Russell B., Hazel S. and Arnold L. VanDyke Conservation Area: hunting and access
Russell B., Hazel S. and Arnold L. VanDyke Conservation Area is 320 acres of MDC land in Mercer County, 4 miles from Ravanna. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed). Hunters checked 2,036 deer in Mercer 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 areasRussell B., Hazel S. and Arnold L. VanDyke Conservation AreaCounty lineHighway
| Size | 320 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Mercer County |
| Deer harvest unit | Mercer County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey and Squirrel |
| MDC area number | 200102 |
| MDC region | Northwest |
| Nearest towns | Ravanna (4 mi), Newtown (4 mi) and Lucerne (6 mi) |
What is Russell B., Hazel S. and Arnold L. VanDyke Conservation Area like?
This area was obtained by the Conservation Department in 1999 from Mr. Ronald VanDyke and named after his relatives. It consists of approximately half hardwood timber in various age and size classes and half old fields and native grasses.
A portion of Medicine Creek runs for four-tenths mile along the western boundary of the area. The area is managed with a combination of prescribed fire, haying, and food plots.
In MDC's words, from the Russell B., Hazel S. and Arnold L. VanDyke Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Russell B., Hazel S. and Arnold L. VanDyke Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Russell B., Hazel S. and Arnold L. VanDyke Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed; Turkey: archery and firearms; Squirrel.
What are the rules on Russell B., Hazel S. and Arnold L. VanDyke 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 Russell B., Hazel S. and Arnold L. VanDyke Conservation Area?
Russell B., Hazel S. and Arnold L. VanDyke Conservation Area lies in Mercer County. Hunters checked 2,036 deer in Mercer County in 2025, against 2,044 in 2024.
| County | Russell B., Hazel S. and Arnold L. VanDyke Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer County | 320 | 2,036 | 2,044 | 2,109 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Russell B., Hazel S. and Arnold L. VanDyke Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Princeton, take Highway 136 east 9 miles, then take Route DD south 2.50 miles, then take Foothill Street east 1.50 miles to the area.
Nearest towns: Ravanna (4 miles), Newtown (4 miles), Lucerne (6 miles) and Harris (7 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 136 and MO 139.
What other public land is near Russell B., Hazel S. and Arnold L. VanDyke Conservation Area?
Public land within 3 miles of Russell B., Hazel S. and Arnold L. VanDyke Conservation Area
Counting Russell B., Hazel S. and Arnold L. VanDyke Conservation Area itself, 320 of the 24,208 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (1.3%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 320 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Russell B., Hazel S. and Arnold L. VanDyke Conservation Area?
In Mercer County, 4 miles from Ravanna.
Can you deer hunt on Russell B., Hazel S. and Arnold L. VanDyke Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed.
How much public land is around Russell B., Hazel S. and Arnold L. VanDyke Conservation Area?
320 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Russell B., Hazel S. and Arnold L. VanDyke Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: MDC, Russell B., Hazel S. and Arnold L. VanDyke 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.