Morris Prairie Conservation Area: hunting and access
Morris Prairie Conservation Area is 521 acres of MDC land in Sullivan and Putnam counties, 7 miles from Unionville. MDC lists deer hunting here (muzzleloader and archery, antlerless permits allowed). Hunters checked 2,577 deer in Sullivan 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 areasMorris Prairie Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 521 acres (395 by MDC's page) |
|---|---|
| Counties | Sullivan County and Putnam County |
| Deer harvest unit | Sullivan County, Putnam County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Rabbit and Quail |
| MDC area number | 200518 |
| MDC region | Northeast |
| Camping (MDC) | walk-in, float-in or backpack camping (not during deer and turkey seasons) |
| Nearest towns | Unionville (7 mi), Pollock (7 mi) and Green City (8 mi) |
What is Morris Prairie Conservation Area like?
This area was purchased in 2005. Native prairie is the featured habitat of this 340-acre area. The 47-acre Morris Prairie Natural Area is one of the highest quality prairie remnants in north Missouri and much of the remaining area is being restored to prairie.
These prairie habitats support more than 200 different native plants including several uncommon species such as bunchflower, prairie dropseed and Indian paintbrush. The bright orange flowers of Indian paintbrush decorate the area in early May, and bunchflower, pale purple coneflower, and blazing star provide colorful displays as the season progresses. These features make Morris Prairie a favorite destination for native plant and prairie enthusiasts.
In MDC's words, from the Morris Prairie Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Morris Prairie Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Morris Prairie Conservation Area lists: Deer: muzzleloader and archery, antlerless permits allowed; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Quail.
What are the rules on Morris Prairie 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 Morris Prairie Conservation Area?
Morris Prairie Conservation Area lies in 2 counties. Hunters checked 2,577 deer in Sullivan County in 2025, against 2,737 in 2024.
| County | Morris Prairie Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sullivan County | 438 | 2,577 | 2,737 | 2,754 |
| Putnam County | 83 | 2,336 | 2,465 | 2,418 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Morris Prairie Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Unionville, take Highway 5 south 2.60 miles, then take Route F east 6.70 miles, and take 235th Street west 0.60 miles.
Nearest towns: Unionville (7 miles), Pollock (7 miles), Green City (8 miles) and Green Castle (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MO 129.
What other public land is near Morris Prairie Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Mineral Hills Conservation Area: 2,184 acres, 0.5 miles away
- Union Ridge Conservation Area: 8,353 acres, 2.4 miles away
- Dark Hollow Natural Area: 315 acres, 3 miles away
- Lake Mahoney (Unionville): 74 acres, 7.9 miles away
- Shoemaker Conservation Area: 257 acres, 8.4 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Morris Prairie Conservation Area
Counting Morris Prairie Conservation Area itself, 2,177 of the 26,582 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (8.2%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 2,177 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Morris Prairie Conservation Area?
In Sullivan and Putnam counties, 7 miles from Unionville.
Can you deer hunt on Morris Prairie Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: muzzleloader and archery, antlerless permits allowed.
How much public land is around Morris Prairie Conservation Area?
2,177 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Morris Prairie Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Mineral Hills Conservation Area (0.5 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, Morris Prairie 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.