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Conservation area · Kansas City Region
Hunt W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area
Conservation area in Pettis County, 282 acres, MDC Kansas City Region.
Photo: jbezdek (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Katy Trail Green Ridge TrailheadTrailhead · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Katy Trail Green Ridge Trailhead ParkingParking · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.5 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.
About W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area
At 282 acres, W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area is part of the public ground of Pettis County. Among the 11 conservation areas of Pettis County, it sits 6th for acres. The Lone Buffalo district (MDC Kansas City Region) handles habitat work on W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area.
MDC describes the area this way: The original 120 acres of this area was donated in 1987 by William R. Kearn. In 2011 an additional 162 acres were added. Intensive management has occurred to provide grassland habitat for a variety of wildlife species. High quality grasslands are important for many species. This area is managed for grassland diversity that provides habitat for a diverse group of plants and animals. Because less than one-half of one percent of our original prairie remains, some of these species have become increasingly rare. Area managers use prescribed fire, grazing, and other management practices to maintain healthy grasslands, simulate historic disturbances, and limit the negative impacts of invasive plants.
Hunted here: Deer, Black bear, Turkey, Rabbit, Quail.
From the agency record (Missouri Department of Conservation); checked October 29, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area
MDC rules for W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area
Area methods and permits for W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area, condensed from MDC.
| Species | Allowed | Permit note |
|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | Muzzleloader, archery | Archery only |
| Wild Turkey | Archery and firearms | – |
| Black Bear | Archery and firearms | Zone permit |
| Eastern Cottontail | Statewide methods | – |
| Northern Bobwhite Quail | Statewide methods | – |
Plan on muzzleloader and archery methods for deer at W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area; only archery antlerless permits may be used. The turkey rule on W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area reads archery and firearms. MDC lists black bear on W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area, archery and firearms, for hunters drawn for that zone. Antlerless code B applies to W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area, so archery antlerless permits only. Listed or not matters on MDC ground: W. R. Kearn Memorial 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 W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area
| Topic | Pettis 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; Pettis County is the unit for W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area, with a firearms antlerless limit of 4. The early (Oct. 9-11) and late (Dec. 5-13) antlerless portions are open in Pettis County. No grain, salt or mineral sites in Pettis County: the ban runs all year. For bear, Pettis 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.
W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area by season
These 15 rows are the 2026-27 seasons that fit W. R. Kearn Memorial 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 | 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 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 |
Use a muzzleloader in the firearms portions on W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area. 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 W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area
Totals are for the whole county.
Pettis County gave up 2,867 deer in 2025; the table runs back to 2020. In spring 2026, 271 turkeys were checked in Pettis County, 7 of them reported from public land. For CWD, Pettis County shows 0 positives over the years listed.
| Season | Bucks | Button bucks | Does | County total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,348 | 236 | 1,283 | 2,867 |
| 2024 | 1,358 | 236 | 1,413 | 3,007 |
| 2023 | 1,338 | 281 | 1,527 | 3,146 |
| 2022 | 1,444 | 268 | 1,369 | 3,081 |
| 2021 | 1,380 | 249 | 1,265 | 2,894 |
| 2020 | 1,356 | 273 | 1,230 | 2,859 |
| Year | Spring | Public | Youth | Fall gun | Fall bow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 271 | 7 | 28 | – | – |
| 2025 | 238 | 4 | 26 | 4 | 7 |
| 2024 | 219 | 9 | 17 | 3 | 8 |
| 2023 | 275 | 7 | 20 | 7 | 13 |
| 2022 | 219 | – | 19 | 10 | 13 |
| 2021 | 250 | – | 13 | 6 | 16 |
| Year | Samples | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | 0 |
| 2025 | 62 | 0 |
| 2024 | 88 | 0 |
| 2023 | 53 | 0 |
| 2022 | 48 | 0 |
| 2021 | 90 | 0 |
MDC 2025 deer harvest summary, MDC turkey harvest summaries and MDC CWD dashboard; earlier years from the yearly reports. Checked October 29, 2026.
W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area: the surrounding public ground
The map pins W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area with the 8 closest public areas, led by Bruns Tract at 1.0 mi.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | County | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruns Tract | Conservation area | – | Pettis | 1.0 mi | north |
| Bryson's Hope CA | Conservation area | 290 | Pettis | 1.1 mi | south |
| Hartwell CA | Conservation area | 165 | Pettis | 1.8 mi | northwest |
| J. N. Turkey Kearn Memorial WA | Conservation area | 1,675 | Johnson, Pettis | 3.9 mi | northwest |
| Grandfather Prairie CA | Conservation area | 80 | Pettis | 9.3 mi | east |
| Friendly Prairie CA | Conservation area | 40 | Pettis | 10 mi | east |
| Drovers Prairie CA | Conservation area | 80 | Pettis | 11 mi | southeast |
| Ionia Ridge CA | Conservation area | 233 | Benton | 11 mi | southeast |
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 W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area
The short run for gas and food is Green Ridge, 3.5 mi out. 22,310 people live in Sedalia, the largest town within reach. Driving route: From Green Ridge, take Route B west 3 miles, then Hope Dale Road south 1.30 miles. MDC permits and advice: JN Kearn Memorial Wildlife Area Field Office, Green Ridge, 4.4 mi away.
| Town | County | 2024 population | Away | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Ridge | Pettis | 599 | 3.5 mi | east |
| Calhoun | Henry | 405 | 12 mi | southwest |
| Sedalia | Pettis | 22,310 | 15 mi | northeast |
| Warrensburg | Johnson | 19,998 | 18 mi | northwest |
| Clinton | Henry | 9,449 | 23 mi | southwest |
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 W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area
Sunrise in the Bootheel and in the Kansas City area can be 20 minutes apart, so use the adjusted times for W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area.
| Day | Hunt | Sun up | Sun down | Big game window | Migratory window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2026 | Dove opener | 6:42 a.m. | 7:43 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 8:13 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 7:43 p.m. |
| Sep 15, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:54 a.m. | 7:21 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 7:51 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 7:21 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Fall firearms turkey | 7:09 a.m. | 6:55 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 7:25 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 6:55 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Middle Zone ducks | 6:46 a.m. | 5:06 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 5:36 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 5:06 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | November firearms opener | 6:54 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Alternative methods | 7:29 a.m. | 4:58 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 5:28 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 4:58 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Archery close | 7:29 a.m. | 5:16 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 5:46 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 5:16 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.
Before W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area: public and club ranges
Ralph and Martha Perry Memorial CA range (public, free) is 21 miles from W. R. Kearn Memorial 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 W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area
Common W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area questions
Is fall turkey open at W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area?
Archery and firearms for turkey; the October firearms season is open in the county.
Is there mandatory CWD testing near W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area?
No mandatory sampling, plus the feed and mineral ban.
First and last shooting light at W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area?
6:25 a.m. to 5:31 p.m. for deer on opening day; ducks end at 5:01 p.m..
Can I hunt bear on W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area?
Pettis County is in Bear Management Zone 3 (250 permits, quota 8); the area lists bear.
Town nearest W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area?
Green Ridge, 3.5 mi by straight line.
Where is the next public ground after W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area?
Closest public options are Bruns Tract (1.0 mi), Bryson's Hope Conservation Area (1.1 mi) and Hartwell Conservation Area (1.8 mi).
Permits needed for W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area?
MDC permits by game: Small Game, Archer's, Firearms Any-Deer or Antlerless, Migratory Bird.
Which agency runs W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area?
In charge: Missouri Department of Conservation. Acres: 282.
Which weapons are legal for deer at W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area?
Muzzleloader and archery methods. Only archery antlerless permits may be used.
W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area: open to hunters?
It is open to hunting: deer, black bear, turkey, rabbit and quail, under statewide seasons and the area rules.
Are antlerless portions open near W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area?
Up to 4 antlerless deer on firearms permits in Pettis County; antlerless portions run in October and December.
W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area: confirm these first
Area rules, closures and managed hunt notices on W. R. Kearn Memorial 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: jbezdek (CC BY 2.0); Yellowstone National Park (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Jack Flanagan (CC BY 2.0).