Carrick W. Davidson - Robert G. Paris Wildlife Area: hunting and access
Carrick W. Davidson - Robert G. Paris Wildlife Area is 269 acres of MDC land in Howell County, 6 miles from West Plains. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery only, antlerless permits allowed). Hunters checked 5,474 deer in Howell 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 areasOther state landCounty, city and regional landCarrick W. Davidson - Robert G. Paris Wildlife AreaCounty lineHighway
| Size | 269 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Howell County |
| Deer harvest unit | Howell County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Bear, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel, Dove and Quail |
| MDC area number | 9115 |
| MDC region | Ozark |
| Nearest towns | West Plains (6 mi), Brandsville (9 mi) and Pomona (10 mi) |
What is Carrick W. Davidson - Robert G. Paris Wildlife Area like?
Carrick W. Davidson/Robert G. Paris Wildlife Area is located in east-central Howell County. It is about seven miles northeast of West Plains, off of Route EE.
Of the 270 acres that comprise the Carrick W. Davidson/Robert G. Paris Wildlife Area, 200 acres are mixed warm-season grasses, old fields and crop land. The remainder of the land is wooded. There is a two-acre pond and three smaller ponds on the property. Middle Fork Creek meanders through the area. The area was donated to the Missouri Department of Conservation by Mr. and Mrs. Carrick W. Davidson and the family of the late Robert Paris. They started purchasing the property in 1955. Their primary purpose for the property was recreation. The property was managed for wildlife, primarily quail. They ran cattle on the property, but never at the expense of quail. Present management techniques include converting cool-season grasses to warm-season species, prescribed burning and cropping to maintain early successional habitat. Area facilities include two parking lots.
In MDC's words, from the Carrick W. Davidson - Robert G. Paris Wildlife Area page.
What can you hunt on Carrick W. Davidson - Robert G. Paris Wildlife Area?
MDC's page for Carrick W. Davidson - Robert G. Paris Wildlife Area lists: Deer: archery only, antlerless permits allowed; Bear: archery and firearms; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel; Dove; Quail.
What are the rules on Carrick W. Davidson - Robert G. Paris Wildlife 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 Carrick W. Davidson - Robert G. Paris Wildlife Area?
Carrick W. Davidson - Robert G. Paris Wildlife Area lies in Howell County. Hunters checked 5,474 deer in Howell County in 2025, against 4,476 in 2024.
| County | Carrick W. Davidson - Robert G. Paris Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howell County | 269 | 5,474 | 4,476 | 6,346 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Carrick W. Davidson - Robert G. Paris Wildlife Area?
MDC's directions: From West Plains, take Highway 17 northeast 5.50 miles, then Route EE east 0.75 mile, and south on County Road 3010.
Nearest towns: West Plains (6 miles), Brandsville (9 miles), Pomona (10 miles) and Thomasville (12 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MO 17 and US 160.
What other public land is near Carrick W. Davidson - Robert G. Paris Wildlife Area?
Public land within 3 miles of Carrick W. Davidson - Robert G. Paris Wildlife Area
Counting Carrick W. Davidson - Robert G. Paris Wildlife Area itself, 269 of the 23,913 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (1.1%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 269 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Carrick W. Davidson - Robert G. Paris Wildlife Area?
In Howell County, 6 miles from West Plains.
Can you deer hunt on Carrick W. Davidson - Robert G. Paris Wildlife Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery only, antlerless permits allowed.
How much public land is around Carrick W. Davidson - Robert G. Paris Wildlife Area?
269 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Carrick W. Davidson - Robert G. Paris Wildlife Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: MDC, Carrick W. Davidson - Robert G. Paris Wildlife 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.