Ralph and Martha Perry Memorial Conservation Area: hunting and access
Ralph and Martha Perry Memorial Conservation Area is 4,204 acres of MDC land in Johnson, Pettis and Saline counties, 2 miles from Emma. MDC lists deer hunting here (muzzleloader and archery, archery antlerless permits only). Hunters checked 3,057 deer in Johnson 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 areasRalph and Martha Perry Memorial Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 4,204 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| Counties | Johnson County, Pettis County and Saline County |
| Deer harvest unit | Johnson County, Pettis County, Saline County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel, Dove and Quail |
| MDC area number | 7214 |
| MDC region | Kansas City |
| Camping (MDC) | individual campsites |
| Shooting range (MDC) | rifle or pistol |
| Nearest towns | Emma (2 mi), Sweet Springs (3 mi) and Concordia (4 mi) |
What is Ralph and Martha Perry Memorial Conservation Area like?
This area is named after the late Dr. Ralph Perry and his wife, Martha, who donated both land and money to create the conservation area. Unit 1 is located in southwestern Saline and northwestern Pettis counties. Unit 2 is in northeastern Johnson county with access provided by Highway 23.
The area features a diversity of terrain and habitats, including crop fields, old-field habitat, wetlands, glades, woodlands, and both bottomland and upland forest. Management of this 4,134-acre area includes mowing and controlled burning to maintain plant diversity in the open areas. Habitat plantings include shrubs, native grasses and trees, including two plantings of the Concordia oak, a rare three-way hybrid. Wetland management includes the seasonal flooding of more than 750 acres. A hiking trail consisting of two loops travels through varying habitats and provides access to several fishing lakes.Several small ponds, the Blackwater River and two lakes provide fishing opportunities. The Conservation Department stocks selected area waters with catfish, bass, redear sunfish and bluegill. Seasonal access to the Blackwater River is provided in Unit 1. Over seven miles of the Blackwater...
In MDC's words, from the Ralph and Martha Perry Memorial Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Ralph and Martha Perry Memorial Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Ralph and Martha Perry Memorial Conservation Area lists: Deer: muzzleloader and archery, archery antlerless permits only; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel; Dove; Quail.
What are the rules on Ralph and Martha Perry Memorial Conservation Area?
Closings: Portions of this department area are closed to protect waterfowl from October 15 through March 1.
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...
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 Ralph and Martha Perry Memorial Conservation Area?
Ralph and Martha Perry Memorial Conservation Area lies in 3 counties. Hunters checked 3,057 deer in Johnson County in 2025, against 3,151 in 2024.
| County | Ralph and Martha Perry Memorial Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson County | 2,844 | 3,057 | 3,151 | 3,490 |
| Pettis County | 1,170 | 2,867 | 3,007 | 3,146 |
| Saline County | 190 | 2,048 | 1,954 | 2,198 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Ralph and Martha Perry Memorial Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: West tract: from Concordia, take Highway 23 south 5 miles.
Nearest towns: Emma (2 miles), Sweet Springs (3 miles), Concordia (4 miles) and Houstonia (6 miles). Highways within 5 miles: I-70, US 40, MO 127 and MO 23.
What other public land is near Ralph and Martha Perry Memorial Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Edwin A. Pape Lake (Concordia): 265 acres, 0.9 miles away
- Blind Pony Lake Conservation Area: 2,197 acres, 7 miles away
- Marshall Junction Conservation Area: 768 acres, 9.9 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Ralph and Martha Perry Memorial Conservation Area
Counting Ralph and Martha Perry Memorial Conservation Area itself, 4,472 of the 60,067 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (7.4%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 4,472 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Ralph and Martha Perry Memorial Conservation Area?
In Johnson, Pettis and Saline counties, 2 miles from Emma.
Can you deer hunt on Ralph and Martha Perry Memorial Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: muzzleloader and archery, archery antlerless permits only.
How much public land is around Ralph and Martha Perry Memorial Conservation Area?
4,472 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Ralph and Martha Perry Memorial Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Edwin A. Pape Lake (Concordia) (0.9 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: MDC, Ralph and Martha Perry Memorial 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.