Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area: hunting and access
Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area is 3,565 acres of MDC land in Randolph, Howard and Boone counties, 3 miles from Higbee. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed). Hunters checked 2,476 deer in Randolph 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 areasRudolf Bennitt Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 3,565 acres |
|---|---|
| Counties | Randolph County, Howard County and Boone County |
| Deer harvest unit | Randolph County, Howard County, Boone County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Rabbit and Squirrel |
| MDC area number | 6214 |
| MDC region | Central |
| Camping (MDC) | open camping - walk-in/float-in/backpack, designated camping sites and individual campsites |
| Shooting range (MDC) | rifle or pistol |
| Nearest towns | Higbee (3 mi), Clark (3 mi) and Renick (5 mi) |
What is Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area like?
Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area contains 3,575 acres at the junction of Boone, Howard, and Randolph counties. It is named for Dr. Rudolf Bennitt, a zoology professor who was instrumental in getting the Conservation Department formed in the 1930's. Bennitt also served as technical advisor to the first Commission. The original tract was purchased from 10 sellers in the mid-1960's, the largest former landowner being the Catholic Church of Moberly. The mostly gentle, rolling terrain is 75 percent forested. Fields of upland native warm-season grasses and bottomland fields are scattered among the forests. This area was treated like most of Missouri's land before it was bought by the Department. The timber was grazed, logged, and burnt by occasional wildfires sweeping through the area. Through forest management, the Department is trying to improve tree growth, quality, and diversity. Better forests provide wildlife habitat for animals such as deer, turkey, and songbirds, and help maintain watershed quality. Rudolf Bennitt Lake (48 acres) was built in 1999 by the Department of Conservation in cooperation with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA) as part of the Moniteau Creek Watershed Conservation Plan. The lake provides a good fishery for bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie, and redear sunfish. Lake facilities include a disabled-accessible boat ramp, a fishing dock, and restroom. Watering ponds have been built to provide habitat and water for the area's wildlife species. Hikers, bikers, and equestrians may enjoy the Moniteau Trail. During ALL portions of firearms deer season and spring turkey season, the trails are closed to bicycle and horseback riding.
Fishing regulations: Pole and Line Fishing Only (Max. 3 poles/person); Largemouth Bass daily limit - 6 with 12-15 protected slot length; Crappie daily limit 30; Channel Catfish daily limit 4; All other fish combined daily limit 20.
In MDC's words, from the Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel.
What are the rules on Rudolf Bennitt 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 Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area?
Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area lies in 3 counties. Hunters checked 2,476 deer in Randolph County in 2025, against 2,545 in 2024.
| County | Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Randolph County | 2,300 | 2,476 | 2,545 | 2,987 |
| Howard County | 1,259 | 2,304 | 2,077 | 2,441 |
| Boone County | 6 | 3,439 | 3,174 | 3,644 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Columbia, take Highway 63 north 19 miles, then Route F west 5 miles, then Route T north 2.75 miles, then County Road 2930 west 0.50 mile to the area.
Nearest towns: Higbee (3 miles), Clark (3 miles), Renick (5 miles) and Harrisburg (7 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 63.
What other public land is near Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Hungry Mother Conservation Area: 270 acres, 3.3 miles away
- Lick Creek Conservation Area: 295 acres, 6.2 miles away
- Water Works Lake (Moberly): 20 acres, 9.7 miles away
- Rothwell Park Lake (Moberly): 24 acres, 9.8 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area
Counting Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area itself, 3,566 of the 44,577 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (8%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 3,566 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area?
In Randolph, Howard and Boone counties, 3 miles from Higbee.
Can you deer hunt on Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed.
How much public land is around Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area?
3,566 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Hungry Mother Conservation Area (3.3 miles).
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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, Rudolf Bennitt 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.