John F. Murphy Memorial State Forest and Wildlife Area: hunting and access
John F. Murphy Memorial State Forest and Wildlife Area is 326 acres of MDC land in Hickory County, next to Wheatland. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed). Hunters checked 2,578 deer in Hickory 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 areasFederal land, mostly Corps of Engineers lakesJohn F. Murphy Memorial State Forest and Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 326 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Hickory County |
| Deer harvest unit | Hickory County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Bear, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel, Dove and Quail |
| MDC area number | 8130 |
| MDC region | Southwest |
| Camping (MDC) | designated camping sites |
| Nearest towns | Wheatland (next to it), Hermitage (3 mi) and Weaubleau (9 mi) |
What is John F. Murphy Memorial State Forest and Wildlife Area like?
John Fisher Murphy had been a friend, student, and protector of the land and conservation movement most of his life. Prior to retirement, he was actively involved as office manager of the Hickory County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service Office. This job, his love for the land that had been in his family since the turn of the century, and his close association with several farm foresters and conservation agents, resulted in the bequeath of this land to the Missouri State Conservation Commission in 1981. An additional 110 acres were purchased in 1990.
Mr. Murphy, also known as Mike, was educated (a former teacher), well read, and could converse on most any topic. He was known for asking many questions. He had a sly sense of humor, but never used it to intentionally embarrass you. Historical records show that the Cross Timbers (to Quincy) Spur Road of the Old Butterfield State Coach Line curved up the southwest of the tract. According to local stories, passengers took refuge on the area during bad storms. Another legend tells that during the Civil War, an underground railroad to help slaves escape to freedom passed through this area. The Mansion, a two-story house used as a refuge for the slaves on their journey, stood on a farmstead about a mile west of the forest boundary. John Fisher Murphy Memorial Forest and Wildlife Area is managed primarily for forest upland wildlife habitat. Small open areas are managed to provide forest edge...
In MDC's words, from the John F. Murphy Memorial State Forest and Wildlife Area page.
What can you hunt on John F. Murphy Memorial State Forest and Wildlife Area?
MDC's page for John F. Murphy Memorial State Forest and Wildlife Area lists: Deer: archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed; Bear: archery and firearms; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel; Dove; Quail.
What are the rules on John F. Murphy Memorial State Forest and Wildlife 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 John F. Murphy Memorial State Forest and Wildlife Area?
John F. Murphy Memorial State Forest and Wildlife Area lies in Hickory County. Hunters checked 2,578 deer in Hickory County in 2025, against 2,456 in 2024.
| County | John F. Murphy Memorial State Forest and Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hickory County | 326 | 2,578 | 2,456 | 2,926 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to John F. Murphy Memorial State Forest and Wildlife Area?
MDC's directions: From Wheatland, take Highway 54 east about 0.50 mile.
Nearest towns: Wheatland (next to it), Hermitage (3 miles), Weaubleau (9 miles) and Preston (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MO 83, US 54 and MO 254.
What other public land is near John F. Murphy Memorial State Forest and Wildlife Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Truman Reservoir Management Lands (Cross Timbers): 5,189 acres, 1.8 miles away
- Cross Timbers Access: 48 acres, 3.6 miles away
- Pomme De Terre Lake Management Lands: 4,851 acres, 4.6 miles away
- Truman Reservoir Management Lands (Little Pomme de Terre): 2,240 acres, 7.9 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of John F. Murphy Memorial State Forest and Wildlife Area
Counting John F. Murphy Memorial State Forest and Wildlife Area itself, 1,425 of the 24,289 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (5.9%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 1,395 |
| Federal land, mostly Corps of Engineers lakes | 30 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is John F. Murphy Memorial State Forest and Wildlife Area?
In Hickory County, next to Wheatland.
Can you deer hunt on John F. Murphy Memorial State Forest and Wildlife Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed.
How much public land is around John F. Murphy Memorial State Forest and Wildlife Area?
1,425 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, John F. Murphy Memorial State Forest and Wildlife Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Truman Reservoir Management Lands (Cross Timbers) (1.8 miles).
Get a Missouri hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for Missouri are coming. Join the list and you'll hear first. The first 50 hunters in each new state get their plan free.
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, John F. Murphy Memorial State Forest and Wildlife 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.