Pleasant Hope Conservation Area: hunting and access
Pleasant Hope Conservation Area is 1,109 acres of MDC land in Polk County, 2 miles from Pleasant Hope. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery and firearms, antlerless permits not allowed). Hunters checked 3,152 deer in Polk 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 areasPleasant Hope Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 1,109 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Polk County |
| Deer harvest unit | Polk County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Bear, Turkey, Rabbit and Squirrel |
| MDC area number | 6121 |
| MDC region | Southwest |
| Camping (MDC) | open camping - walk-in/float-in/backpack |
| Nearest towns | Pleasant Hope (2 mi), Morrisville (7 mi) and Fair Grove (8 mi) |
What is Pleasant Hope Conservation Area like?
Approximately 90 percent of the area is forested. Non-forested areas are composed of old fields and wildlife food plots. Several small ponds provide wildlife watering holes and limited fishing opportunities. The area is home to numerous wildlife species, including deer, turkey, squirrel, and raccoon. Food plots, forest thinnings, and small forest clearings are designed to improve wildlife habitat. Several small glades are located on the area. In addition to the natural resources, there are numerous recreational opportunities. There is approximately 9.4 miles of multiuse trails on the area open to hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Please note that multiuse trails are closed during all portions of the firearms deer season and spring turkey season.
In MDC's words, from the Pleasant Hope Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Pleasant Hope Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Pleasant Hope Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery and firearms, antlerless permits not allowed; Bear: archery and firearms; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel.
What are the rules on Pleasant Hope 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 Pleasant Hope Conservation Area?
Pleasant Hope Conservation Area lies in Polk County. Hunters checked 3,152 deer in Polk County in 2025, against 2,959 in 2024.
| County | Pleasant Hope Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County | 1,109 | 3,152 | 2,959 | 3,379 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Pleasant Hope Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Pleasant Hope, take Route H south 1.75 miles, then west on Farm Road 564.
Nearest towns: Pleasant Hope (2 miles), Morrisville (7 miles), Fair Grove (8 miles) and Willard (11 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MO 13 and MO 215.
What other public land is near Pleasant Hope Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Dale Sare Conservation Area: 316 acres, 3.2 miles away
- Little Sac Woods Conservation Area: 772 acres, 4.3 miles away
- Fellows Lake (Springfield City Utilities): 805 acres, 7.9 miles away
- Rocky Barrens Conservation Area: 275 acres, 8.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Pleasant Hope Conservation Area
Counting Pleasant Hope Conservation Area itself, 1,120 of the 31,389 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (3.6%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 1,120 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Pleasant Hope Conservation Area?
In Polk County, 2 miles from Pleasant Hope.
Can you deer hunt on Pleasant Hope Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery and firearms, antlerless permits not allowed.
How much public land is around Pleasant Hope Conservation Area?
1,120 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Pleasant Hope Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Dale Sare Conservation Area (3.2 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: MDC, Pleasant Hope 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.