Drury-Mincy Conservation Area: hunting and access
Drury-Mincy Conservation Area is 6,161 acres of MDC land in Taney County, 5 miles from Kirbyville. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed). Hunters checked 2,452 deer in Taney 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 forestFederal land, mostly Corps of Engineers lakesDrury-Mincy Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 6,161 acres (4,135 by MDC's page) in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Taney County |
| Deer harvest unit | Taney County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Bear, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel and Dove |
| MDC area number | 5401 |
| MDC region | Southwest |
| Shooting range (MDC) | archery |
| Nearest towns | Kirbyville (5 mi), Hollister (6 mi) and Kissee Mills (6 mi) |
What is Drury-Mincy Conservation Area like?
Drury-Mincy Conservation Area is in southern Taney County, southeast of Branson, off of Route J. The area, located in the heart of the White River glade region, was the Conservation Department's first deer refuge. The area is named for early landowner Frank Drury and the settlement of Mincy. The Commission leased the land in 1939, then purchased it in 1987. At present, the area is comprised of 5,599 acres which includes a portion of Bull Shoals Lake managed lands.
By the turn of the century, deer numbers had dwindled to the point that Missouri could claim only 14 herds. One of these lived in the Drury-Mincy area. The area was purchased by a private landowner in 1929, who worked with the Department to increase deer numbers. From 1939 through 1959, Drury-Mincy deer were successfully used to restore populations statewide. The Drury-Mincy area, one of three areas that supported flocks of native wild turkeys, provided 300 turkeys for statewide restoration projects during the 1960s. Bluestem glades and post oak woodlands dominated the rolling hills. Mincy, Fox, and Bee creeks meander through stands of wild cane on their way to Bull Shoals Lake. Purple beardtongue, fringetree, and Ashe juniper are among the unusual plants found on the area.
In MDC's words, from the Drury-Mincy Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Drury-Mincy Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Drury-Mincy Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed; Bear: archery and firearms; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel; Dove.
What are the rules on Drury-Mincy 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 Drury-Mincy Conservation Area?
Drury-Mincy Conservation Area lies in Taney County. Hunters checked 2,452 deer in Taney County in 2025, against 2,057 in 2024.
| County | Drury-Mincy Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taney County | 6,161 | 2,452 | 2,057 | 2,805 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Drury-Mincy Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Branson, take Highway 76 east 5 miles, then Route J south 6 miles, and Gunnison Road right 0.75 mile.
Nearest towns: Kirbyville (5 miles), Hollister (6 miles), Kissee Mills (6 miles) and Forsyth (7 miles).
What other public land is near Drury-Mincy Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Bull Shoals Lake Management Lands: 35,896 acres, next to it
- Cooper Creek Access: 49 acres, 7.2 miles away
- Boston Ferry Conservation Area: 170 acres, 9.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Drury-Mincy Conservation Area
Counting Drury-Mincy Conservation Area itself, 14,801 of the 65,721 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (22.5%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 14,229 |
| Federal land, mostly Corps of Engineers lakes | 572 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Drury-Mincy Conservation Area?
In Taney County, 5 miles from Kirbyville.
Can you deer hunt on Drury-Mincy Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed.
How much public land is around Drury-Mincy Conservation Area?
14,801 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Drury-Mincy Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Bull Shoals Lake Management Lands (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: MDC, Drury-Mincy 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.