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Conservation area · Ozark Region
Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area, a hunter guide
Conservation area in Pulaski County, 178 acres, MDC Ozark Region.
Photo: Richard Ricciardi (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 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.
Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area basics
At 178 acres, Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area is part of the public ground of Pulaski County. Among the 2 conservation areas of Pulaski County, it sits 2nd for acres. The Northern Ozarks district (MDC Ozark Region) handles habitat work on Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area.
The atlas entry for Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area also shows fishing (trout, white bass, sunfish, catfish).
MDC describes the area this way: This area is a mixture of old fields that are managed by annual disturbance and mature bottomland hardwoods in the riparian corridor along the Roubidoux. The area offers terrestrial recreational opportunities, as well as public access to Roubidoux Creek.
Hunted here: 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 Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area
How Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area may be hunted
Read these before a first trip to Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area; posted signs still govern.
| Species | Allowed | Permit note |
|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | Archery only | 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 | – |
MDC allows archery methods only for deer on Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area; antlerless permits may be used. The turkey rule on Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area reads archery and firearms. MDC lists black bear on Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area, archery and firearms, for hunters drawn for that zone. In the booklet table Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area carries antlerless code A: antlerless permits allowed. Listed or not matters on MDC ground: Roubidoux Creek 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 Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area
| Topic | Pulaski 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 3 |
| Duck zone | Middle |
There are no deer units in Missouri; Pulaski County is the unit for Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area, with a firearms antlerless limit of 4. The early (Oct. 9-11) and late (Dec. 5-13) antlerless portions are open in Pulaski County. No grain, salt or mineral sites in Pulaski County: the ban runs all year. For bear, Pulaski 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.
2026 Fall Deer and Turkey booklet county rules, MDC CWD rules and 2026 bear digest; checked October 29, 2026.
Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area by season
These 11 rows are the 2026-27 seasons that fit Roubidoux Creek 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
Gun portions are dropped: deer on Roubidoux Creek 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 Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area
Totals are for the whole county.
Pulaski County gave up 2,501 deer in 2025; the table runs back to 2020. In spring 2026, 502 turkeys were checked in Pulaski County, 114 of them reported from public land. For CWD, Pulaski County shows 2 positives over the years listed (first year 2020-2021).
| Season | Bucks | Button bucks | Does | County total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,241 | 219 | 1,041 | 2,501 |
| 2024 | 940 | 193 | 952 | 2,085 |
| 2023 | 1,354 | 271 | 1,403 | 3,028 |
| 2022 | 1,102 | 247 | 1,022 | 2,371 |
| 2021 | 1,332 | 290 | 1,152 | 2,774 |
| 2020 | 909 | 281 | 1,022 | 2,212 |
| Year | Spring | Public | Youth | Fall gun | Fall bow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 502 | 114 | 47 | – | – |
| 2025 | 635 | 191 | 42 | 25 | 8 |
| 2024 | 504 | 114 | 48 | 23 | 8 |
| 2023 | 586 | 155 | 32 | 43 | 26 |
| 2022 | 420 | – | 29 | 32 | 17 |
| 2021 | 457 | – | 40 | 44 | 38 |
| Year | Samples | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 38 | 0 |
| 2024 | 184 | 0 |
| 2023 | 620 | 1 |
| 2022 | 552 | 0 |
| 2021 | 720 | 1 |
MDC 2025 deer harvest summary, MDC turkey harvest summaries and MDC CWD dashboard; earlier years from the yearly reports. Checked October 29, 2026.
Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area: the surrounding public ground
The map pins Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area with the 8 closest public areas, led by Fort Leonard Wood Towersite at 4.7 mi.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | County | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Leonard Wood Towersite | Towersite | 67 | Pulaski | 4.7 mi | east |
| Gasconade Hills CA | Conservation area | 371 | Pulaski | 5.9 mi | northeast |
| Fort Leonard Wood | Army post | 60,817 | Pulaski | 9.6 mi | south |
| Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District | Ranger district | 210,393 | Phelps, Texas | 13 mi | south |
| Bohigian CA | Conservation area | 437 | Phelps | 14 mi | east |
| Madden Ford Access | Public access area | 164 | Miller | 16 mi | northwest |
| Rinquelin Trail Lake CA | Conservation area | 286 | Maries | 17 mi | north |
| Clifty Creek CA | Conservation area | 256 | Maries | 17 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.
Who is nearby at Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area
The short run for gas and food is Waynesville, 1.8 mi out. Driving route: From Waynesville, take Highway 17 north 1 mile, turn east on Pippin Rd and follow 1/2 mile to the parking area. MDC permits and advice: Rolla Office, Rolla, 24 mi away.
| Town | County | 2024 population | Away | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waynesville | Pulaski | 5,493 | 1.8 mi | southwest |
| Fort Leonard Wood | Pulaski | – | 7.0 mi | southeast |
| Richland | Pulaski | 1,729 | 11 mi | west |
| Newburg | Phelps | 336 | 17 mi | east |
| Plato | Texas | 89 | 23 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.
Shooting hours in Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area
Sunrise in the Bootheel and in the Kansas City area can be 20 minutes apart, so use the adjusted times for Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area.
| Day | Hunt | Sun up | Sun down | Big game window | Migratory window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2026 | Dove opener | 6:38 a.m. | 7:39 p.m. | 6:08 a.m. to 8:09 p.m. | 6:08 a.m. to 7:39 p.m. |
| Sep 15, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:50 a.m. | 7:17 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 7:47 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 7:17 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Fall firearms turkey | 7:05 a.m. | 6:51 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 7:21 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 6:51 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Middle Zone ducks | 6:42 a.m. | 5:02 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 5:32 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 5:02 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | November firearms opener | 6:50 a.m. | 4:56 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 5:26 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 4:56 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Alternative methods | 7:25 a.m. | 4:54 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 5:24 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 4:54 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Archery close | 7:25 a.m. | 5:12 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 5:42 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 5:12 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.
Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area hunters: public range and clubs
Beaver Creek Conservation Area Archery Range (public, free) is 22 miles from Roubidoux Creek 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 Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area
Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area, quick questions
Are antlerless portions open near Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area?
Up to 4 antlerless deer on firearms permits in Pulaski County; antlerless portions run in October and December.
Which weapons are legal for deer at Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area?
Archery methods only. Antlerless permits are allowed.
Is fall turkey open at Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area?
Archery and firearms for turkey; the October firearms season is open in the county.
Is there mandatory CWD testing near Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area?
No mandatory sampling, plus the feed and mineral ban.
First and last shooting light at Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area?
6:20 a.m. to 5:26 p.m. for deer on opening day; ducks end at 4:56 p.m..
Can I hunt bear on Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area?
Pulaski County is in Bear Management Zone 3 (250 permits, quota 8); the area lists bear.
Town nearest Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area?
Waynesville, 1.8 mi by straight line.
Where is the next public ground after Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area?
Closest public options are Fort Leonard Wood Towersite (4.7 mi), Gasconade Hills Conservation Area (5.9 mi) and Fort Leonard Wood (9.6 mi).
Open hours at Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area?
Open 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.. No camping is listed.
How large an area is Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area?
In charge: Missouri Department of Conservation. Acres: 178.
Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area: open to hunters?
It is open to hunting: deer, black bear, turkey, rabbit, squirrel, dove and quail, under statewide seasons and the area rules.
Permits needed for Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area?
MDC permits by game: Small Game, Archer's, Firearms Any-Deer or Antlerless, Migratory Bird.
Roubidoux Creek Conservation Area: confirm these first
Area rules, closures and managed hunt notices on Roubidoux Creek 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: Richard Ricciardi (CC BY 2.0); Jason Chung (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain).