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Conservation area · 2026-27
Union Ridge Conservation Area hunting guide
What MDC publishes about this conservation area in Adair County and 2 neighboring counties, in one page.
Photo: David Wilson (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Union Ridge Conservation Area
Union Ridge Conservation Area: acres, manager and game
The record gives Union Ridge Conservation Area 8,263 acres in Adair, Putnam and Sullivan counties. Of 5 conservation areas in Adair County, Union Ridge Conservation Area is number 1 by acreage. It belongs to the Green Hills management district, MDC Northeast Region.
Other uses MDC lists for Union Ridge Conservation Area: camping (open camping-walk/float/backpack(no deer/turkey), designated camping sites) and fishing (sunfish, catfish, crappie, black bass).
From the MDC area description: Union Ridge Conservation Area is located in Adair, Putnam and Sullivan counties. Bisected by Spring Creek, this 8,262-acre area is a mosaic of woodlands, grasslands, old fields, prairie, savanna, and forest. This conservation area was created in 1989, when the Conservation Department purchased the bulk of the property from Mutual Assurance of New York. The area had mainly been used for cattle ranching and was known as Henley Ranch and later as Spring Creek Ranch. The area takes its name from a ridge on the northern portion of the area, which was called Union Ridge during the Civil War. There was also an active U.S. Post Office from 1864 to 1884 called Union Ridge. A 1,769-acre portion of the area has been designated as the Spring Creek Ranch Natural Area. This area is being managed to restore prairie and savanna communities. Located in the south-central portion of the area and bisected by Route D, these areas were dominated by fescue when the area was purchased. Through the careful use of prescribed burning, they are being restored to a diverse mix of native grasses and wildflowers.
Game species: Deer, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel, Dove, Quail, Waterfowl.
- White-tailed Deer
- Wild Turkey
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Fox Squirrel
- Mourning Dove
- Northern Bobwhite Quail
- Ducks
From the agency record (Missouri Department of Conservation); checked October 29, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Union Ridge Conservation Area
Neighbors of Union Ridge Conservation Area on the map
Count on Dark Hollow Natural Area as the first fallback, 3.3 mi west of Union Ridge Conservation Area.
| Public land | Type | Acres | County | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Hollow Natural Area | Natural area | 315 | Sullivan | 3.3 mi | west |
| Shoemaker CA | Conservation area | 259 | Adair | 4.1 mi | southeast |
| Morris Prairie CA | Conservation area | 523 | Putnam, Sullivan | 5.8 mi | northwest |
| Mineral Hills CA | Conservation area | 2,174 | Putnam | 8.9 mi | northwest |
| Samuel Ziegler Prairie Tract (MRAP) | MRAP tract | 197 | Sullivan | 11 mi | south |
| Sears Community Lake | Cooperative area | 83 | Sullivan | 11 mi | west |
| Big Creek CA | Conservation area | 1,064 | Adair | 16 mi | southeast |
| Montgomery Woods CA | Conservation area | 348 | Adair, Macon | 19 mi | south |
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.
Union Ridge Conservation Area hunting methods
Union Ridge 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 | – |
| Eastern Cottontail | Statewide methods | – |
| Gray Squirrel | Statewide methods | – |
| Northern Bobwhite Quail | Statewide methods | – |
| Mourning Dove | Statewide methods | – |
| Ducks | Open Hunting | Nontoxic shot |
What the Code adds for Union Ridge Conservation Area
- Equestrian use may be authorized by special use permit.
MDC allows archery and firearms for deer on Union Ridge Conservation Area; antlerless permits may be used. Turkey hunters may use archery and firearms here. Union Ridge 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 Union Ridge 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 Union Ridge Conservation Area
Union Ridge Conservation Area gets 22 dated rows once the Adair 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Teal | September teal | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl | Youth waterfowl days | North Zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Ducks and coots | Regular ducks | North Zone | Oct 31, 2026 | Dec 29, 2026 | |
| Early Canada goose | Early Canada goose | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | Statewide | Nov 11, 2026 | Feb 6, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Conservation order | Statewide | Feb 7, 2027 | Apr 30, 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.
Union Ridge Conservation Area dove ground
Dove hunters will find Union Ridge Conservation Area on the MDC dove area list. Missouri dove dates are Sep 1, 2026 to Nov 29, 2026.
MDC 2026 dove field layer and Dove Management Areas; checked October 29, 2026.
Waterfowl at Union Ridge Conservation Area
MDC lists Union Ridge Conservation Area as open waterfowl hunting, with no reservation or draw. North Zone dates apply to Union Ridge Conservation Area per the 2021-2025 layer; read the digest for the new line wording. No lead shot for ducks, geese or coots.
| Segment | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Youth waterfowl days | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 |
| Regular ducks | Oct 31, 2026 | Dec 29, 2026 |
2026-2027 Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Digest, managed areas; area page; checked October 29, 2026.
Which county rules govern Union Ridge Conservation Area
| Rule | Adair County | Putnam County | Sullivan County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firearms antlerless limit | 4 deer | 4 deer | 4 deer |
| Antlerless portions | Open | Open | Open |
| CWD sampling Nov. 14-15 | No | No | No |
| Feed and mineral ban | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Share the Harvest CWD test | Required | Required | Required |
| Fall firearms turkey | Open | Open | Open |
| Dogs, November portion | No rule | No rule | No rule |
| Elk county | No | No | No |
| Bear zone | None | None | None |
| Duck zone | North | North | North |
Missouri sets deer rules county by county, so Union Ridge Conservation Area follows Adair County: up to 4 antlerless deer on firearms permits. Adair County opens for both antlerless portions this year. Adair 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. The table splits the rules by county for Union Ridge Conservation Area.
2026 Fall Deer and Turkey booklet county rules, MDC CWD rules and 2026 bear digest; checked October 29, 2026.
Union Ridge Conservation Area town and service list
Green City lies closest, about 5.8 mi as the crow flies. Kirksville counts 17,841 residents, more than any other town listed. How MDC says to drive in: From Green Castle, take Route D north 2.50 miles. Need MDC staff? Northeast Regional Office in Kirksville is 19 mi out.
| Nearest towns | County | Population | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green City | Sullivan | 570 | 5.8 mi | southwest |
| Unionville | Putnam | 1,668 | 13 mi | northwest |
| Milan | Sullivan | 1,749 | 15 mi | southwest |
| Kirksville | Adair | 17,841 | 18 mi | southeast |
| Lancaster | Schuyler | 679 | 23 mi | northeast |
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.
Union Ridge Conservation Area: deer, turkey and CWD by year
County figures, the smallest unit MDC publishes.
The county total for 2025 was 2,639 deer (1,344 antlered bucks), the closest MDC figure for Union Ridge Conservation Area. 62 public-land birds out of 723 in spring 2026, Adair County. 12 positive deers in Adair County in the sample years shown; CWD was first found there in 2014-2015.
| Permit year | Antlered bucks | Button bucks | Does | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,344 | 207 | 1,088 | 2,639 |
| 2024 | 1,258 | 247 | 1,322 | 2,827 |
| 2023 | 1,489 | 206 | 1,128 | 2,823 |
| 2022 | 1,389 | 197 | 1,141 | 2,727 |
| 2021 | 1,363 | 187 | 1,016 | 2,566 |
| 2020 | 1,378 | 246 | 1,104 | 2,728 |
| Year | Spring harvest | Public land share | Youth weekend | Fall firearms | Fall archery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 723 | 62 | 65 | – | – |
| 2025 | 537 | 41 | 56 | 26 | 25 |
| 2024 | 609 | 49 | 42 | 33 | 20 |
| 2023 | 520 | 57 | 26 | 27 | 17 |
| 2022 | 401 | – | 29 | 33 | 24 |
| 2021 | 387 | – | 17 | 23 | 19 |
| Season | Tested | Positives |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 0 |
| 2025 | 160 | 0 |
| 2024 | 841 | 4 |
| 2023 | 1,036 | 3 |
| 2022 | 940 | 3 |
| 2021 | 850 | 2 |
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 Union Ridge Conservation Area
The times below start from the MDC Jefferson City table and add 3 minutes for Union Ridge Conservation Area, as the booklet directs.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer, bear, elk | Ducks, doves, geese |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2026 | Dove opener | 6:40 a.m. | 7:41 p.m. | 6:10 a.m. to 8:11 p.m. | 6:10 a.m. to 7:41 p.m. |
| Sep 15, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:52 a.m. | 7:19 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 7:49 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 7:19 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Fall firearms turkey | 7:07 a.m. | 6:53 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 7:23 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 6:53 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Middle Zone ducks | 6:44 a.m. | 5:04 p.m. | 6:14 a.m. to 5:34 p.m. | 6:14 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | November firearms opener | 6:52 a.m. | 4:58 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 5:28 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 4:58 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Alternative methods | 7:27 a.m. | 4:56 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 5:26 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 4:56 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Archery close | 7:27 a.m. | 5:14 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 5:44 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 5:14 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 Union Ridge Conservation Area
Union Ridge Conservation Area hunters: public range and clubs
From Union Ridge Conservation Area, Sugar Creek CA range is the nearest MDC or other public range (18 miles).
From MDC area pages and the MDC Shooting Ranges layer, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 29, 2026.
Union Ridge Conservation Area questions with sourced answers
Is Union Ridge Conservation Area open for hunting this season?
Yes. MDC lists deer, turkey, rabbit, squirrel, dove, quail and waterfowl on Union Ridge Conservation Area, and it is on the deer list.
Is Union Ridge Conservation Area archery only for deer?
Plan on archery and firearms. Antlerless permits are allowed.
What is the antlerless limit for Union Ridge Conservation Area?
Adair County sets a firearms antlerless fill limit of 4, and its antlerless portions are open.
Does the feed ban cover Union Ridge Conservation Area?
For Adair County, sampling is not required and the feed ban applies.
What turkey rules apply on Union Ridge Conservation Area?
Turkey methods: archery and firearms. Fall firearms turkey (Oct. 1-31) is open in Adair County.
Is duck hunting allowed on Union Ridge Conservation Area?
Yes: open hunting, North Zone season dates.
How long is the legal day at Union Ridge Conservation Area in mid-November?
From 6:23 a.m. until 5:29 p.m. on Nov. 14, by the MDC table with the longitude correction.
Closest public alternatives to Union Ridge Conservation Area?
The three nearest: Dark Hollow Natural Area (3.3 mi), Shoemaker Conservation Area (4.1 mi) and Morris Prairie CA (5.8 mi).
Where do I buy gas near Union Ridge Conservation Area?
About 5.8 mi to Green City.
How large an area is Union Ridge Conservation Area?
Roughly 8,263 acres, looked after by Missouri Department of Conservation.
Union Ridge Conservation Area hours and camping?
MDC lists camping.
What paperwork covers a hunt at Union Ridge Conservation Area?
Buy the matching Missouri permit (Missouri calls them permits); waterfowl also need the federal duck stamp.
Leaving for Union Ridge Conservation Area?
Missouri sells permits, not licenses: buy the right one before you hunt Union Ridge Conservation Area, and wear hunter orange in the firearms portions.
Sources: source · source · source · source · source; regulations from the 2026 Fall Deer and Turkey booklet. Checked October 29, 2026.
Other photos on this page: USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Joseph Gage (CC BY-SA 2.0); USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0).