W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area: hunting and access
W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area is 283 acres of MDC land in Pettis County, 3 miles from Green Ridge. MDC lists deer hunting here (muzzleloader and archery, archery antlerless permits only). Hunters checked 2,867 deer in Pettis 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 areasState parks and historic sitesW. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation AreaCounty lineHighway
| Size | 283 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Pettis County |
| Deer harvest unit | Pettis County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Bear, Turkey, Rabbit and Quail |
| MDC area number | 8844 |
| MDC region | Kansas City |
| Nearest towns | Green Ridge (3 mi), Windsor (5 mi) and Whiteman AFB (10 mi) |
What is W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area like?
The original 120 acres of this area was donated in 1987 by William R. Kearn. In 2011 an additional 162 acres were added. Intensive management has occurred to provide grassland habitat for a variety of wildlife species. High quality grasslands are important for many species.
This area is managed for grassland diversity that provides habitat for a diverse group of plants and animals. Because less than one-half of one percent of our original prairie remains, some of these species have become increasingly rare. Area managers use prescribed fire, grazing, and other management practices to maintain healthy grasslands, simulate historic disturbances, and limit the negative impacts of invasive plants.
In MDC's words, from the W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area?
MDC's page for W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area lists: Deer: muzzleloader and archery, archery antlerless permits only; Bear: archery and firearms; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Quail.
What are the rules on W. R. Kearn Memorial 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 W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area?
W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area lies in Pettis County. Hunters checked 2,867 deer in Pettis County in 2025, against 3,007 in 2024.
| County | W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pettis County | 283 | 2,867 | 3,007 | 3,146 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Green Ridge, take Route B west 3 miles, then Hope Dale Road south 1.30 miles.
Nearest towns: Green Ridge (3 miles), Windsor (5 miles), Whiteman AFB (10 miles) and Ionia (10 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MO 127 and MO 52.
What other public land is near W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Bryson's Hope Conservation Area: 294 acres, next to it
- Bruns Tract: 159 acres, 0.5 miles away
- J. N. Turkey Kearn Memorial Wildlife Area: 1,700 acres, 0.8 miles away
- Hartwell Conservation Area: 163 acres, 1.1 miles away
- Grandfather Prairie Conservation Area: 81 acres, 8.5 miles away
- Friendly Prairie Conservation Area: 39 acres, 9.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area
Counting W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area itself, 1,257 of the 23,652 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (5.3%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 1,252 |
| State parks and historic sites | 5 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area?
In Pettis County, 3 miles from Green Ridge.
Can you deer hunt on W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: muzzleloader and archery, archery antlerless permits only.
How much public land is around W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area?
1,257 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Bryson's Hope Conservation Area (next to it).
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, W. R. Kearn Memorial 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.