Fountain Grove Conservation Area: hunting and access
Fountain Grove Conservation Area is 8,511 acres of MDC land in Linn, Livingston and Chariton counties, 2 miles from Sumner. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery only, antlerless permits allowed). Hunters checked 2,590 deer in Linn 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 wildlife refugesState parks and historic sitesFountain Grove Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 8,511 acres |
|---|---|
| Counties | Linn County, Livingston County and Chariton County |
| Deer harvest unit | Linn County, Livingston County, Chariton County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel, Dove and Quail |
| MDC area number | 4601 |
| MDC region | Northwest |
| Camping (MDC) | individual campsites |
| Nearest towns | Sumner (2 mi), Wheeling (3 mi) and Meadville (4 mi) |
What is Fountain Grove Conservation Area like?
Fountain Grove Conservation Area sits in the floodplain of the Grand River and serves as an important migration stop for a variety of wildlife. It also plays an essential role in providing wintering habitat for Canada geese of the Eastern Prairie Population.
The area was the first wetland area developed by the Conservation Commission and has grown from its original 3,433 acres in the 1940s to its present size of 7,906 acres. The area is managed to provide diverse wetland habitats, including marshes, bottomland forests, grain fields, oxbow lakes and sloughs. An active heron rookery is located along Locust Creek. Bald eagles are commonly seen on the area throughout the winter. The area also supports populations of rail, snipe, wood ducks, mourning doves, white-tailed deer, turkey, raccoon, beaver, river otter and many bird species.
In MDC's words, from the Fountain Grove Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Fountain Grove Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Fountain Grove Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery only, antlerless permits allowed; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel; Dove; Quail.
What are the rules on Fountain Grove Conservation Area?
Closings: Portions of this department area are closed to protect waterfowl from October 15 through March 1.
Hunting: Nontoxic shot is required for all hunting with a shotgun on this area. Use or possession of lead shot is prohibited.
Waterfowl Hunting: Waterfowl hunting is prohibited after 1:00 p.m. on designated portions of this area (one of several MDC lists for this rule).
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 Fountain Grove Conservation Area?
Fountain Grove Conservation Area lies in 3 counties. Hunters checked 2,590 deer in Linn County in 2025, against 2,692 in 2024.
| County | Fountain Grove Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linn County | 4,904 | 2,590 | 2,692 | 2,973 |
| Livingston County | 3,602 | 2,120 | 1,990 | 2,153 |
| Chariton County | 5 | 2,331 | 2,096 | 2,258 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Fountain Grove Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: At Meadville, take Route W south 5 miles, then Blackhorn Drive south 0.75 mile to the area headquarters.
Nearest towns: Sumner (2 miles), Wheeling (3 miles), Meadville (4 miles) and Hale (4 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MO 139, US 36 and MO 130.
What other public land is near Fountain Grove Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Yellow Creek Conservation Area: 593 acres, 6.2 miles away
- Little Compton Lake Conservation Area: 545 acres, 8 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Fountain Grove Conservation Area
Counting Fountain Grove Conservation Area itself, 11,459 of the 70,050 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (16.4%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 8,910 |
| State parks and historic sites | 2,549 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Fountain Grove Conservation Area?
In Linn, Livingston and Chariton counties, 2 miles from Sumner.
Can you deer hunt on Fountain Grove Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery only, antlerless permits allowed.
How much public land is around Fountain Grove Conservation Area?
11,459 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Fountain Grove Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Yellow Creek Conservation Area (6.2 miles).
Get a Missouri hunt plan when they open
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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, Fountain Grove 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.
Missouri hunting Linn County Livingston County Chariton County