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Conservation area · Southwest Region
Rocky Barrens Conservation Area, a hunter guide
Conservation area in Greene County, 281 acres, MDC Southwest Region.
Photo: altonwoods (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Rocky Barrens Conservation Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Rocky Barrens Conservation Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Frisco Highline Trail Williard TrailheadTrailhead · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Frisco Highline Trail Williard Trailhead ParkingParking · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Frisco Highline Trail Bike Depot TrailheadTrailhead · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Frisco Highline Trail Bike Depot Trailhead ParkingParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Sac River Trails TrailheadTrailhead · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
Rocky Barrens Conservation Area basics
At 281 acres, Rocky Barrens Conservation Area is part of the public ground of Greene County. Among the 4 conservation areas of Greene County, it sits 4th for acres. The White River district (MDC Southwest Region) handles habitat work on Rocky Barrens Conservation Area.
The atlas entry for Rocky Barrens Conservation Area also shows trapping (special use permit).
MDC describes the area this way: This 281-acre area in Greene County is located within the boundaries of the largest Mississippian limestone glade ecosystem in the region. The limestone glade community is characterized by thin, rapidly drained soils, interspersed with rock fragments and dissected by horizontal layers of exposed limestone bedrock. Dry conditions prevail during summer and fall, but extended wet periods occur during winter and spring. In March 1835, Elias Barcroft, surveying the Rocky Barrens area for the U.S. Government described it as "…very hilly and broken almost naked hills covered with ledges of limestone rocks and also loose falt limestone flint and gravel." One hundred and fifty years of settlement and changing agricultural practices have changed the region drastically. "Naked hills" are now covered with dense growth of cedars and other trees. Aggressive non-native plants, including fescue, musk thistle and brome grass, are replacing native plants. Actual glades are now in small isolated areas.
Hunted here: Deer, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel.
From the agency record (Missouri Department of Conservation); checked October 29, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Rocky Barrens Conservation Area
How Rocky Barrens Conservation Area may be hunted
Read these before a first trip to Rocky Barrens Conservation Area; posted signs still govern.
| Species | Allowed | Permit note |
|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | Archery only | Allowed |
| Wild Turkey | Archery and firearms | – |
| Eastern Cottontail | Statewide methods | – |
| Gray Squirrel | Statewide methods | – |
MDC allows archery methods only for deer on Rocky Barrens Conservation Area; antlerless permits may be used. The turkey rule on Rocky Barrens Conservation Area reads archery and firearms. In the booklet table Rocky Barrens Conservation Area carries antlerless code A: antlerless permits allowed. Listed or not matters on MDC ground: Rocky Barrens 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 Rocky Barrens Conservation Area
| Topic | Greene 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 | Zone 3, Zone 1 |
| Duck zone | South |
There are no deer units in Missouri; Greene County is the unit for Rocky Barrens Conservation Area, with a firearms antlerless limit of 4. The early (Oct. 9-11) and late (Dec. 5-13) antlerless portions are open in Greene County. Plan a stop at a sampling station if you tag a deer in Greene County on Nov. 14 or 15. No grain, salt or mineral sites in Greene County: the ban runs all year. For bear, Greene County is in BMZ 3 (250 permits drawn, quota 8). The CWD portion, the CWD Management Zone and the antler-point restriction were removed for 2026.
- Southwest Regional MDC Office, 2630 N. Mayfair Ave., Springfield
2026 Fall Deer and Turkey booklet county rules, MDC CWD rules and 2026 bear digest; checked October 29, 2026.
Rocky Barrens Conservation Area by season
These 7 rows are the 2026-27 seasons that fit Rocky Barrens 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 | Archery, second part | Statewide | Nov 25, 2026 | Jan 15, 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 | |
| Rabbits | Rabbit hunting | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Squirrels | Squirrel season | Statewide | May 23, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 |
Gun portions are dropped: deer on Rocky Barrens Conservation Area are archery only. 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 Rocky Barrens Conservation Area
Totals are for the whole county.
Greene County gave up 2,955 deer in 2025; the table runs back to 2020. In spring 2026, 684 turkeys were checked in Greene County, 35 of them reported from public land. For CWD, Greene County shows 1 positive over the years listed.
| Season | Bucks | Button bucks | Does | County total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,508 | 208 | 1,239 | 2,955 |
| 2024 | 1,363 | 227 | 1,223 | 2,813 |
| 2023 | 1,615 | 279 | 1,492 | 3,386 |
| 2022 | 1,374 | 237 | 1,276 | 2,887 |
| 2021 | 1,554 | 248 | 1,221 | 3,023 |
| 2020 | 1,619 | 258 | 1,402 | 3,279 |
| Year | Spring | Public | Youth | Fall gun | Fall bow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 684 | 35 | 68 | – | – |
| 2025 | 627 | 43 | 58 | 49 | 25 |
| 2024 | 613 | 27 | 61 | 37 | 20 |
| 2023 | 607 | 45 | 46 | 33 | 37 |
| 2022 | 475 | – | 42 | 45 | 49 |
| 2021 | 458 | – | 43 | 43 | 51 |
| Year | Samples | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 15 | 0 |
| 2025 | 125 | 1 |
| 2024 | 112 | 0 |
| 2023 | 118 | 0 |
| 2022 | 481 | 0 |
| 2021 | 82 | 0 |
MDC 2025 deer harvest summary, MDC turkey harvest summaries and MDC CWD dashboard; earlier years from the yearly reports. Checked October 29, 2026.
Rocky Barrens Conservation Area: the surrounding public ground
The map pins Rocky Barrens Conservation Area with the 8 closest public areas, led by Little Sac Woods Conservation Area at 5.0 mi.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | County | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Sac Woods CA | Conservation area | 772 | Greene | 5.0 mi | north |
| Dale Sare CA | Conservation area | 320 | Greene | 5.5 mi | northeast |
| Bois D'Arc CA | Conservation area | 3,176 | Greene | 6.7 mi | west |
| Pleasant Hope CA | Conservation area | 1,106 | Polk | 9.6 mi | northeast |
| Phenix Access | Public access area | 155 | Greene | 10 mi | west |
| Fellows Lake (Springfield City Utilities) | Cooperative area | 820 | Greene | 10 mi | east |
| Springfield Nature Center | Nature center or range | 79 | Greene | 16 mi | southeast |
| Paris Springs Access | Public access area | 208 | Lawrence | 18 mi | southwest |
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 Rocky Barrens Conservation Area
The short run for gas and food is Ash Grove, 10 mi out. 170,596 people live in Springfield, the largest town within reach. Driving route: From Willard, take Route O east, then Farm Road 105 north. MDC permits and advice: Andy Dalton Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center, Ash Grove, 6.7 mi away.
| Town | County | 2024 population | Away | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ash Grove | Greene | 1,523 | 10 mi | west |
| Springfield | Greene | 170,596 | 10 mi | southeast |
| Pleasant Hope | Polk | 692 | 12 mi | northeast |
| Bolivar | Polk | 11,549 | 20 mi | north |
| Ozark | Christian | 23,248 | 22 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 Rocky Barrens Conservation Area
Sunrise in the Bootheel and in the Kansas City area can be 20 minutes apart, so use the adjusted times for Rocky Barrens Conservation Area.
| Day | Hunt | Sun up | Sun down | Big game window | Migratory window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2026 | Dove opener | 6:43 a.m. | 7:44 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 8:14 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 7:44 p.m. |
| Sep 15, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:55 a.m. | 7:22 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 7:52 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 7:22 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Fall firearms turkey | 7:10 a.m. | 6:56 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. to 7:26 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. to 6:56 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Middle Zone ducks | 6:47 a.m. | 5:07 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 5:37 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | November firearms opener | 6:55 a.m. | 5:01 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 5:31 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 5:01 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Alternative methods | 7:30 a.m. | 4:59 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 5:29 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Archery close | 7:30 a.m. | 5:17 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 5:47 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 5:17 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.
Rocky Barrens Conservation Area hunters: public range and clubs
Andy Dalton range (public, $5 fees) is 7 miles from Rocky Barrens Conservation Area. Beside it, two gun clubs within 30 miles.
From MDC area pages and the MDC Shooting Ranges layer, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 29, 2026.
A visual feel for Rocky Barrens Conservation Area
Rocky Barrens Conservation Area, quick questions
Permits needed for Rocky Barrens Conservation Area?
MDC permits by game: Small Game, Archer's, Firearms Any-Deer or Antlerless, Migratory Bird.
How large an area is Rocky Barrens Conservation Area?
In charge: Missouri Department of Conservation. Acres: 281.
Which weapons are legal for deer at Rocky Barrens Conservation Area?
Archery methods only. Antlerless permits are allowed.
Rocky Barrens Conservation Area: open to hunters?
It is open to hunting: deer, turkey, rabbit and squirrel, under statewide seasons and the area rules.
Is there mandatory CWD testing near Rocky Barrens Conservation Area?
Yes, sampling Nov. 14-15, plus the feed and mineral ban.
Are antlerless portions open near Rocky Barrens Conservation Area?
Up to 4 antlerless deer on firearms permits in Greene County; antlerless portions run in October and December.
Can I hunt bear on Rocky Barrens Conservation Area?
Greene County is in Bear Management Zone 3 (250 permits, quota 8); bear is not listed for this area.
Is fall turkey open at Rocky Barrens Conservation Area?
Archery and firearms for turkey; the October firearms season is open in the county.
Where is the next public ground after Rocky Barrens Conservation Area?
Closest public options are Little Sac Woods Conservation Area (5.0 mi), Dale Sare Conservation Area (5.5 mi) and Bois D'Arc Conservation Area (6.7 mi).
First and last shooting light at Rocky Barrens Conservation Area?
6:25 a.m. to 5:31 p.m. for deer on opening day; ducks end at 5:01 p.m..
Town nearest Rocky Barrens Conservation Area?
Ash Grove, 10 mi by straight line.
Rocky Barrens Conservation Area: confirm these first
Area rules, closures and managed hunt notices on Rocky Barrens 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: David Nichols (CC BY-SA 2.0); David Nichols (CC BY-SA 2.0); Jack Flanagan (CC BY 2.0).