Coldwater Conservation Area: hunting and access
Coldwater Conservation Area is 11,723 acres of MDC land in Wayne County, 8 miles from Greenville. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery and firearms, 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 forestState parks and historic sitesColdwater Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 11,723 acres (10,804 by MDC's page) in 4 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Wayne County |
| Deer harvest unit | Wayne County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Bear, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel and Dove |
| MDC area number | 4634 |
| MDC region | Southeast |
| MDC managed hunts | deer and turkey |
| Camping (MDC) | open camping - walk-in/float-in/backpack and designated camping sites |
| Nearest towns | Greenville (8 mi), Des Arc (11 mi) and Marquand (11 mi) |
What is Coldwater Conservation Area like?
This area is mainly forested with 120 acres of field management.This area has unimproved roads that are open to public vehicles. These roads may not be shown on area maps or posted with signs. Road conditions may vary.
In MDC's words, from the Coldwater Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Coldwater Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Coldwater Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery and firearms, archery antlerless permits only; Bear: archery and firearms; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel; Dove. It also lists managed hunts for deer and turkey; MDC's managed deer hunt list has the dates and how to apply.
What are the rules on Coldwater 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 Coldwater Conservation Area?
Coldwater Conservation Area lies in Wayne County. Hunters checked 4,081 deer in Wayne County in 2025, against 2,680 in 2024.
| County | Coldwater Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne County | 11,723 | 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 Coldwater Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Greenville, take Highway 67 north approximately 13 miles to Trail 607 to enter the main tract's west side. Other tracts can be accessed via Highway 34 east of Silva, MO.
Nearest towns: Greenville (8 miles), Des Arc (11 miles), Marquand (11 miles) and Zalma (12 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 67, MO 34 and MO 143.
What other public land is near Coldwater Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Coldwater Access: 78 acres, 1.7 miles away
- Graves Mountain Conservation Area: 3,275 acres, 2.3 miles away
- Iron Bridge Access: 66 acres, 2.7 miles away
- Castor River Conservation Area: 10,417 acres, 2.9 miles away
- Wappapello Lake Management Lands: 1,892 acres, 4.5 miles away
- Marquand Access: 72 acres, 8.9 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Coldwater Conservation Area
Counting Coldwater Conservation Area itself, 12,197 of the 101,423 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (12%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 12,197 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Coldwater Conservation Area?
In Wayne County, 8 miles from Greenville.
Can you deer hunt on Coldwater Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery and firearms, archery antlerless permits only.
How much public land is around Coldwater Conservation Area?
12,197 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Coldwater Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Coldwater Access (1.7 miles).
Get a Missouri hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for Missouri are coming. Join the list and you'll hear first. The first 50 hunters in each new state get their plan free.
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, Coldwater 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.