The Wayne Helton Memorial Wildlife Area: hunting and access
The Wayne Helton Memorial Wildlife Area is 2,740 acres of MDC land in Harrison County, 5 miles from Mount Moriah. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery and firearms, antlerless permits not allowed). Hunters checked 3,220 deer in Harrison 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 areasThe Wayne Helton Memorial Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 2,740 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Harrison County |
| Deer harvest unit | Harrison County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel, Dove and Quail |
| MDC area number | 6902 |
| MDC region | Northwest |
| Camping (MDC) | designated camping sites |
| Nearest towns | Mount Moriah (5 mi), Brimson (6 mi) and Gilman City (7 mi) |
What is The Wayne Helton Memorial Wildlife Area like?
The Conservation Department established this wildlife area in 1969 with the purchase of 440 acres from Nina Pauline Helton, widow of the late J. Wayne Helton, who served as the conservation agent for Caldwell and Daviess counties from 1941 until 1965. The purchase of several additional tracts since 1969 has increased the area to its current size.
The northwest corner of the area includes the Helton Prairie Natural Area, one of the best examples of native prairie in north Missouri. Nearly 200 native prairie plants have been identified on the 30-acre natural area. Because of its size and diversity, Wayne Helton Memorial Wildlife Area is managed for a wide range of game and non-game wildlife species. Management activities on the area include farming, prescribed burning, native vegetation establishment, discing, and food plots. Very few unplowed prairies exist in northern Missouri. Wildflower displays are especially notable from mid-May until early July.
In MDC's words, from the The Wayne Helton Memorial Wildlife Area page.
What can you hunt on The Wayne Helton Memorial Wildlife Area?
MDC's page for The Wayne Helton Memorial Wildlife Area lists: Deer: archery and firearms, antlerless permits not allowed; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel; Dove; Quail.
What are the rules on The Wayne Helton Memorial Wildlife Area?
Field Trials: Field trials are allowed on this department area only by special use permit. To obtain a special use permit, contact the area manager at the phone number listed for this area in the area details section.
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 The Wayne Helton Memorial Wildlife Area?
The Wayne Helton Memorial Wildlife Area lies in Harrison County. Hunters checked 3,220 deer in Harrison County in 2025, against 3,217 in 2024.
| County | The Wayne Helton Memorial Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrison County | 2,740 | 3,220 | 3,217 | 3,623 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to The Wayne Helton Memorial Wildlife Area?
MDC's directions: From Bethany, take Highway 136 east 9 miles, then Route CC south (right) 3 miles to the area.
Nearest towns: Mount Moriah (5 miles), Brimson (6 miles), Gilman City (7 miles) and Leisure Lake (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 136.
What other public land is near The Wayne Helton Memorial Wildlife Area?
Public land within 3 miles of The Wayne Helton Memorial Wildlife Area
Counting The Wayne Helton Memorial Wildlife Area itself, 2,740 of the 38,467 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (7.1%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 2,740 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is The Wayne Helton Memorial Wildlife Area?
In Harrison County, 5 miles from Mount Moriah.
Can you deer hunt on The Wayne Helton Memorial Wildlife Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery and firearms, antlerless permits not allowed.
How much public land is around The Wayne Helton Memorial Wildlife Area?
2,740 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, The Wayne Helton Memorial Wildlife 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, The Wayne Helton Memorial Wildlife 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.