Schell-Osage Conservation Area: hunting and access
Schell-Osage Conservation Area is 8,654 acres of MDC land in Vernon, St. Clair and Bates counties, next to Schell City. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery only, antlerless permits allowed). Hunters checked 3,131 deer in Vernon 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 areasNational wildlife refugesLand trusts and other open landSchell-Osage Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 8,654 acres |
|---|---|
| Counties | Vernon County, St. Clair County and Bates County |
| Deer harvest unit | Vernon County, St. Clair County, Bates County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel and Quail |
| MDC area number | 5701 |
| MDC region | Kansas City |
| Camping (MDC) | individual campsites |
| Nearest towns | Schell City (next to it), Rockville (2 mi) and Harwood (4 mi) |
What is Schell-Osage Conservation Area like?
Schell-Osage Conservation Area and the Osage River, which forms the area's north boundary, derive their names from the Osage Indians that once inhabited the area. Initially purchased in 1957, development of the wetland units and water supply lakes was completed in 1962 and opened to waterfowl hunting in 1964. The Harry S. Truman Dam and Reservoir was completed in 1979, which affected flood frequency and duration of the Osage River and floodplain, including portions of Schell-Osage. The area features a unique combination of habitats including wetlands, upland and bottomland forest, cropland, old fields, and lakes and ponds. Also, Little Headwaters, Little Gem, Little Stony Point, Little Savanna, and Little Sandy prairies combine to make up over 40 acres of remnant native prairie, which have been augmented with over 340 acres of restored grasslands. The 1,425 acres of managed wetlands provides habitat for a wide variety of waterfowl, shore birds, wading birds, and other wetland dependent species, which makes this area popular for both waterfowl hunters and birders.
In MDC's words, from the Schell-Osage Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Schell-Osage Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Schell-Osage Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery only, antlerless permits allowed; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel; Quail.
What are the rules on Schell-Osage Conservation Area?
Closings: Portions of this department area are closed to protect waterfowl from October 15 through March 1.
Hunting: Nontoxic shot is required for all hunting with a shotgun on this area. Use or possession of lead shot is prohibited.
Waterfowl Hunting: Waterfowl hunting is prohibited after 1:00 p.m. on designated portions of this area (one of several MDC lists for this rule).
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 Schell-Osage Conservation Area?
Schell-Osage Conservation Area lies in 3 counties. Hunters checked 3,131 deer in Vernon County in 2025, against 3,183 in 2024.
| County | Schell-Osage Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vernon County | 4,753 | 3,131 | 3,183 | 3,197 |
| St. Clair County | 3,900 | 3,383 | 3,309 | 3,990 |
| Bates County | 2 | 2,316 | 2,212 | 2,397 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Schell-Osage Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From El Dorado Springs, take Highway 54 west 6 miles, then Route AA north 12 miles, then Route RA east 1.50 miles (last 0.50 mile is gravel), then 2950 Road south 0.25 mile to the area.
Nearest towns: Schell City (next to it), Rockville (2 miles), Harwood (4 miles) and El Dorado Springs (7 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MO 82.
What other public land is near Schell-Osage Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Taberville Prairie Conservation Area: 1,693 acres, 2.5 miles away
- Wah'Kon-Tah Prairie: 3,563 acres, 2.8 miles away
- Linscomb Wildlife Area: 2,422 acres, 4.7 miles away
- August A. Busch Jr. Memorial Wetlands at Four Rivers Conservation Area: 13,960 acres, 5.5 miles away
- Monegaw Prairie Conservation Area: 267 acres, 8.3 miles away
- Truman Reservoir Management Lands (Salt Creek): 3,708 acres, 9.9 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Schell-Osage Conservation Area
Counting Schell-Osage Conservation Area itself, 9,136 of the 61,836 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (14.8%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 8,973 |
| National wildlife refuges | 162 |
| Land trusts and other open land | 1 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Schell-Osage Conservation Area?
In Vernon, St. Clair and Bates counties, next to Schell City.
Can you deer hunt on Schell-Osage Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery only, antlerless permits allowed.
How much public land is around Schell-Osage Conservation Area?
9,136 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Schell-Osage Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Taberville Prairie Conservation Area (2.5 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: MDC, Schell-Osage 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.
Missouri hunting Vernon County St. Clair County Bates County