Mussel Fork Conservation Area: hunting and access
Mussel Fork Conservation Area is 2,444 acres of MDC land in Linn and Macon counties, 2 miles from Bucklin. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed). Hunters checked 2,590 deer in Linn 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 areasMRAP landMussel Fork Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 2,444 acres |
|---|---|
| Counties | Linn County and Macon County |
| Deer harvest unit | Linn County, Macon County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel, Dove and Quail |
| MDC area number | 8422 |
| MDC region | Northwest |
| Camping (MDC) | individual campsites |
| Nearest towns | Bucklin (2 mi), Marceline (3 mi) and New Cambria (6 mi) |
What is Mussel Fork Conservation Area like?
This area fronts about two miles of Mussel Fork Creek.
The area's rolling topography is typical of this region of the state which is generally marked by southward draining, closely spaced, sub-parallel streams resulting in a general pattern of narrow, linear ridges and wooded stream valleys. Historic conditions included plant communities that followed the elevational gradient with prairies occurring on the higher, drier sites blending with oak savannas on the ridges, and more densely forested areas along the steeper slopes. Low lands adjacent to Mussel Fork Creek were prone to flooding and included a complex pattern of wet prairie, marshes, oxbow lakes and river bank timber. These natural communities were home to a wide diversity of plants and animals. Management emphasis on the area is aimed toward enhancing the processes that result in a diverse prairie-savanna-woodland mosaic. Woodlands are a type of wooded community characterized as...
In MDC's words, from the Mussel Fork Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Mussel Fork Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Mussel Fork Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel; Dove; Quail.
What are the rules on Mussel Fork 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 Mussel Fork Conservation Area?
Mussel Fork Conservation Area lies in 2 counties. Hunters checked 2,590 deer in Linn County in 2025, against 2,692 in 2024.
| County | Mussel Fork Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linn County | 1,783 | 2,590 | 2,692 | 2,973 |
| Macon County | 660 | 4,525 | 4,489 | 4,746 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Mussel Fork Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Brookfield, take Highway 36 east 10 miles to the area.
Nearest towns: Bucklin (2 miles), Marceline (3 miles), New Cambria (6 miles) and St. Catharine (7 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MO 129, US 36 and MO 5. 3 MRAP tracts within 3 miles.
What other public land is near Mussel Fork Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Old Marceline City Reservoir (Marceline): 68 acres, 1.7 miles away
- Griffiths Memorial Conservation Area: 135 acres, 6.5 miles away
- Marceline City Lake: 161 acres, 6.7 miles away
- Brookfield City Lake: 98 acres, 7.7 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Mussel Fork Conservation Area
Counting Mussel Fork Conservation Area itself, 2,512 of the 39,018 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (6.4%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 2,512 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Mussel Fork Conservation Area?
In Linn and Macon counties, 2 miles from Bucklin.
Can you deer hunt on Mussel Fork Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed.
How much public land is around Mussel Fork Conservation Area?
2,512 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Mussel Fork Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Old Marceline City Reservoir (Marceline) (1.7 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: MDC, Mussel Fork 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.