Diamond Grove Prairie Conservation Area: hunting and access
Diamond Grove Prairie Conservation Area is 861 acres of MDC land in Newton County, next to Diamond. MDC lists deer hunting here (muzzleloader and archery, antlerless permits allowed). Hunters checked 2,890 deer in Newton 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 park land (Ozark National Scenic Riverways and others)State parks and historic sitesDiamond Grove Prairie Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 861 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Newton County |
| Deer harvest unit | Newton County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Bear, Turkey, Rabbit and Quail |
| MDC area number | 8108 |
| MDC region | Southwest |
| Nearest towns | Diamond (next to it), Duenweg (5 mi) and Saginaw (5 mi) |
What is Diamond Grove Prairie Conservation Area like?
Diamond Grove Prairie Conservation Area is one of the largest tracts of tallgrass prairie remaining in extreme southwest Missouri. Land surveyors in the 1840s described the area as "rich rolling prairie" and Diamond Grove Prairie CA looks much the same as it must have back then. The area is dominated by native grasses such as prairie dropseed, big bluestem, little bluestem, and Indian grass. Additionally, a wide array of wildflowers including Indian paintbrush, blazing star, lead plant, compass plant, and royal catchfly adorn the grassland in season.
Diamond Grove Prairie CA is a great place to see many grassland bird species including the uncommon Henslow's Sparrow. Short-eared Owls and Northern Harriers can also be seen in winter. Recreational opportunities include hunting, hiking, bird watching, and outdoor photography. Deer may be found anywhere on the area with quail and rabbit being more common in the brushy fencerows and prairie draws. Please note that firearms that fire a single projectile are prohibited on the area except for deer hunting. Please check the Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Booklet. Management of the area includes prescribed burning to stimulate native prairie plants, control of woody encroachment, removal of tall trees from prairie draws, and mechanical thinning of a 35-acre woodland located on the area. Cattle grazing occurs on the Carver Road tract from May - July. The grazing program is used to improve...
In MDC's words, from the Diamond Grove Prairie Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Diamond Grove Prairie Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Diamond Grove Prairie Conservation Area lists: Deer: muzzleloader and archery, antlerless permits allowed; Bear: archery only; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Quail.
What are the rules on Diamond Grove Prairie 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 Diamond Grove Prairie Conservation Area?
Diamond Grove Prairie Conservation Area lies in Newton County. Hunters checked 2,890 deer in Newton County in 2025, against 2,789 in 2024.
| County | Diamond Grove Prairie Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton County | 861 | 2,890 | 2,789 | 3,043 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Diamond Grove Prairie Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Diamond, take Route V west 4 miles, then Lark Road north 1.25 miles.
Nearest towns: Diamond (next to it), Duenweg (5 miles), Saginaw (5 miles) and Duquesne (5 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 71, I-49, I-44, US 175 and MO 249.
What other public land is near Diamond Grove Prairie Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Tipton Ford Access: 100 acres, 3.3 miles away
- Walter Woods Conservation Area: 70 acres, 6.6 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Diamond Grove Prairie Conservation Area
Counting Diamond Grove Prairie Conservation Area itself, 1,102 of the 33,313 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (3.3%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 861 |
| National park land (Ozark National Scenic Riverways and others) | 241 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Diamond Grove Prairie Conservation Area?
In Newton County, next to Diamond.
Can you deer hunt on Diamond Grove Prairie Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: muzzleloader and archery, antlerless permits allowed.
How much public land is around Diamond Grove Prairie Conservation Area?
1,102 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Diamond Grove Prairie Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Tipton Ford Access (3.3 miles).
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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, Diamond Grove Prairie 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.