Deer Ridge Conservation Area: hunting and access
Deer Ridge Conservation Area is 7,293 acres of MDC land in Lewis County, 2 miles from Williamstown. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed). Hunters checked 2,407 deer in Lewis 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 areasDeer Ridge Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 7,293 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Lewis County |
| Deer harvest unit | Lewis County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel, Dove and Quail |
| MDC area number | 5703 |
| MDC region | Northeast |
| Camping (MDC) | walk-in, float-in or backpack camping (not during deer and turkey seasons), designated camping sites and individual campsites |
| Shooting range (MDC) | archery, shotgun and rifle or pistol |
| Nearest towns | Williamstown (2 mi), Lewistown (3 mi) and Monticello (4 mi) |
What is Deer Ridge Conservation Area like?
Much of the area was purchased in the 1950's through the efforts of James B. Jenkins, a local resident farmer. The area was purchased to increase public fishing and hunting opportunities in the Northeast Region.
About 5,000 acres of Deer Ridge Conservation Area is forested. Nearly 20 miles of multiple use trails can take you to the many unique features that can be experienced on Deer Ridge Conservation Area. The easy to walk purple trail will take you through a woodland that has an abundance of 150 year old post oaks where woodland forbs such as Culver's root and pale purple coneflowers are being established. If you're into long adventurous trails to hike, bike or ease along on horseback the many multi-use trails may be what you're looking for. Horse campground is the place horseback riders will want to camp. Horse camp offers places to tie up horses, restrooms and space for parking your trailer. From Horse campground is quick access to several of the favorite trails. The abundance of wildlife and ground flora diversity is growing on Deer Ridge Conservation Area due to active land management...
In MDC's words, from the Deer Ridge Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Deer Ridge Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Deer Ridge Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel; Dove; Quail.
What are the rules on Deer Ridge Conservation Area?
Target Shooting and Shooting Ranges: An unstaffed range is located on this department area. Target shooting is not allowed anywhere on this area except for designated shooting range(s). Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Ranges may be closed to public use at any time for maintenance or department sponsored events or programs. Possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on all ranges and associated parking lots. Groups of more than 10 people must obtain a special use permit prior to using the range. To obtain a special use permit, contact the area manager at the phone number listed...
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 Deer Ridge Conservation Area?
Deer Ridge Conservation Area lies in Lewis County. Hunters checked 2,407 deer in Lewis County in 2025, against 2,502 in 2024.
| County | Deer Ridge Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis County | 7,293 | 2,407 | 2,502 | 2,359 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Deer Ridge Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Lewistown, take Route H north 5.50 miles, then Route Y west 2 miles to the main tract.
Nearest towns: Williamstown (2 miles), Lewistown (3 miles), Monticello (4 miles) and La Belle (5 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MO 6 and MO 16.
What other public land is near Deer Ridge Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- LaBelle Lake Conservation Area: 350 acres, 4.1 miles away
- Clark Conservation Area: 621 acres, 4.7 miles away
- Tolona Access: 173 acres, 6.1 miles away
- Neeper Conservation Area: 323 acres, 8.1 miles away
- Wyaconda Crossing Conservation Area: 154 acres, 8.2 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Deer Ridge Conservation Area
Counting Deer Ridge Conservation Area itself, 7,363 of the 65,293 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (11.3%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 7,363 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Deer Ridge Conservation Area?
In Lewis County, 2 miles from Williamstown.
Can you deer hunt on Deer Ridge Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed.
How much public land is around Deer Ridge Conservation Area?
7,363 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Deer Ridge Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is LaBelle Lake Conservation Area (4.1 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, Deer Ridge 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.