Corning Conservation Area: hunting and access
Corning Conservation Area is 1,999 acres of MDC land in Holt and Atchison counties, next to Corning. MDC lists deer hunting here (muzzleloader and archery, antlerless permits not allowed). Hunters checked 849 deer in Holt 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 areasCorning Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 1,999 acres (1,879 by MDC's page) in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| Counties | Holt County and Atchison County |
| Deer harvest unit | Holt County, Atchison County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Rabbit, Dove and Quail |
| MDC area number | 200222 |
| MDC region | Northwest |
| Camping (MDC) | designated camping sites |
| Nearest towns | Corning (next to it), Craig (5 mi) and Fairfax (7 mi) |
What is Corning Conservation Area like?
The west boundary of this area adjoins the Deroin Bend Conservation Area. The United States Army Corps of Engineers has purchased this area as part of the Missouri River Mitigation Project. The mitigation project has been designed to enhance fish and wildlife habitat along the Missouri River.
The area is managed through a cooperative effort between the Corps of Engineers and the Missouri Department of Conservation. This area is managed for a variety of game and non-game species of fish and wildlife. Rich bottomland soils here produce a variety of wetland vegetation and bottomland timber. Management practices include reforestation, prescribed burning, and opportunistic management of wetlands.
In MDC's words, from the Corning Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Corning Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Corning Conservation Area lists: Deer: muzzleloader and archery, antlerless permits not allowed; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Dove; Quail.
What are the rules on Corning Conservation Area?
Hunting: Nontoxic shot is required for all hunting with a shotgun on this area. Use or possession of lead shot is prohibited.
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 Corning Conservation Area?
Corning Conservation Area lies in 2 counties. Hunters checked 849 deer in Holt County in 2025, against 846 in 2024.
| County | Corning Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holt County | 1,885 | 849 | 846 | 835 |
| Atchison County | 113 | 540 | 575 | 562 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Corning Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Corning, take Highway 111 northwest 1 mile, then turn on Atchison/Holt county gravel road west (left).
Nearest towns: Corning (next to it), Craig (5 miles), Fairfax (7 miles) and Rock Port (10 miles). Highways within 5 miles: I-29, MO 111 and US 59.
What other public land is near Corning Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Deroin Bend Conservation Area: 1,218 acres, next to it
- H. F. Thurnau Conservation Area: 2,476 acres, 2.7 miles away
- Aspinwall Bend: 704 acres, 6.2 miles away
- Little Tarkio Prairie: 127 acres, 7.2 miles away
- Rush Bottoms Conservation Area: 1,095 acres, 9.5 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Corning Conservation Area
Counting Corning Conservation Area itself, 3,340 of the 39,154 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (8.5%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 3,340 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Corning Conservation Area?
In Holt and Atchison counties, next to Corning.
Can you deer hunt on Corning Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: muzzleloader and archery, antlerless permits not allowed.
How much public land is around Corning Conservation Area?
3,340 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Corning Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Deroin Bend Conservation Area (next to it).
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, Corning 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.