Millstream Gardens Conservation Area: hunting and access
Millstream Gardens Conservation Area is 1,004 acres of MDC land in Madison County, 8 miles from Fredericktown. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed). Hunters checked 2,892 deer in Madison 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 forestCounty, city and regional landMillstream Gardens Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 1,004 acres (916 by MDC's page) |
|---|---|
| County | Madison County |
| Deer harvest unit | Madison County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel, Dove and Quail |
| MDC area number | 8210 |
| MDC region | Southeast |
| Shooting range (MDC) | archery |
| Nearest towns | Fredericktown (8 mi), Knob Lick (8 mi) and Arcadia (8 mi) |
What is Millstream Gardens Conservation Area like?
Millstream Gardens Conservation Area is a 916-acre tract of land in Madison County, about halfway between Fredericktown and Arcadia, off of Highway 72.
The spectacular Tiemann Shut-ins are within the area's boundaries. The St. Francis River forms one of the area's western boundaries, then meanders eastward for 1.2 miles through the area's mid-southern section, before rushing through the shut-ins and passing into the Silver Mines area. The area's woodlands are composed primarily of oak, hickory, and pine in the uplands, and ash, elm, and maple along the river border and its drainages. The St. Francis River at Millstream Gardens and its wooded corridor is a part of Missouri's Natural Area System. This large stream contains an adjoining slough and large igneous shut-ins. A wide variety of animals live here. Wildlife species such as white-tailed deer, turkey, and squirrel inhabit the uplands.
In MDC's words, from the Millstream Gardens Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Millstream Gardens Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Millstream Gardens Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel; Dove; Quail.
What are the rules on Millstream Gardens Conservation Area?
Target Shooting and Shooting Ranges: An unstaffed range is located on this department area. Target shooting is not allowed anywhere on this area except for designated shooting range(s). Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Ranges may be closed to public use at any time for maintenance or department sponsored events or programs. Possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on all ranges and associated parking lots. Groups of more than 10 people must obtain a special use permit prior to using the range. To obtain a special use permit, contact the area manager at the phone number listed...
Every conservation area also follows MDC's standard rules in Chapter 11 of the Wildlife Code; the area's full rules are on MDC's site.
How many deer are taken around Millstream Gardens Conservation Area?
Millstream Gardens Conservation Area lies in Madison County. Hunters checked 2,892 deer in Madison County in 2025, against 1,887 in 2024.
| County | Millstream Gardens Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison County | 1,004 | 2,892 | 1,887 | 2,702 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Millstream Gardens Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Fredericktown: take Highway 72 west 8 miles to the area. South of the river: take Route D to the area.
Nearest towns: Fredericktown (8 miles), Knob Lick (8 miles), Arcadia (8 miles) and Ironton (8 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MO 72.
What other public land is near Millstream Gardens Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Roselle Access: 24 acres, 1.4 miles away
- Thompson Ford Access: 90 acres, 5 miles away
- Syenite Access: 31 acres, 7.1 miles away
- Ketcherside Mountain Conservation Area: 5,115 acres, 9.7 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Millstream Gardens Conservation Area
Counting Millstream Gardens Conservation Area itself, 7,305 of the 31,122 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (23.5%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National forest | 6,275 |
| MDC conservation areas | 1,030 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Millstream Gardens Conservation Area?
In Madison County, 8 miles from Fredericktown.
Can you deer hunt on Millstream Gardens Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed.
How much public land is around Millstream Gardens Conservation Area?
7,305 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Millstream Gardens Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Roselle Access (1.4 miles).
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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, Millstream Gardens 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.