Ionia Ridge Conservation Area: hunting and access
Ionia Ridge Conservation Area is 238 acres of MDC land in Benton County, 2 miles from Ionia. MDC lists deer hunting here (muzzleloader and archery, archery antlerless permits only). Hunters checked 4,228 deer in Benton 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 areasIonia Ridge Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 238 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Benton County |
| Deer harvest unit | Benton County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Bear, Turkey, Rabbit and Quail |
| MDC area number | 200819 |
| MDC region | Kansas City |
| Nearest towns | Ionia (2 mi), Cole Camp (6 mi) and Lincoln (9 mi) |
What is Ionia Ridge Conservation Area like?
This 233-acre area was purchased by the Conservation Department in 2008. It is located within the Cole Camp Prairie COA in Benton County.The area was purchased to enhance habitat for a suite of grassland obligate species. The area has gently rolling topography and is currently a mix of native prairie remnant, prairie reconstruction and cool season grass. Future management plans will be to provide habitat for all grassland species, including but not limited to bobwhite quail and cottontail rabbits.
In MDC's words, from the Ionia Ridge Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Ionia Ridge Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Ionia Ridge Conservation Area lists: Deer: muzzleloader and archery, archery antlerless permits only; Bear: archery and firearms; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Quail.
What are the rules on Ionia Ridge 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 Ionia Ridge Conservation Area?
Ionia Ridge Conservation Area lies in Benton County. Hunters checked 4,228 deer in Benton County in 2025, against 3,915 in 2024.
| County | Ionia Ridge Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benton County | 238 | 4,228 | 3,915 | 4,692 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Ionia Ridge Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Sedalia, take Highway 65 south 10 miles, then Highway 52 west 1 mile, and Hoffman Road south 0.50 mile. The area is on the east side of Hoffman Road.
Nearest towns: Ionia (2 miles), Cole Camp (6 miles), Lincoln (9 miles) and Green Ridge (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 65 and MO 52.
What other public land is near Ionia Ridge Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Drovers' Prairie Conservation Area: 78 acres, next to it
- Paint Brush Prairie Conservation Area: 524 acres, 1.4 miles away
- Friendly Prairie Conservation Area: 39 acres, 1.5 miles away
- Grandfather Prairie Conservation Area: 81 acres, 2.6 miles away
- Sedalia (Spring Fork Lake): 113 acres, 2.6 miles away
- Mora Conservation Area: 589 acres, 3.2 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Ionia Ridge Conservation Area
Counting Ionia Ridge Conservation Area itself, 885 of the 23,066 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (3.8%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 885 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Ionia Ridge Conservation Area?
In Benton County, 2 miles from Ionia.
Can you deer hunt on Ionia Ridge Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: muzzleloader and archery, archery antlerless permits only.
How much public land is around Ionia Ridge Conservation Area?
885 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Ionia Ridge Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Drovers' Prairie Conservation Area (next to it).
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, Ionia Ridge 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.