Marshall I. Diggs Conservation Area: hunting and access
Marshall I. Diggs Conservation Area is 1,032 acres of MDC land in Audrain and Montgomery counties, next to Martinsburg. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery and firearms, archery antlerless permits only). Hunters checked 2,305 deer in Audrain 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 areasMarshall I. Diggs Conservation AreaCounty lineHighway
| Size | 1,032 acres |
|---|---|
| Counties | Audrain County and Montgomery County |
| Deer harvest unit | Audrain County, Montgomery County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel and Quail |
| MDC area number | 5705 |
| MDC region | Central |
| Camping (MDC) | designated camping sites |
| Nearest towns | Martinsburg (next to it), Wellsville (2 mi) and Benton City (7 mi) |
What is Marshall I. Diggs Conservation Area like?
Marshall I. Diggs Conservation Area is in Audrain and Montgomery counties, 3.5 miles southwest of Wellsville. To reach the area take Highway ZZ to Route RA. The area begins one-quarter mile west of this junction.
The area is named after Marshall I. Diggs, who donated 610 acres of the area to the Conservation Department in 1958. The Wellsville Firebrick Company donated 160 acres. Funds from Mr. Diggs were used to bring the area to its present size of 1,017 acres. The area includes 600 acres of timber, which are managed primarily as woodland and for mast (nut) production, and 400 acres of prairie. Two large lakes (totaling 20 acres) are stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, and channel catfish. The open lands have native prairie grasses; shrubs, such as plum and sumac. All of the areas old historic cropfields have been planted to native prairie vegetation to restore prairie and savanna natural communities. Fishing regulations: Pole and Line Fishing Only (Max. 3 poles/person); Largemouth Bass daily limit - 6 with 12"-15" protected slot length; Crappie daily limit 30; Channel...
In MDC's words, from the Marshall I. Diggs Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Marshall I. Diggs Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Marshall I. Diggs Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery and firearms, archery antlerless permits only; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel; Quail.
What are the rules on Marshall I. Diggs 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 Marshall I. Diggs Conservation Area?
Marshall I. Diggs Conservation Area lies in 2 counties. Hunters checked 2,305 deer in Audrain County in 2025, against 2,178 in 2024.
| County | Marshall I. Diggs Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audrain County | 523 | 2,305 | 2,178 | 2,634 |
| Montgomery County | 508 | 3,419 | 3,206 | 3,645 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Marshall I. Diggs Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Wellsville, take Route ZZ west 3 miles, then Route RA west 0.50 mile.
Nearest towns: Martinsburg (next to it), Wellsville (2 miles), Benton City (7 miles) and Montgomery City (8 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MO 19.
What other public land is near Marshall I. Diggs Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Wellsville Lake Conservation Area: 130 acres, 2.1 miles away
- Whetstone Creek Conservation Area: 5,318 acres, 6.4 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Marshall I. Diggs Conservation Area
Counting Marshall I. Diggs Conservation Area itself, 1,161 of the 31,298 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (3.7%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 1,161 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Marshall I. Diggs Conservation Area?
In Audrain and Montgomery counties, next to Martinsburg.
Can you deer hunt on Marshall I. Diggs Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery and firearms, archery antlerless permits only.
How much public land is around Marshall I. Diggs Conservation Area?
1,161 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Marshall I. Diggs Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Wellsville Lake Conservation Area (2.1 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, Marshall I. Diggs 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.