Bradley A. Hammer Memorial Conservation Area: hunting and access
Bradley A. Hammer Memorial Conservation Area is 331 acres of MDC land in Wayne County, next to Williamsville. MDC lists deer hunting here (muzzleloader and archery, archery antlerless permits only). Hunters checked 4,081 deer in Wayne 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 areasNational forestBradley A. Hammer Memorial Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 331 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Wayne County |
| Deer harvest unit | Wayne County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Bear, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel, Dove and Quail |
| MDC area number | 9629 |
| MDC region | Southeast |
| Camping (MDC) | individual campsites |
| Nearest towns | Williamsville (next to it), Mill Spring (9 mi) and Ellsinore (10 mi) |
What is Bradley A. Hammer Memorial Conservation Area like?
Bradley A. Hammer Memorial Conservation Area is in Wayne County, one-half mile south of Williamsville and 10 miles northwest of Poplar Bluff. The area borders the Black River and includes 1.4 miles of river frontage along its northern border. Visitors can access the 344-acre area from Wayne County Road 424.
The property for this area was donated to the Conservation Department by Gordon and Shirley Garrey as a memorial to their deceased grandson. Approximately 85 percent of the area is upland forest and riparian forest along Black River. The remaining acreage is cropland and old fields, which are now being managed for upland game. The area supports numerous game and non-game wildlife species, including deer, turkey, squirrels and raccoons. Wading and shore birds can be seen along Black River. The area provides a primitive boat access to Black River.
In MDC's words, from the Bradley A. Hammer Memorial Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Bradley A. Hammer Memorial Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Bradley A. Hammer Memorial Conservation Area lists: Deer: muzzleloader and archery, archery antlerless permits only; Bear: archery only; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel; Dove; Quail.
What are the rules on Bradley A. Hammer Memorial Conservation Area?
MDC's standard conservation area rules (Chapter 11 of the Wildlife Code) apply; the area's rules on MDC's site list any it adds.
How many deer are taken around Bradley A. Hammer Memorial Conservation Area?
Bradley A. Hammer Memorial Conservation Area lies in Wayne County. Hunters checked 4,081 deer in Wayne County in 2025, against 2,680 in 2024.
| County | Bradley A. Hammer Memorial Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne County | 331 | 4,081 | 2,680 | 4,014 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Bradley A. Hammer Memorial Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Williamsville, take Highway 49 west, then County Road 417 south, then County Road 419 west, and County Road 424 north.
Nearest towns: Williamsville (next to it), Mill Spring (9 miles), Ellsinore (10 miles) and Greenville (13 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MO 49.
What other public land is near Bradley A. Hammer Memorial Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- University Forest Conservation Area: 7,158 acres, 8.1 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Bradley A. Hammer Memorial Conservation Area
Counting Bradley A. Hammer Memorial Conservation Area itself, 12,936 of the 24,121 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (53.6%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National forest | 12,604 |
| MDC conservation areas | 332 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Bradley A. Hammer Memorial Conservation Area?
In Wayne County, next to Williamsville.
Can you deer hunt on Bradley A. Hammer Memorial Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: muzzleloader and archery, archery antlerless permits only.
How much public land is around Bradley A. Hammer Memorial Conservation Area?
12,936 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Bradley A. Hammer Memorial Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is University Forest Conservation Area (8.1 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: MDC, Bradley A. Hammer Memorial 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.