John N. and Melba S. Anderson Memorial Conservation Area: hunting and access
John N. and Melba S. Anderson Memorial Conservation Area is 339 acres of MDC land in Crawford County, 4 miles from Steelville. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery only, antlerless permits allowed). Hunters checked 3,667 deer in Crawford 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 forestLand trusts and other open landJohn N. and Melba S. Anderson Memorial Conservation AreaCounty lineHighway
| Size | 339 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Crawford County |
| Deer harvest unit | Crawford County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Bear, Turkey, Rabbit and Squirrel |
| MDC area number | 200304 |
| MDC region | St. Louis |
| Nearest towns | Steelville (4 mi), Cuba (12 mi) and Leasburg (12 mi) |
What is John N. and Melba S. Anderson Memorial Conservation Area like?
This area was opened to the public in March 2007. The terrain is relatively flat and covered in mixed oak and hickory. Old vineyards have grown up into thickets of Eastern Red Cedar. Current management is aimed at improving the plant and animal diversity in the old field and upland habitats and improving small game hunting opportunities.
In MDC's words, from the John N. and Melba S. Anderson Memorial Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on John N. and Melba S. Anderson Memorial Conservation Area?
MDC's page for John N. and Melba S. Anderson Memorial Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery only, antlerless permits allowed; Bear: archery and firearms; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel.
What are the rules on John N. and Melba S. Anderson Memorial 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 John N. and Melba S. Anderson Memorial Conservation Area?
John N. and Melba S. Anderson Memorial Conservation Area lies in Crawford County. Hunters checked 3,667 deer in Crawford County in 2025, against 3,082 in 2024.
| County | John N. and Melba S. Anderson Memorial Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crawford County | 339 | 3,667 | 3,082 | 4,406 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to John N. and Melba S. Anderson Memorial Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Steelville, take Highway 19 south 2 miles, then Valleyside Road east 1 mile to the parking lot.
Nearest towns: Steelville (4 miles), Cuba (12 miles), Leasburg (12 miles) and Indian Lake (15 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MO 19 and MO 49.
What other public land is near John N. and Melba S. Anderson Memorial Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Pearl G. and John J. Sizemore Memorial Conservation Area: 171 acres, 0.6 miles away
- Crooked Creek Conservation Area: 332 acres, 5.7 miles away
- Huzzah Conservation Area: 6,079 acres, 7.9 miles away
- Woodson K. Woods Memorial Conservation Area: 5,819 acres, 8.5 miles away
- Scotts Ford Access: 32 acres, 8.8 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of John N. and Melba S. Anderson Memorial Conservation Area
Counting John N. and Melba S. Anderson Memorial Conservation Area itself, 1,240 of the 24,734 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (5%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National forest | 639 |
| MDC conservation areas | 601 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is John N. and Melba S. Anderson Memorial Conservation Area?
In Crawford County, 4 miles from Steelville.
Can you deer hunt on John N. and Melba S. Anderson Memorial Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery only, antlerless permits allowed.
How much public land is around John N. and Melba S. Anderson Memorial Conservation Area?
1,240 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, John N. and Melba S. Anderson Memorial Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Pearl G. and John J. Sizemore Memorial Conservation Area (0.6 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: MDC, John N. and Melba S. Anderson Memorial 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.