Hornersville Swamp Conservation Area: hunting and access
Hornersville Swamp Conservation Area is 3,120 acres of MDC land in Dunklin County, next to Hornersville. MDC lists deer hunting here (muzzleloader and archery, antlerless permits not allowed). Hunters checked 496 deer in Dunklin 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 areasHornersville Swamp Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 3,120 acres (3,382 by MDC's page) in 3 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Dunklin County |
| Deer harvest unit | Dunklin County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Rabbit and Squirrel |
| MDC area number | 5610 |
| MDC region | Southeast |
| Nearest towns | Hornersville (next to it), Rives (4 mi) and Hollywood (4 mi) |
What is Hornersville Swamp Conservation Area like?
Hornersville Swamp Conservation Area is in southernmost Dunklin County, two miles southeast of Hornersville.
This conservation area provides an excellent example of how the entire vicinity appeared before drainage and clearing changed the face of Missouri's Bootheel. The 3,166-acre area is a remnant of 2.4 million acres of bottomland hardwoods that once encompassed all of Dunklin, Pemiscot, Stoddard, New Madrid, and Mississippi counties. The area is 80 percent forestland with the dominant trees being typical bottomland species. Overcup oak, green ash, and cypress are present in the very lowest areas while Nuttall oak, willow oak, water oak, pin oak, and hickory trees inhabit the slightly higher sites. The lowest elevation in Missouri, 230 feet mean (average) sea level, is found on the south end of the area. Hornersville Swamp Conservation Area is adjacent to the Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas. Hence, together these areas provide nearly 20,000 acres of wildlife habitat. Deer,...
In MDC's words, from the Hornersville Swamp Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Hornersville Swamp Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Hornersville Swamp Conservation Area lists: Deer: muzzleloader and archery, antlerless permits not allowed; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel.
What are the rules on Hornersville Swamp Conservation Area?
Closings: This department area is closed during periods of high water.
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 Hornersville Swamp Conservation Area?
Hornersville Swamp Conservation Area lies in Dunklin County. Hunters checked 496 deer in Dunklin County in 2025, against 477 in 2024.
| County | Hornersville Swamp Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunklin County | 3,120 | 496 | 477 | 540 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Hornersville Swamp Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Rives, take Highway 164 west approximately 1 mile, turn left (south) on Hwy TT for 4.3 miles, turn right (west) onto County Road 726 for 2.5 miles until you reach the levee bordering the east side of the Conservation Area. Turn right to the access the North Parking lot (1 mile North) or turn left to access the South Parking Lot/Boat Ramp (2 miles).
Nearest towns: Hornersville (next to it), Rives (4 miles), Hollywood (4 miles) and Senath (6 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MO 164.
What other public land is near Hornersville Swamp Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Warbler Woods Conservation Area: 87 acres, next to it
- Ben Cash Memorial Conservation Area: 1,396 acres, 9 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Hornersville Swamp Conservation Area
Counting Hornersville Swamp Conservation Area itself, 3,329 of the 54,410 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (6.1%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 3,328 |
| National wildlife refuges | 1 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Hornersville Swamp Conservation Area?
In Dunklin County, next to Hornersville.
Can you deer hunt on Hornersville Swamp Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: muzzleloader and archery, antlerless permits not allowed.
How much public land is around Hornersville Swamp Conservation Area?
3,329 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Hornersville Swamp Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Warbler Woods Conservation Area (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: MDC, Hornersville Swamp 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.