Peabody Conservation Area: hunting and access
Peabody Conservation Area is 290 acres of MDC land in Bates County, 4 miles from Rich Hill. MDC lists deer hunting here (muzzleloader and archery, antlerless permits not allowed). Hunters checked 2,316 deer in Bates 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 areasPeabody Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 290 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Bates County |
| Deer harvest unit | Bates County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Bear, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel, Dove and Quail |
| MDC area number | 6405 |
| MDC region | Kansas City |
| Camping (MDC) | designated camping sites |
| Nearest towns | Rich Hill (4 mi), Foster (5 mi) and Metz (6 mi) |
What is Peabody Conservation Area like?
The Peabody Conservation Area (299 acres) and Harmony Mission Lake Conservation Area (1,080 acres) are managed as one area. Although separated by name, the areas adjoin and are managed primarily for early-successional, upland habitat suitable for Northern Bobwhite and other grassland nesting birds. The areas provide recreational opportunities to the public including hunting, trapping and camping. The areas also provide good fishing opportunity in a 96-acre lake and six water-filled strip-pits totaling 23 acres.
The Peabody Conservation Area was once mined for coal. It was donated to the Conservation Department around 1960. Peabody lands are largely strip mine spoil mounds that have grown up in woods. Work on the area began when Conservation Department personnel, Future Farmers of America and Vocational Agriculture school groups from Rich Hill, Butler and Adrian planted cover strips, spread lime and seeded food plots. They also started windbreaks to stop soil erosion. Tractors and other equipment for the project were supplied by three local implement dealers.
In MDC's words, from the Peabody Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Peabody Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Peabody Conservation Area lists: Deer: muzzleloader and archery, antlerless permits not allowed; Bear: archery and firearms; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel; Dove; Quail.
What are the rules on Peabody Conservation Area?
Dove Hunting: Use or possession of lead shot is prohibited for hunting doves on this area.
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 Peabody Conservation Area?
Peabody Conservation Area lies in Bates County. Hunters checked 2,316 deer in Bates County in 2025, against 2,212 in 2024.
| County | Peabody Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bates County | 290 | 2,316 | 2,212 | 2,397 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Peabody Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Rich Hill take Route A west approximately 4 miles.
Nearest towns: Rich Hill (4 miles), Foster (5 miles), Metz (6 miles) and Hume (7 miles). Highways within 5 miles: I-49 and US 71.
What other public land is near Peabody Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Harmony Mission Lake Conservation Area: 1,067 acres, next to it
- Gama Grass Prairie Conservation Area: 78 acres, 4.9 miles away
- Old Town Access: 296 acres, 4.9 miles away
- Ripgut Prairie Natural Area: 280 acres, 5.5 miles away
- August A. Busch Jr. Memorial Wetlands at Four Rivers Conservation Area: 13,960 acres, 6.5 miles away
- Balltown Access: 180 acres, 7.2 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Peabody Conservation Area
Counting Peabody Conservation Area itself, 1,356 of the 25,101 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (5.4%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 1,356 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Peabody Conservation Area?
In Bates County, 4 miles from Rich Hill.
Can you deer hunt on Peabody Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: muzzleloader and archery, antlerless permits not allowed.
How much public land is around Peabody Conservation Area?
1,356 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Peabody Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Harmony Mission Lake Conservation Area (next to it).
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, Peabody 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.