Happy Holler Lake Conservation Area: hunting and access
Happy Holler Lake Conservation Area is 2,305 acres of MDC land in Andrew County, 2 miles from Rea. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery and firearms, antlerless permits not allowed). Hunters checked 1,065 deer in Andrew 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 refugesCounty, city and regional landHappy Holler Lake Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 2,305 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Andrew County |
| Deer harvest unit | Andrew County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel, Dove and Quail |
| MDC area number | 8025 |
| MDC region | Northwest |
| Camping (MDC) | individual campsites |
| Nearest towns | Rea (2 mi), Savannah (2 mi) and Rosendale (4 mi) |
What is Happy Holler Lake Conservation Area like?
The Conservation Department established the Happy Holler area in 1980 with the purchase of 622 acres, primarily along the One Hundred and Two River. With subsequent purchases, the area has grown to it's present size. A portion of the area has traditionally been known as "Happy Holler."
Open fields are managed with farming, haying, prescribed burning, and discing. Wetland and timber management are also practiced here as is intensive habitat development through tree, shrub, and grass plantings. The area provides both upland and bottomland habitat for wildlife. Because of its large size and land diversity, the area is managed for multiple game and non-game species and for a variety of public uses consistent with resource management.
In MDC's words, from the Happy Holler Lake Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Happy Holler Lake Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Happy Holler Lake Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery and firearms, antlerless permits not allowed; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel; Dove; Quail.
What are the rules on Happy Holler Lake Conservation Area?
MDC's standard conservation area rules (Chapter 11 of the Wildlife Code) apply; the area's rules on MDC's site list any it adds.
How many deer are taken around Happy Holler Lake Conservation Area?
Happy Holler Lake Conservation Area lies in Andrew County. Hunters checked 1,065 deer in Andrew County in 2025, against 1,039 in 2024.
| County | Happy Holler Lake Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew County | 2,305 | 1,065 | 1,039 | 1,115 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Happy Holler Lake Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: The area is composed of three tracts. Lake entrance: from Savannah, take Route E east 4 miles, then Route D north 6 miles to the parking lot. Refer to map for directions to tracts 2 and 3.
Nearest towns: Rea (2 miles), Savannah (2 miles), Rosendale (4 miles) and Bolckow (7 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 59, US 71, MO 48 and US 169.
What other public land is near Happy Holler Lake Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Elrod Mill Access: 59 acres, 1.7 miles away
- Hadorn Bridge Access: 101 acres, 2.2 miles away
- James D. Christie Conservation Area: 174 acres, 2.5 miles away
- The Eva N. Davis Memorial Conservation Area: 30 acres, 3.2 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Happy Holler Lake Conservation Area
Counting Happy Holler Lake Conservation Area itself, 2,786 of the 52,169 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (5.3%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 2,623 |
| National wildlife refuges | 83 |
| County, city and regional land | 80 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Happy Holler Lake Conservation Area?
In Andrew County, 2 miles from Rea.
Can you deer hunt on Happy Holler Lake Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery and firearms, antlerless permits not allowed.
How much public land is around Happy Holler Lake Conservation Area?
2,786 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Happy Holler Lake Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Elrod Mill Access (1.7 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, Happy Holler Lake 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.