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Welcome to the Central Regional
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Regional MDC Office

Missouri Dept. of Conservation
1907 Hillcrest Dr.
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 884-6861


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:: Central Regional Notices ::

Regional notices listed for the following subjects and areas:

Reform Conservation Area is closed whenever its security level reaches high (orange). The current security level is: security level


Blind Pony Lake is closed for renovation for the next several years. Only Blind Pony Lake itself is closed. The rest of the area, including four small ponds, is open as usual.

Other nearby lakes available for fishing include: Malta Bend Community Lake, Marshall Habilitation Center Lake, Maple Leaf Lake Conservation Area near Higginsville, Edwin A. Pape Lake near Concordia, and Lake Wooldridge at Van Meter State Park.

Blind Pony Hatchery is one of six locations in the nation that is hatching the federally endangered pallid sturgeon and the Department of Conservation is taking advantage of federal funds to replace hatchery water supply lines, construct an additional building, and drain and deepen the lake. Blind Pony’s capability to raise other fish for statewide stocking will also be enhanced.


Where to go: Hunting in the Central Region

Central Missouri's numerous public lands range from rich bottomland forests along the Missouri River to scenic rolling hillsides. These diverse habitat areas support an equally diverse amount of wildlife - and abundant hunting opportunities.

Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area in Randolph and Howard Counties is in the process of renovating the trail system. The goals are to increase usability, decrease soil erosion and to increase trail maintenance. Renovations began in early 2006 and will continue over the next few years.

 Special Topics:

Bow Hunting in Columbia, Missouri

The City of Columbia does not prohibit archery hunting on private property via statewide archery regulations. Additionally, The City of Columbia allows archery hunting on selected city park and utility properties. Interested hunters must contact the MDC Central Regional Office at (573) 884-6861 or the Columbia City Managers office at (573) 874-7214 in early August to find out when and where the mandatory hunter orientation meetings will be held. Hunters may not participate on the City-owned properties without first going through one of the hunter orientation meetings offered.

Interactive Fish Habitat Structure Map for Lake of the Ozarks

Find fish habitat structures with GPS coordinates (requires JavaScript; opens in new window)

"Missouri River Country"

Central Missouri has a bounty of fish, forest and wildlife resources available to the public. The Missouri Department of Conservation manages 90 conservation areas totaling 69,800 acres in the region. Fishing opportunities abound in the Central Region. Anglers can choose from numerous ponds, lakes, streams and the Missouri River, which flows 265 miles through the region. Hunters can find upland game, waterfowl and big game in good numbers on many of the conservation areas. Numerous trails are available for hikers or those interested in watching wildlife. School groups, civic organizations and the general public will enjoy a visit to the Runge Conservation Nature Center. Nature exhibits, hiking trails, scheduled programs, movies and a gift shop provide fun and educational opportunities to visitors. Check out the Central Region links for more information on conservation areas and programs.


Events for Friday, August 29 - Sunday, September 28, 2008
Event and Date Location Reserve by:
Youth Dove Hunting Clinic and Hunt
Sunday, August 31 – Monday, September 1, 2008
Golden Valley Shooting Range Friday, August 22
"Record Breaking" Day
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Saturday, August 30
Little Acorns
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Wednesday, September 3
Youth Dove Hunt and Clinic
Friday, September 5 – Saturday, September 6, 2008
Whetstone Creek Conservation Area Thursday, September 4
Effective Wingshooting, the CONSEP Way...
Friday, September 5 – Sunday, September 7, 2008
August A. Busch Conservation Area Tuesday, September 2
Toddler Time: Spiders
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center
Little Acorns
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Saturday, September 6
Earth Connections Badge
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Monday, September 8
Little Acorns Plus
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Monday, September 8
Earth Connections Badge
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Tuesday, September 9
Babes in the Woods
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Wednesday, September 10
Presentation of Rock Bridge Memorial State Park
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center
Cable Restraint Class
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Show Me Auction Barn, Versailles Saturday, September 13
Girls Gone Fishing
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Maramec Spring Park
Little Acorns
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Friday, September 12
Story Tree
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center
Runge Midweek Trekkers
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Mark Twain National Forest Tuesday, September 16
Fall Seed Hike
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center
Babes in the Woods
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Monday, September 22
Nature's Needlers
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Wednesday, September 24
Nature's Needlers
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Wednesday, September 24

Reserve your place for these upcoming events:

Events for Sunday, September 28 - Sunday, December 28, 2008
Event and Date Location Reserve by:
Little Acorns Plus
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Monday, September 29
Whitetail Deer Management Workshop for Landowners
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Missouri Valley College - Ferguson Cinter, Marshall Wednesday, October 1
Effective Wingshooting, the CONSEP Way...
Friday, October 3 – Sunday, October 5, 2008
University of Central Missouri Shooting Complex Wednesday, October 1
Toddler Time: Fallen Leaves
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Friday, October 3
Babes in the Woods
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Saturday, October 4
Discover Nature Womens Waterfowl Hunting Clinic
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Duck Creek Conservation Area Wednesday, October 1
Going Batty!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Monday, October 6
Little Acorns
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Monday, October 6
Little Acorns
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Friday, October 10
Youth Trapping Clinic
Saturday, October 11 – Sunday, October 12, 2008
Whetstone Creek Conservation Area Monday, October 6
Wild Edibles
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Friday, October 10
Deer Processing
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Friday, October 10
Little Acorns Plus
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Tuesday, October 14
Runge Midweek Trekkers
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Paddy Creek Wilderness Tuesday, October 14
Nature's Needlers
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Wednesday, October 15
Nature's Needlers
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Wednesday, October 15
Babes in the Woods
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Monday, October 20
Youth Duck Hunt
Friday, October 24 – Saturday, October 25, 2008
UCM Range Friday, October 3
Cable Restraint Training
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Bennett Spring Hatchery Friday, October 24
Firearms Safety for Youth Hunters
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Saturday, October 25
Little Acorns Plus
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Monday, October 27
Little Acorns
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Wednesday, October 29
MoNASP Basic Archery Instructor (BAI) Class
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Branson High School Gym Friday, December 5

MDC Programs in your area