Sky Prairie Conservation Area: hunting and access
Sky Prairie Conservation Area is 203 acres of MDC land in Cedar County, 6 miles from Jerico Springs. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery only, antlerless permits allowed). Hunters checked 2,334 deer in Cedar 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 areasSky Prairie Conservation AreaCounty lineHighway
| Size | 203 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Cedar County |
| Deer harvest unit | Cedar County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Bear, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel and Quail |
| MDC area number | 8131 |
| MDC region | Southwest |
| Nearest towns | Jerico Springs (6 mi), Stockton (8 mi) and Umber View Heights (9 mi) |
What is Sky Prairie Conservation Area like?
Sky Prairie Conservation Area was purchased in 1981 and encompasses 200 acres. Sky Prairie is composed of remnant prairie that is bisected by several brushy draws. This prairie was a popular cattle and horse watering point in the 1800s when cattle were being driven from Arkansas to Kansas City to be sold. A combination of prescribed burning and haying is used to maintain the prairie in a diverse plant community and to discourage invasion by woody species. The area is home to bobwhite quail, rabbits, and a few deer. Many species of grassland birds can also be seen using this area.
In MDC's words, from the Sky Prairie Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Sky Prairie Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Sky Prairie Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery only, antlerless permits allowed; Bear: archery and firearms; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel; Quail.
What are the rules on Sky Prairie 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 Sky Prairie Conservation Area?
Sky Prairie Conservation Area lies in Cedar County. Hunters checked 2,334 deer in Cedar County in 2025, against 2,191 in 2024.
| County | Sky Prairie Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar County | 203 | 2,334 | 2,191 | 2,658 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Sky Prairie Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From the junction of Highway 32 and Route CC south of El Dorado Springs, take 821 Road south 2.50 miles, then 1400 Road west 1 mile.
Nearest towns: Jerico Springs (6 miles), Stockton (8 miles), Umber View Heights (9 miles) and Arcola (10 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MO 32 and MO 97.
What other public land is near Sky Prairie Conservation Area?
Public land within 3 miles of Sky Prairie Conservation Area
Counting Sky Prairie Conservation Area itself, 203 of the 22,806 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (0.9%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 203 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Sky Prairie Conservation Area?
In Cedar County, 6 miles from Jerico Springs.
Can you deer hunt on Sky Prairie Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery only, antlerless permits allowed.
How much public land is around Sky Prairie Conservation Area?
203 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Sky Prairie Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
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, Sky Prairie 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.