White Ranch Conservation Area: hunting and access
White Ranch Conservation Area is 6,694 acres of MDC land in Howell County, 6 miles from South Fork. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed). Hunters checked 5,474 deer in Howell 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 areasWhite Ranch Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 6,694 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Howell County |
| Deer harvest unit | Howell County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Bear, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel, Dove and Quail |
| MDC area number | 8425 |
| MDC region | Ozark |
| Camping (MDC) | individual campsites |
| Shooting range (MDC) | shotgun and rifle or pistol |
| Nearest towns | South Fork (6 mi), Koshkonong (8 mi) and Brandsville (9 mi) |
What is White Ranch Conservation Area like?
White Ranch Conservation Area is located in Howell County, approximately 11 miles south of West Plains. White Ranch is the local name for a region of land previously owned by Harry White. The 6,703-acre area is mostly forested.
Visitors to the area will find abundant populations of deer, turkey, and other wildlife species. The area offers fishing opportunities along the South Fork of the Spring River, as well as in the impoundment on Trail #4. A shooting range is located near the end of Trail #6. Its facilities include a 50- and 100-yard rifle range, plus an area set aside for shotguns. The parking lot, ranges, and public restrooms are accessible to disabled users. During your visit to the area, you may notice various forest management activities that are designed to improve tree growth, quality, and species composition. These practices also improve wildlife habitat and watershed quality.
In MDC's words, from the White Ranch Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on White Ranch Conservation Area?
MDC's page for White Ranch Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed; Bear: archery and firearms; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel; Dove; Quail.
What are the rules on White Ranch Conservation Area?
Target Shooting and Shooting Ranges: An unstaffed range is located on this department area. Target shooting is not allowed anywhere on this area except for designated shooting range(s). Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Ranges may be closed to public use at any time for maintenance or department sponsored events or programs. Possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on all ranges and associated parking lots. Groups of more than 10 people must obtain a special use permit prior to using the range. To obtain a special use permit, contact the area manager at the phone number listed...
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 White Ranch Conservation Area?
White Ranch Conservation Area lies in Howell County. Hunters checked 5,474 deer in Howell County in 2025, against 4,476 in 2024.
| County | White Ranch Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howell County | 6,694 | 5,474 | 4,476 | 6,346 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to White Ranch Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From West Plains, take Highway 17 south 7.50 miles, then County Road 8390 south 5 miles to the area.
Nearest towns: South Fork (6 miles), Koshkonong (8 miles), Brandsville (9 miles) and West Plains (11 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MO 142 and MO 17.
What other public land is near White Ranch Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Archie and Gracie Vanderhoef Memorial State Forest: 146 acres, next to it
- Tingler Prairie Conservation Area: 254 acres, 2 miles away
- Dan and Maureen Cover Prairie Conservation Area: 744 acres, 4.7 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of White Ranch Conservation Area
Counting White Ranch Conservation Area itself, 7,175 of the 64,450 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (11.1%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 7,175 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is White Ranch Conservation Area?
In Howell County, 6 miles from South Fork.
Can you deer hunt on White Ranch Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed.
How much public land is around White Ranch Conservation Area?
7,175 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, White Ranch Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Archie and Gracie Vanderhoef Memorial State Forest (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, White Ranch 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.