Bilby Ranch Lake Conservation Area: hunting and access
Bilby Ranch Lake Conservation Area is 5,089 acres of MDC land in Nodaway County, 2 miles from Quitman. MDC lists deer hunting here (muzzleloader and archery, antlerless permits not allowed). Hunters checked 1,433 deer in Nodaway County in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: MDC's conservation area data, read 2026-10. Harvest: MDC deer harvest summaries, 2021 to 2025.
MDC conservation areasBilby Ranch Lake Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 5,089 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Nodaway County |
| Deer harvest unit | Nodaway County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Rabbit, Dove and Quail |
| MDC area number | 8733 |
| MDC region | Northwest |
| Camping (MDC) | individual campsites |
| Nearest towns | Quitman (2 mi), Skidmore (4 mi) and Burlington Junction (6 mi) |
What is Bilby Ranch Lake Conservation Area like?
Bilby Ranch Lake Conservation Area is in Nodaway County. Purchased by the Conservation Department in 1987, this tract was once part of a large ranch owned by J. S. Bilby, who came to northwest Missouri in 1832 and eventually purchased 26,000 acres of land. By 1900 the Bilby Ranch was one of the largest livestock operations in the U.S. and remained an important cattle operation until 1936, when it folded, thanks in large part to the Great Depression.
Because of its large size, Bilby Ranch Lake Conservation Area is managed for a wide range of game and non-game wildlife species. However, emphasis is placed on ring-necked pheasant management. The area features 150 acres of surface water, including 110-acre Bilby Ranch Lake and many smaller ponds. Angler facilities at the lake include a concrete boat ramp, a floating fishing dock, fish cleaning station, and a privy of which all are disabled accessible.
In MDC's words, from the Bilby Ranch Lake Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Bilby Ranch Lake Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Bilby Ranch Lake Conservation Area lists: Deer: muzzleloader and archery, antlerless permits not allowed; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Dove; Quail.
What are the rules on Bilby Ranch Lake Conservation Area?
Dove Hunting: Use or possession of lead shot is prohibited for hunting doves on this area.
Every conservation area also follows MDC's standard rules in Chapter 11 of the Wildlife Code; the area's full rules are on MDC's site.
How many deer are taken around Bilby Ranch Lake Conservation Area?
Bilby Ranch Lake Conservation Area lies in Nodaway County. Hunters checked 1,433 deer in Nodaway County in 2025, against 1,489 in 2024.
| County | Bilby Ranch Lake Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nodaway County | 5,089 | 1,433 | 1,489 | 1,433 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Bilby Ranch Lake Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Maryville, take Highway 46 west 14 miles to the area.Starting on October 31, Highway 46 is to close east of Bilby Ranch and will remain closed for some time while they replace the bridge of the Nodaway River. Anyone coming from the east will need to find an alternative route at Highway 113.
Nearest towns: Quitman (2 miles), Skidmore (4 miles), Burlington Junction (6 miles) and Maitland (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MO 46, MO 113 and US 136.
What other public land is near Bilby Ranch Lake Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Tarkio Prairie Conservation Area: 633 acres, 8.2 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Bilby Ranch Lake Conservation Area
Counting Bilby Ranch Lake Conservation Area itself, 5,089 of the 45,376 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (11.2%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 5,089 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Bilby Ranch Lake Conservation Area?
In Nodaway County, 2 miles from Quitman.
Can you deer hunt on Bilby Ranch Lake Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: muzzleloader and archery, antlerless permits not allowed.
How much public land is around Bilby Ranch Lake Conservation Area?
5,089 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Bilby Ranch Lake Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Tarkio Prairie Conservation Area (8.2 miles).
Get a Missouri hunt plan when they open
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Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Missouri included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: MDC, Bilby Ranch Lake Conservation Area; MDC conservation area boundaries.
- Boundary and acres: MDC's map layer above. Surrounding public land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public) and MDC conservation area boundaries.
- Deer harvest: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
FilledTag is not part of the Missouri Department of Conservation. Check MDC's rules and posted signs before you go.