Peck Ranch Conservation Area: hunting and access
Peck Ranch Conservation Area is 29,462 acres of MDC land in Carter and Shannon counties, 3 miles from Fremont. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery and firearms, archery antlerless permits only). Hunters checked 2,210 deer in Carter 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 forestNational park land (Ozark National Scenic Riverways and others)Other state landLand trusts and other open landPeck Ranch Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 29,462 acres |
|---|---|
| Counties | Carter County and Shannon County |
| Deer harvest unit | Carter County, Shannon County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Bear, Turkey, Squirrel and Dove |
| MDC area number | 5203 |
| MDC region | Ozark |
| MDC managed hunts | deer and turkey |
| Camping (MDC) | open camping - walk-in/float-in/backpack, designated camping sites and individual campsites |
| Shooting range (MDC) | archery and rifle or pistol |
| Nearest towns | Fremont (3 mi), Van Buren (4 mi) and Winona (6 mi) |
What is Peck Ranch Conservation Area like?
Peck Ranch consists of 29,763 acres of rugged, forested hills and hollows. Limestone and rhyolite glades provide natural openings among the oak-pine forest that dominates the region. Narrow ridges range from 900 to 1,000 feet in elevation. The area's highest point is Stegall Mountain, 1,348 feet above sea level. Rogers Creek and Mill Creek, which flow into the Current River, meander through the area. Peck Ranch is home to Missouri's wild elk cohort as well as a vast diversity of other wildlife. A visit to Peck Ranch brings opportunity to view White-tailed deer, wild turkeys, song birds, and many other native species. Diverse management techniques are used to maintain and restore the many natural communities on Peck Ranch.
In MDC's words, from the Peck Ranch Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Peck Ranch Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Peck Ranch Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery and firearms, archery antlerless permits only; Bear: archery and firearms; Turkey: archery and firearms; Squirrel; Dove. It also lists managed hunts for deer and turkey; MDC's managed deer hunt list has the dates and how to apply.
What are the rules on Peck Ranch 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 Peck Ranch Conservation Area?
Peck Ranch Conservation Area lies in 2 counties. Hunters checked 2,210 deer in Carter County in 2025, against 1,539 in 2024.
| County | Peck Ranch Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carter County | 27,757 | 2,210 | 1,539 | 2,942 |
| Shannon County | 1,705 | 3,030 | 2,069 | 4,146 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Peck Ranch Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Winona, take Route H east 5 miles, then continue east on gravel 7 miles to the area in Carter County.
Nearest towns: Fremont (3 miles), Van Buren (4 miles), Winona (6 miles) and Eminence (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 60, MO 106 and MO 21.
What other public land is near Peck Ranch Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Rocky Creek Conservation Area: 42,323 acres, next to it
- Current River Conservation Area: 29,828 acres, next to it
- Twin Pines Conservation Center: 459 acres, 4.1 miles away
- Clearwater Conservation Area: 11,405 acres, 5.5 miles away
- Logan Creek Conservation Area: 13,156 acres, 6.8 miles away
- Carter Creek Conservation Area: 444 acres, 6.9 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Peck Ranch Conservation Area
Counting Peck Ranch Conservation Area itself, 73,520 of the 107,366 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (68.5%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 47,326 |
| National forest | 15,590 |
| National park land (Ozark National Scenic Riverways and others) | 8,957 |
| Land trusts and other open land | 1,647 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Peck Ranch Conservation Area?
In Carter and Shannon counties, 3 miles from Fremont.
Can you deer hunt on Peck Ranch Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery and firearms, archery antlerless permits only.
How much public land is around Peck Ranch Conservation Area?
73,520 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Peck Ranch Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Rocky Creek Conservation Area (next to it).
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, Peck Ranch 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.