Rocky Barrens Conservation Area: hunting and access
Rocky Barrens Conservation Area is 275 acres of MDC land in Greene County, next to Willard. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery only, antlerless permits allowed). Hunters checked 2,955 deer in Greene 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 areasCounty, city and regional landLand trusts and other open landRocky Barrens Conservation AreaCounty lineHighway
| Size | 275 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Greene County |
| Deer harvest unit | Greene County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Rabbit and Squirrel |
| MDC area number | 8916 |
| MDC region | Southwest |
| Nearest towns | Willard (next to it), Ash Grove (10 mi) and Springfield (10 mi) |
What is Rocky Barrens Conservation Area like?
This 281-acre area in Greene County is located within the boundaries of the largest Mississippian limestone glade ecosystem in the region. The limestone glade community is characterized by thin, rapidly drained soils, interspersed with rock fragments and dissected by horizontal layers of exposed limestone bedrock. Dry conditions prevail during summer and fall, but extended wet periods occur during winter and spring.
In March 1835, Elias Barcroft, surveying the Rocky Barrens area for the U.S. Government described it as "...very hilly and broken almost naked hills covered with ledges of limestone rocks and also loose falt limestone flint and gravel." One hundred and fifty years of settlement and changing agricultural practices have changed the region drastically. "Naked hills" are now covered with dense growth of cedars and other trees. Aggressive non-native plants, including fescue, musk thistle and brome grass, are replacing native plants. Actual glades are now in small isolated areas. Management practices, including prescribed burns and cedar tree removal, are underway on the area to expand and protect populations of native glade-loving plants. Hunting is allowed, but please note that firearms that fire a single projectile are prohibited on the area.
In MDC's words, from the Rocky Barrens Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Rocky Barrens Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Rocky Barrens Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery only, antlerless permits allowed; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel.
What are the rules on Rocky Barrens Conservation Area?
MDC's standard conservation area rules (Chapter 11 of the Wildlife Code) apply; the area's rules on MDC's site list any it adds.
How many deer are taken around Rocky Barrens Conservation Area?
Rocky Barrens Conservation Area lies in Greene County. Hunters checked 2,955 deer in Greene County in 2025, against 2,813 in 2024.
| County | Rocky Barrens Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greene County | 275 | 2,955 | 2,813 | 3,386 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Rocky Barrens Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Willard, take Route O east, then Farm Road 105 north.
Nearest towns: Willard (next to it), Ash Grove (10 miles), Springfield (10 miles) and Republic (10 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MO 13, US 160, I-44, MO 123 and MO 744.
What other public land is near Rocky Barrens Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Little Sac Woods Conservation Area: 772 acres, 3.8 miles away
- Dale Sare Conservation Area: 316 acres, 4.4 miles away
- Bois D'Arc Conservation Area: 3,210 acres, 4.5 miles away
- Pleasant Hope Conservation Area: 1,109 acres, 8.3 miles away
- Fellows Lake (Springfield City Utilities): 805 acres, 8.6 miles away
- Phenix Access: 149 acres, 9.4 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Rocky Barrens Conservation Area
Counting Rocky Barrens Conservation Area itself, 361 of the 25,131 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (1.4%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 276 |
| County, city and regional land | 81 |
| Land trusts and other open land | 4 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Rocky Barrens Conservation Area?
In Greene County, next to Willard.
Can you deer hunt on Rocky Barrens Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery only, antlerless permits allowed.
How much public land is around Rocky Barrens Conservation Area?
361 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Rocky Barrens Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Little Sac Woods Conservation Area (3.8 miles).
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, Rocky Barrens 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.