Ranacker Conservation Area: hunting and access
Ranacker Conservation Area is 1,832 acres of MDC land in Pike County, 2 miles from Frankford. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed). Hunters checked 4,848 deer in Pike 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 areasRanacker Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 1,832 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Pike County |
| Deer harvest unit | Pike County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel, Dove and Quail |
| MDC area number | 6710 |
| MDC region | Northeast |
| Camping (MDC) | walk-in, float-in or backpack camping (not during deer and turkey seasons) and designated camping sites |
| Shooting range (MDC) | rifle or pistol |
| Nearest towns | Frankford (2 mi), Curryville (5 mi) and Bowling Green (7 mi) |
What is Ranacker Conservation Area like?
The area is characterized by narrow valleys with numerous rock overhangs and consists of 1,447 acres of timber, 151 acres of agricultural lands and 233 acres of grasslands and old fields. Peno Creek traverses the northern portion of the area, providing over a mile of stream frontage. The Conservation Department purchased the original 716 acres in 1967 from Roy Ranacker, a local businessman. Additional purchases, partially financed by the Pittman-Robertson excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition have increased the area to its present 1,831 acres. In 1799, Benjamin Spencer established a salt business a few miles west of Frankford. Sauk and Fox Indians threatened Spencer's safety, and his salt processing works were abandoned after a short period. The salt springs later became known as Spencer Lick. Permanent Euro-American settlements occurred in the vicinity as early as 1816. The remnants of a Short Line railroad track, constructed in 1872 and abandoned in 1944, can still be seen on the area. Ranacker Conservation Area marks a point where river hills break away from the prairie. In pre-settlement times, the area probably consisted exclusively of woodlands and small prairies. It is now home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, turkey, and bobwhite quail. Management of the area focuses on providing wildlife habitat by maintaining timber edges and old fields, prescribed timber harvest and rotating agricultural crops.
In MDC's words, from the Ranacker Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Ranacker Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Ranacker Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel; Dove; Quail.
What are the rules on Ranacker 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 Ranacker Conservation Area?
Ranacker Conservation Area lies in Pike County. Hunters checked 4,848 deer in Pike County in 2025, against 4,425 in 2024.
| County | Ranacker Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pike County | 1,832 | 4,848 | 4,425 | 4,855 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Ranacker Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Frankford, take Highway 61 south 3 miles, then Route RA west.
Nearest towns: Frankford (2 miles), Curryville (5 miles), Bowling Green (7 miles) and Tarrants (7 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 61.
What other public land is near Ranacker Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Dupont Reservation Conservation Area: 1,345 acres, 7.5 miles away
- Ted Shanks Conservation Area: 6,801 acres, 8 miles away
- West Lake (Bowling Green): 27 acres, 8.8 miles away
- Upper Mississippi Conservation Area: 12,715 acres, 9.2 miles away
- Jack Floyd Memorial Lake (Bowling Green): 43 acres, 9.3 miles away
- Edward Anderson Conservation Area: 1,067 acres, 9.7 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Ranacker Conservation Area
Counting Ranacker Conservation Area itself, 1,832 of the 36,960 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (5%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 1,832 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Ranacker Conservation Area?
In Pike County, 2 miles from Frankford.
Can you deer hunt on Ranacker Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed.
How much public land is around Ranacker Conservation Area?
1,832 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Ranacker Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Dupont Reservation Conservation Area (7.5 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, Ranacker 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.