal day at Little Lost Creek 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 Little Lost Creek Conservation Area?
The three nearest: Daniel Boone Conservation Area (6.1 mi), Frank, Emma Elizabeth and Edna Reifsnider State Forest (9.1 mi) and Danville Conservation Area (15 mi).
Where do I buy gas near Little Lost Creek Conservation Area?
About 6.0 mi to Jonesburg.
How large an area is Little Lost Creek Conservation Area?
Roughly 2,899 acres, looked after by Missouri Department of Conservation.
Little Lost Creek Conservation Area hours and camping?
Area hours: 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.. MDC lists camping.
What paperwork covers a hunt at Little Lost Creek Conservation Area?
Buy the matching Missouri permit (Missouri calls them permits); waterfowl also need the federal duck stamp.
Leaving for Little Lost Creek Conservation Area?
Missouri sells permits, not licenses: buy the right one before you hunt Little Lost 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: Dave Herholz (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); Susan Young (Public Domain Mark 1.0).