Donaldson Point Conservation Area: hunting and access
Donaldson Point Conservation Area is 6,203 acres of MDC land in New Madrid County, 4 miles from New Madrid. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery and firearms, antlerless permits not allowed). Hunters checked 323 deer in New Madrid 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 areasState parks and historic sitesCounty, city and regional landDonaldson Point Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 6,203 acres in 7 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | New Madrid County |
| Deer harvest unit | New Madrid County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Rabbit and Squirrel |
| MDC area number | 8506 |
| MDC region | Southeast |
| Camping (MDC) | open camping - walk-in/float-in/backpack, designated camping sites and individual campsites |
| Nearest towns | New Madrid (4 mi), Howardville (6 mi) and Lilbourn (7 mi) |
What is Donaldson Point Conservation Area like?
Donaldson Point Conservation Area is about six miles southeast of New Madrid. The area can be accessed from county gravel roads off Route WW and Route AB.
The area's 5,945 acres are at the north end of Donaldson Point, which is formed by the New Madrid Bend Loop of the Mississippi River. This same loop isolates a portion of the state of Kentucky. The Mississippi River forms part of the east and west boundaries of the conservation area and provides about seven miles of river frontage. Construction of the levee created about 60 acres of ponds that are open to the public. The land is nearly flat. During seasonal flooding, large portions or all of the area may not be accessible. The forest trees on Donaldson Point include cottonwood, willow, ash, elm, maple, pecan, sycamore, boxelder, hickory, and some bottomland oak species. Donaldson Point also is home to several species not usually seen in the Mississippi lowlands. These include the endangered Swainson's warbler that nests in giant cane, Mississippi kites, bald eagles, interior least...
In MDC's words, from the Donaldson Point Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Donaldson Point Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Donaldson Point Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery and firearms, antlerless permits not allowed; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel.
What are the rules on Donaldson Point Conservation Area?
Closings: This department area is closed during periods of high water.
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 Donaldson Point Conservation Area?
Donaldson Point Conservation Area lies in New Madrid County. Hunters checked 323 deer in New Madrid County in 2025, against 405 in 2024.
| County | Donaldson Point Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Madrid County | 6,203 | 323 | 405 | 405 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Donaldson Point Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From New Madrid, take Route WW east, then Route AB south, and County Road 405 to the area.
Nearest towns: New Madrid (4 miles), Howardville (6 miles), Lilbourn (7 miles) and Marston (8 miles). Highways within 5 miles: I-55, US 61 and US 62.
What other public land is near Donaldson Point Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Seven Island Conservation Area: 1,423 acres, 7.1 miles away
- Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area: 3,762 acres, 9.5 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Donaldson Point Conservation Area
Counting Donaldson Point Conservation Area itself, 6,357 of the 61,495 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (10.3%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 6,309 |
| County, city and regional land | 29 |
| State parks and historic sites | 19 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Donaldson Point Conservation Area?
In New Madrid County, 4 miles from New Madrid.
Can you deer hunt on Donaldson Point Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery and firearms, antlerless permits not allowed.
How much public land is around Donaldson Point Conservation Area?
6,357 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Donaldson Point Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Seven Island Conservation Area (7.1 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: MDC, Donaldson Point 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.