Lick Creek Conservation Area: hunting and access
Lick Creek Conservation Area is 295 acres of MDC land in Boone County, 4 miles from Harrisburg. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed). Hunters checked 3,439 deer in Boone 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 areasState parks and historic sitesLick Creek Conservation AreaCounty lineHighway
| Size | 295 acres (317 by MDC's page) |
|---|---|
| County | Boone County |
| Deer harvest unit | Boone County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey and Squirrel |
| MDC area number | 9228 |
| MDC region | Central |
| Camping (MDC) | designated camping sites |
| Nearest towns | Harrisburg (4 mi), Sturgeon (7 mi) and Hallsville (8 mi) |
What is Lick Creek Conservation Area like?
The Lick Creek Conservation Area, named for Lick Creek that runs through the area's west end, is made up of approximately 317 acres.
The area was farmed in the early part of the century until severe erosion and poor economic conditions forced farmers to abandon raising crops. For about 30+ years from the 1930's to the late 1960's, the area was used for pasture for livestock. In 1968, Monte Gurwit purchased the area for recreational purposes. Later, in 1972, the current 12-acre lake was built. Missouri Department of Conservation did not purchase the area until 1992. At one time, the area was bisected by an old county road and had a house on it just south of the lake near the parking lot. The natural resources include upland hardwoods, bottomland hardwoods, a 12-acre lake, Lick Creek, a four-acre pine plantation, and advanced old field succession.
In MDC's words, from the Lick Creek Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Lick Creek Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Lick Creek Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed; Turkey: archery and firearms; Squirrel.
What are the rules on Lick Creek 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 Lick Creek Conservation Area?
Lick Creek Conservation Area lies in Boone County. Hunters checked 3,439 deer in Boone County in 2025, against 3,174 in 2024.
| County | Lick Creek Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boone County | 295 | 3,439 | 3,174 | 3,644 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Lick Creek Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Columbia, take Highway 63 north 9 miles, then Highway 124 west 3 miles, then Oak Grove School Road north 1.80 miles.
Nearest towns: Harrisburg (4 miles), Sturgeon (7 miles), Hallsville (8 miles) and Clark (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 63 and MO 124.
What other public land is near Lick Creek Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Rocky Fork Lakes Conservation Area: 2,225 acres, 5.4 miles away
- Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area: 3,565 acres, 6.2 miles away
- Tri-City Community Lake: 100 acres, 9.2 miles away
- Moniteau Creek Conservation Area: 744 acres, 9.7 miles away
- Hungry Mother Conservation Area: 270 acres, 9.7 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Lick Creek Conservation Area
Counting Lick Creek Conservation Area itself, 295 of the 23,795 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (1.2%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 295 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Lick Creek Conservation Area?
In Boone County, 4 miles from Harrisburg.
Can you deer hunt on Lick Creek Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed.
How much public land is around Lick Creek Conservation Area?
295 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Lick Creek Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Rocky Fork Lakes Conservation Area (5.4 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, Lick Creek 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.