Platte Falls Conservation Area: hunting and access
Platte Falls Conservation Area is 2,623 acres of MDC land in Platte County, next to Tracy. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery only, antlerless permits not allowed). Hunters checked 1,153 deer in Platte 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 areasState parks and historic sitesCounty, city and regional landPlatte Falls Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 2,623 acres (2,424 by MDC's page) in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Platte County |
| Deer harvest unit | Platte County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel, Dove and Quail |
| MDC area number | 7929 |
| MDC region | Kansas City |
| Shooting range (MDC) | archery, waterfowl hunting and open hunting |
| Nearest towns | Tracy (next to it), Platte City (next to it) and Camden Point (3 mi) |
What is Platte Falls Conservation Area like?
The Conservation Department purchased Platte Falls Wildlife Management Area in 1980 with funds from the 1/8 of 1% Design for Conservation sales tax. The 2,366-acre area includes1,320 acres of bottomland and upland timber,295 acres of agricultural lands,515 acres of grasslands and old fields, and 206 acres of wetlands.
Hunting, fishing, hiking, canoeing, and birdwatching are popular here, and a 9.1-mile unchannelized stretch of the Platte River flowing through the area allows many river-oriented activities and recreations. The portion of the area where the river forms the rough shape of a duck's head is very unique. The "neck" of the duck's head has a boat ramp on each side. Anglers/canoeists/kayakers can launch at the upstream ramp and enjoy a float of over 2-1/2 miles without the need to shuttle a vehicle. The area also has an archery sight-in range.
In MDC's words, from the Platte Falls Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Platte Falls Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Platte Falls Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery only, antlerless permits not allowed; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel; Dove; Quail.
What are the rules on Platte Falls Conservation Area?
Target Shooting and Shooting Ranges: A static archery range is located on this department area. Only archery equipment may be used on locations designated as an archery range. The use of arrows, bolts or darts containing any type of explosive or incendiary material is prohibited. Other special regulations may apply to the use of targets on archery ranges.
Hunting: Nontoxic shot is required for all hunting with a shotgun on this area. Use or possession of lead shot is prohibited.
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 Platte Falls Conservation Area?
Platte Falls Conservation Area lies in Platte County. Hunters checked 1,153 deer in Platte County in 2025, against 1,102 in 2024.
| County | Platte Falls Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platte County | 2,623 | 1,153 | 1,102 | 1,209 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Platte Falls Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: South side: Take Route HH (Platte City exit) east 0.60 mile.
Nearest towns: Tracy (next to it), Platte City (next to it), Camden Point (3 miles) and Ferrelview (5 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 71, I-29, I-435, MO 92 and MO 45.
What other public land is near Platte Falls Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Guy B. Park Conservation Area: 374 acres, 2.2 miles away
- Dr. Frederick Marshall Conservation Area: 178 acres, 3.9 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Platte Falls Conservation Area
Counting Platte Falls Conservation Area itself, 3,085 of the 44,024 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (7%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 2,928 |
| County, city and regional land | 157 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Platte Falls Conservation Area?
In Platte County, next to Tracy.
Can you deer hunt on Platte Falls Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery only, antlerless permits not allowed.
How much public land is around Platte Falls Conservation Area?
3,085 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Platte Falls Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Guy B. Park Conservation Area (2.2 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, Platte Falls 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.