Osage Fork Conservation Area: hunting and access
Osage Fork Conservation Area is 281 acres of MDC land in Laclede County, 4 miles from Evergreen. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery only, antlerless permits allowed). Hunters checked 3,328 deer in Laclede 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 areasOsage Fork Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 281 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Laclede County |
| Deer harvest unit | Laclede County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Bear, Turkey, Rabbit and Squirrel |
| MDC area number | 6528 |
| MDC region | Southwest |
| Shooting range (MDC) | archery |
| Nearest towns | Evergreen (4 mi), Phillipsburg (6 mi) and Lebanon (6 mi) |
What is Osage Fork Conservation Area like?
This 280 acre area was acquired in 1965 from the University of Missouri. The area is open to hunting and there are opportunities for wildlife viewing. An archery range is provided through an agreement between the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Lebanon Area Bowhunters, Inc.
In MDC's words, from the Osage Fork Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Osage Fork Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Osage Fork Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery only, antlerless permits allowed; Bear: archery and firearms; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel.
What are the rules on Osage Fork 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 Osage Fork Conservation Area?
Osage Fork Conservation Area lies in Laclede County. Hunters checked 3,328 deer in Laclede County in 2025, against 3,168 in 2024.
| County | Osage Fork Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laclede County | 281 | 3,328 | 3,168 | 4,001 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Osage Fork Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Lebanon, take Highway 5 south 4 miles, then Route C west 1.25 miles, and Canary Road west 1 mile. Watch for cantilever sign.
Nearest towns: Evergreen (4 miles), Phillipsburg (6 miles), Lebanon (6 miles) and Conway (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: I-44 and MO 5.
What other public land is near Osage Fork Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Coleman Memorial Conservation Area: 65 acres, 4.4 miles away
- Goose Creek Conservation Area: 882 acres, 5.1 miles away
- John Alva Fuson, MD Conservation Area: 1,517 acres, 7.2 miles away
- Long Ford Access: 40 acres, 8.1 miles away
- Rader Access: 67 acres, 8.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Osage Fork Conservation Area
Counting Osage Fork Conservation Area itself, 281 of the 23,855 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 | 281 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Osage Fork Conservation Area?
In Laclede County, 4 miles from Evergreen.
Can you deer hunt on Osage Fork Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery only, antlerless permits allowed.
How much public land is around Osage Fork Conservation Area?
281 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Osage Fork Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Coleman Memorial Conservation Area (4.4 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, Osage 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.