University Forest Conservation Area: hunting and access
University Forest Conservation Area is 7,158 acres of MDC land in Butler and Wayne counties, 8 miles from Williamsville. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery and firearms, archery antlerless permits only). Hunters checked 1,852 deer in Butler 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 forestNational wildlife refugesState parks and historic sitesUniversity Forest Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 7,158 acres in 7 pieces |
|---|---|
| Counties | Butler County and Wayne County |
| Deer harvest unit | Butler County, Wayne County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Bear, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel and Quail |
| MDC area number | 8850 |
| MDC region | Southeast |
| Nearest towns | Williamsville (8 mi), Puxico (8 mi) and Poplar Bluff (8 mi) |
What is University Forest Conservation Area like?
University Forest Conservation Area is in Wayne and Butler counties. The area is located near the south side of Lake Wappapello and is approximately 10 miles north of Poplar Bluff. Visitors can access the area from Routes W, KK, and T in Butler County and Highway 172 and Route W in Wayne County. This 7,149-acre area is purposed for continuing forest research, creating forest products, woodland-related recreation opportunities for the public, and to demonstrate the effects of forest management. The area primarily consists of oak-hickory forests with a scattering of shortleaf pine forest. Tree species include black oak, scarlet oak, hickory, maple, and dogwood. The forest provides habitat for deer, turkey, pileated woodpeckers, squirrels, and other typical Ozark wildlife. Multi-use trails allow hiking and horseback riding as noted in the area brochure.
In MDC's words, from the University Forest Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on University Forest Conservation Area?
MDC's page for University Forest Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery and firearms, archery antlerless permits only; Bear: archery and firearms; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel; Quail.
What are the rules on University Forest 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 University Forest Conservation Area?
University Forest Conservation Area lies in 2 counties. Hunters checked 1,852 deer in Butler County in 2025, against 1,490 in 2024.
| County | University Forest Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butler County | 4,561 | 1,852 | 1,490 | 2,045 |
| Wayne County | 2,597 | 4,081 | 2,680 | 4,014 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to University Forest Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Poplar Bluff to the main tract, take Highway 67 north 15 miles, then Highway 172 east 4.50 miles, and Route W south 3 miles.
Nearest towns: Williamsville (8 miles), Puxico (8 miles), Poplar Bluff (8 miles) and Fisk (10 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 67 and MO 49.
What other public land is near University Forest Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Poplar Bluff Conservation Area: 1,118 acres, 4 miles away
- Stephen J. Sun Conservation Area: 505 acres, 4.5 miles away
- Yokum School Conservation Area: 160 acres, 4.8 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of University Forest Conservation Area
Counting University Forest Conservation Area itself, 26,078 of the 67,285 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (38.8%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National forest | 16,947 |
| MDC conservation areas | 7,206 |
| State parks and historic sites | 1,925 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is University Forest Conservation Area?
In Butler and Wayne counties, 8 miles from Williamsville.
Can you deer hunt on University Forest Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery and firearms, archery antlerless permits only.
How much public land is around University Forest Conservation Area?
26,078 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, University Forest Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Poplar Bluff Conservation Area (4 miles).
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, University Forest 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.