Flag Spring Conservation Area: hunting and access
Flag Spring Conservation Area is 3,990 acres of MDC land in Barry and McDonald counties, 3 miles from Washburn. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed). Hunters checked 2,538 deer in Barry 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 areasFlag Spring Conservation AreaCounty lineHighway
| Size | 3,990 acres |
|---|---|
| Counties | Barry County and McDonald County |
| Deer harvest unit | Barry County, McDonald County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Bear, Turkey and Squirrel |
| MDC area number | 8333 |
| MDC region | Southwest |
| Camping (MDC) | designated camping sites and individual campsites |
| Shooting range (MDC) | shotgun and rifle or pistol |
| Nearest towns | Washburn (3 mi), Exeter (6 mi) and Rocky Comfort (6 mi) |
What is Flag Spring Conservation Area like?
Flag Spring Conservation Area is located in Barry and McDonald counties, west of Washburn, Missouri. The Missouri Department of Conservation acquired the land for this 3,946-acre area between 1983 and 1992. The area is primarily forested, with oak, hickory, eastern red cedar, and other species native to the region common. Flag Spring, located on the west side of the property, flows year-round.
Horseback riding and bicycles are permitted on trails marked with Horse/Bike signs. Trail users will find an abundance of nature viewing and photography opportunities. Hunting is allowed on the area according to the appropriate season. Primitive camping is permitted in spots designated on the area map. Campers are limited to 14 consecutive days in a 30-day period. Groups of more than 10 campers need a special-use permit. Deer and squirrels are relatively abundant. Many years ago, wild turkeys were stocked on the area. There is an unstaffed shooting range located off of Flag Springs Road. The range is closed on Mondays for maintenance.
In MDC's words, from the Flag Spring Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Flag Spring Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Flag Spring Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed; Bear: archery and firearms; Turkey: archery and firearms; Squirrel.
What are the rules on Flag Spring 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 Flag Spring Conservation Area?
Flag Spring Conservation Area lies in 2 counties. Hunters checked 2,538 deer in Barry County in 2025, against 2,446 in 2024.
| County | Flag Spring Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barry County | 3,594 | 2,538 | 2,446 | 2,855 |
| McDonald County | 396 | 1,907 | 1,802 | 2,294 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Flag Spring Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Washburn, take Route UU northwest 1.75 miles, then the first public gravel road west 3 miles.
Nearest towns: Washburn (3 miles), Exeter (6 miles), Rocky Comfort (6 miles) and Seligman (7 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MO 90, MO 37, MO 76 and MO 86.
What other public land is near Flag Spring Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Roaring River Conservation Area: 434 acres, 8.9 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Flag Spring Conservation Area
Counting Flag Spring Conservation Area itself, 3,990 of the 47,019 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 | 3,990 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Flag Spring Conservation Area?
In Barry and McDonald counties, 3 miles from Washburn.
Can you deer hunt on Flag Spring Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed.
How much public land is around Flag Spring Conservation Area?
3,990 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Flag Spring Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Roaring River Conservation Area (8.9 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, Flag Spring 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.