Home › Missouri › Public land › Pea Ridge Conservation Area
Conservation area · Missouri 2026-27
Pea Ridge Conservation Area hunting guide
Seasons, methods and access for this conservation area in Washington County.
Photo: Richard Ricciardi (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Pea Ridge Conservation Area
Pea Ridge Conservation Area profile
Washington County is home to the 8,494 acres of Pea Ridge Conservation Area. In acreage it places 1st among 4 conservation areas in Washington County. Management sits with MDC: Meramec district, St. Louis Region.
When hunting is slow, Pea Ridge Conservation Area offers camping (individual campsites), dog training and fishing (sunfish, catfish, black bass), per MDC.
In the agency's words: Pea Ridge Conservation Area is in Washington County. The area consists of four tracts of land, the largest of which straddles Highway 185, midway between Sullivan and Potosi. The 1,058-acre Hi Pointe tract is bisected by Pelican Ridge Road off of Route T. The 1,045-acre Route F Unit is accessed from Route F and Sugar Loaf Road, and the 720-acre Metcalf School Unit is accessed from Lodge Road off of Route W. The Conservation Department began purchasing land for the Pea Ridge Conservation Area in 1946 with the bulk of the main tract acquired in the 1970s. Pittman-Robertson funds allowed the purchase of 265 acres in 1978. At one time, the Jefferson City Trail ran through the main tract. The Rock Springs General Store and Post Office were once located on the trail. The forest is composed of oak, hickory, pine, and associated species. Cedar is found in glade areas, and bottomland hardwoods are found along streams. The main tract includes a fen,four springs, a sinkhole, a dolomite cliff, 10 dolomite glades, and over three miles of Indian Creek, an Ozark headwater stream.
Species on the record: Deer, Black bear, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel, Dove, Quail.
- White-tailed Deer
- Black Bear
- Wild Turkey
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Fox Squirrel
- Mourning Dove
- Northern Bobwhite Quail
From the agency record (Missouri Department of Conservation); checked October 29, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Pea Ridge Conservation Area
Pea Ridge Conservation Area methods and area rules
Methods for Pea Ridge Conservation Area come from the MDC area page and the deer quick view.
| Quarry | Methods | Permits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | – |
| Northern Bobwhite Quail | Statewide methods | – |
| Mourning Dove | Statewide methods | – |
Plan on archery and firearms for deer at Pea Ridge Conservation Area; antlerless permits may be used. For turkey, MDC allows archery and firearms on Pea Ridge Conservation Area. A bear permit holder may hunt Pea Ridge Conservation Area with archery and firearms. Antlerless code A applies to Pea Ridge Conservation Area, so antlerless permits allowed. MDC limits deer hunting on its areas to the listed ones, and Pea Ridge Conservation Area is listed.
Sources: area page, area regulations, deer quick view; booklet table: 2026 Fall Deer and Turkey booklet, pp. 42-55. Checked October 29, 2026.
Washington County rules on Pea Ridge Conservation Area
| County rule | Washington 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 |
| Duck zone | Middle |
For deer, Washington County sets the rules on Pea Ridge Conservation Area: firearms antlerless limit 4. Antlerless portions: open in October and December for Washington County. Leave the feeders home: Washington County bans feed and minerals all year. Bear hunters drawn for Zone 2 may hunt Washington County (750 permits, 22 bears). No CWD portion, no CWD Management Zone and no antler-point restriction this season.
2026 Fall Deer and Turkey booklet county rules, MDC CWD rules and 2026 bear digest; checked October 29, 2026.
Open dates on Pea Ridge Conservation Area
Open-now status is in the last column; 17 rows apply to Pea Ridge Conservation Area.
| Quarry | Season | Where | Opening | Closing | 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Youth quail | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Quail | Statewide | Nov 1, 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 |
Archery deer is closed during the November firearms portion, Nov. 14-24.
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.
Washington County deer and turkey harvest near Pea Ridge Conservation Area
County-level data from MDC.
MDC reports deer harvest by county, not by area: Washington County checked 3,425 deer in the 2025 permit year, 38% more than in 2024. Public land gave up 82 of the 380 spring 2026 turkeys in Washington County. CWD samples from Washington County turned up 1 positive in recent years (first found 2021-2022).
| Season | Antlered bucks | Button bucks | Does | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,569 | 380 | 1,476 | 3,425 |
| 2024 | 1,123 | 271 | 1,091 | 2,485 |
| 2023 | 1,564 | 493 | 2,049 | 4,106 |
| 2022 | 1,308 | 367 | 1,316 | 2,991 |
| 2021 | 1,626 | 457 | 1,486 | 3,569 |
| 2020 | 1,521 | 445 | 1,409 | 3,375 |
| Year | Spring | Public land | Youth | Fall firearms | Fall archery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 380 | 82 | 45 | – | – |
| 2025 | 517 | 161 | 36 | 38 | 19 |
| 2024 | 395 | 64 | 24 | 21 | 8 |
| 2023 | 426 | 110 | 29 | 72 | 52 |
| 2022 | 307 | – | 21 | 22 | 22 |
| 2021 | 370 | – | 17 | 37 | 40 |
| Year | Deer tested | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 0 |
| 2025 | 55 | 0 |
| 2024 | 419 | 0 |
| 2023 | 683 | 0 |
| 2022 | 659 | 0 |
| 2021 | 652 | 1 |
MDC 2025 deer harvest summary, MDC turkey harvest summaries and MDC CWD dashboard; earlier years from the yearly reports. Checked October 29, 2026.
Pea Ridge Conservation Area and nearby public land, mapped
Little Indian Creek Conservation Area (9.8 mi, north) tops the neighbor list for Pea Ridge Conservation Area, measured as the crow flies.
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | County | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Indian Creek CA | Conservation area | 4,205 | Franklin, Washington | 9.8 mi | north |
| Meramec CA | Conservation area | 3,879 | Franklin | 12 mi | northwest |
| Blue Springs Creek CA | Conservation area | 907 | Crawford | 13 mi | west |
| Huzzah CA | Conservation area | 6,225 | Crawford | 13 mi | west |
| Kingston Access | Public access area | 58 | Washington | 14 mi | east |
| Redhorse Access | Public access area | 43 | Franklin | 15 mi | north |
| Merrill Horse Access | Public access area | 74 | Jefferson | 15 mi | northeast |
| Long Ridge CA | Conservation area | 1,813 | Franklin | 19 mi | northwest |
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.
Getting supplies near Pea Ridge Conservation Area
Nearest town with its own page: Potosi, 14 mi. Getting there, per MDC: Pea Ridge Conservation Area is in Washington County. The area consists of four tracts of land, the largest of which straddles Highway 185, midway between Sullivan and Potosi. The 1,058-acre Hi Pointe tract is bisected by Pelican Ridge Road off of Route T. The 1,045-acre Route F Unit is accessed from Route F and Sugar Loaf Road, and the 720-acre Metcalf School Unit is accessed from Lodge Road off of Route W. The closest MDC office on file is Meramec Workstation Field Office, about 12 mi from Pea Ridge Conservation Area.
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potosi | Washington | 2,549 | 14 mi | southeast |
| Oak Grove Village | Franklin | 405 | 15 mi | northwest |
| Stanton | Franklin | – | 16 mi | northwest |
| Parkway | Franklin | 642 | 18 mi | north |
| Leasburg | Crawford | 318 | 19 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.
Pea Ridge Conservation Area hunting hours on key dates
MDC prints one sunrise and sunset table for Jefferson City and tells hunters to adjust it by 1 minute for every 13.5 miles east or west. For Pea Ridge Conservation Area that means subtract 5 minutes.
| Date | Opener or close | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2026 | Dove opener | 6:33 a.m. | 7:34 p.m. | 6:03 a.m. to 8:04 p.m. | 6:03 a.m. to 7:34 p.m. |
| Sep 15, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:45 a.m. | 7:12 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 7:42 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 7:12 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Fall firearms turkey | 7:00 a.m. | 6:46 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 7:16 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 6:46 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Middle Zone ducks | 6:37 a.m. | 4:57 p.m. | 6:07 a.m. to 5:27 p.m. | 6:07 a.m. to 4:57 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | November firearms opener | 6:45 a.m. | 4:51 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 5:21 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 4:51 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Alternative methods | 7:20 a.m. | 4:49 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 5:19 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 4:49 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Archery close | 7:20 a.m. | 5:07 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 5:37 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 5:07 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.
Pea Ridge Conservation Area hunters: public range and clubs
Washington County has the public range nearest Pea Ridge Conservation Area: Little Indian Creek CA range (9 miles). Two club ranges follow.
From MDC area pages and the MDC Shooting Ranges layer, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 29, 2026.
Photo strip for Pea Ridge Conservation Area
Pea Ridge Conservation Area hunter FAQ
Is Pea Ridge Conservation Area good for fall turkey?
Turkey is archery and firearms; fall firearms is open.
What bear rules apply at Pea Ridge Conservation Area?
Zone 2 covers the county (750 permits); bear is on the area list.
Pea Ridge Conservation Area shooting hours for the November opener?
Roughly 6:15 a.m. until 5:21 p.m., worked out for this spot.
Pea Ridge Conservation Area crowded: where next?
In order of distance: Little Indian Creek Conservation Area (9.8 mi), Meramec Conservation Area (12 mi) and Blue Springs Creek Conservation Area (13 mi).
Nearest town with services to Pea Ridge Conservation Area?
Potosi (Washington County), about 14 mi away.
Pea Ridge Conservation Area: size and manager?
The record lists 8,494 acres; Missouri Department of Conservation is in charge.
Can hunters camp on Pea Ridge Conservation Area?
Hours are 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.; campsites are listed.
Is there an area permit for Pea Ridge Conservation Area?
Missouri permits for the game you hunt; deer need an Archer's or Firearms permit, migratory birds a Migratory Bird permit.
May the public hunt at Pea Ridge Conservation Area?
Open for deer, black bear, turkey, rabbit, squirrel, dove and quail, with the methods shown in the rules section.
What deer methods are allowed on Pea Ridge Conservation Area?
The deer rule is archery and firearms. Antlerless permits are allowed.
Which antlerless rule covers Pea Ridge Conservation Area?
Missouri sets it by county; Washington County allows 4 on firearms permits. Antlerless portions are open.
Is deer feeding banned near Pea Ridge Conservation Area?
CWD rules in Washington County: sampling not mandatory, feed ban yes.
Pea Ridge Conservation Area final checklist
Signs on the ground outrank any web page; look for posted refuge and closed zones on Pea Ridge Conservation Area.
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); Jim, the Photographer (CC BY 2.0).