H. F. Thurnau Conservation Area: hunting and access
H. F. Thurnau Conservation Area is 2,476 acres of MDC land in Holt County, 3 miles from Craig. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery and firearms, antlerless permits not allowed). Hunters checked 849 deer in Holt 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 areasH. F. Thurnau Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 2,476 acres (1,738 by MDC's page) in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Holt County |
| Deer harvest unit | Holt County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Rabbit, Dove and Quail |
| MDC area number | 6415 |
| MDC region | Northwest |
| Camping (MDC) | individual campsites |
| Nearest towns | Craig (3 mi), Corning (4 mi) and Big Lake (6 mi) |
What is H. F. Thurnau Conservation Area like?
The Conservation Department purchased 366 acres in 1965 to preserve unique wetlands and habitats associated with the Missouri River and to provide public lands and recreational opportunities in northwest Missouri. The United States Army Corps of Engineers has purchased additional acres as part of the Missouri River Mitigation Project. The mitigation project has been designed to enhance fish and wildlife habitat along the Missouri River. The area is managed through a cooperative effort between the Corps of Engineers and the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Early exploration and settlement of this area began with the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1804. Journal entries from that expedition mentioned an abundance of wildlife along the broad marshlands of the heavy bottomland timber near the Missouri River. This area was part of the Platte Purchase, arranged by the U.S. government with the Indians in 1836. This area is managed for a wide range of game and non-game wildlife species and is available to the public for a variety of outdoor activities. Management of the open fields includes farming and controlled burning, plus developing wildlife habitat by tree, shrub and grass plantings, and wetland management.
In MDC's words, from the H. F. Thurnau Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on H. F. Thurnau Conservation Area?
MDC's page for H. F. Thurnau Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery and firearms, antlerless permits not allowed; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Dove; Quail.
What are the rules on H. F. Thurnau Conservation Area?
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 H. F. Thurnau Conservation Area?
H. F. Thurnau Conservation Area lies in Holt County. Hunters checked 849 deer in Holt County in 2025, against 846 in 2024.
| County | H. F. Thurnau Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holt County | 2,476 | 849 | 846 | 835 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to H. F. Thurnau Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Craig, take Highway 111 west 4 miles, and Annapalis Road south 0.50 mile.
Nearest towns: Craig (3 miles), Corning (4 miles), Big Lake (6 miles) and Bigelow (7 miles). Highways within 5 miles: I-29, MO 111, US 59 and MO 118.
What other public land is near H. F. Thurnau Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Rush Bottoms Conservation Area: 1,095 acres, 2.6 miles away
- Corning Conservation Area: 1,999 acres, 2.7 miles away
- Deroin Bend Conservation Area: 1,218 acres, 4.6 miles away
- Little Tarkio Prairie: 127 acres, 5.4 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of H. F. Thurnau Conservation Area
Counting H. F. Thurnau Conservation Area itself, 2,685 of the 43,491 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (6.2%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 2,685 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is H. F. Thurnau Conservation Area?
In Holt County, 3 miles from Craig.
Can you deer hunt on H. F. Thurnau Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery and firearms, antlerless permits not allowed.
How much public land is around H. F. Thurnau Conservation Area?
2,685 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, H. F. Thurnau Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Rush Bottoms Conservation Area (2.6 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, H. F. Thurnau 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.