Huntsdale Access

The special regulations in this chapter apply on lands and waters (referred to as department areas) owned or leased by the Department of Conservation. The director may issue temporary written exceptions to rules and provisions of this chapter for emergencies, special events and other compatible uses.

(1) Department areas may be used only as authorized by this chapter, except these rules shall not restrict department employees or their designees when conducting official events or activities. Department areas may be used only in accordance with the following: (A) Department areas designated as open to the public may be accessed and used for hiking, sightseeing, and nature observation. The locations and times when department areas may be entered, remained on, or used for these activities may be further restricted by this chapter, signs, or area maps; (B) The following activities are allowed on department areas as further authorized by this chapter: 1. Entering or remaining on department areas, or designated portions of department areas (See 3 CSR 10-11.115); 2. Possession of pets and hunting dogs (See 3 CSR 10-11.120); 3. Field Trials (See 3 CSR 10-11.125); 4. Use of vehicles, bicycles, horses, and horseback riding (See 3 CSR 10-11.130); 5. Collecting of nuts, berries, fruits, edible wild greens, and mushrooms (See 3 CSR 10-11.135); 6. Camping (See 3 CSR 10-11.140); 7. Tree stands (See 3 CSR 10-11.145); 8. Target shooting and use of shooting ranges (See 3 CSR 10-11.150); 9. Decoys and Blinds (See 3 CSR 10-11.155); 10. Use of boats and motors (See 3 CSR 10-11.160); 11. Taking bullfrogs and green frogs (See 3 CSR 10-11.165); 12. Hunting (See 3 CSR 10-11.180 through 3 CSR 10-11.186); 13. Trapping (See 3 CSR 10-11.187); 14. Fishing (See 3 CSR 10-11.200 through 3 CSR 10-11.215); and 15. Taking feral swine (See 3 CSR 10-11.220); (C) The following activities are prohibited on department areas and may not be authorized by a special use permit: 1. Destruction, defacing, or removal of department property; 2. Digging or excavating; 3. Guiding for pay; 4. Military or law enforcement training by nongovernment entities; 5. Placing of grain, salt products, minerals, and other consumable products on land; 6. Placing or using trail or game cameras or other similar devices; 7. Use of paint ball, airsoft, or similar projectile weapons not specifically authorized by this Code; 8. Placement of honey bee apiaries; 9. Parking or storage of watercraft and commercial vehicles during closed hours; 10. Use of fireworks; 11. Use of remote-controlled boats or land vehicles; 12. Prospecting, exploring, mining, or extracting minerals, metals, oil, natural gas, or other nonrenewable resources, except as specifically approved by the commission; and 13. Commercial or political advertising, except for commercial advertising by authorized concessionaires or by vendors participating in department events; (D) Activities not listed in subsections (1)(A), (1)(B), or (1)(C) of this rule, including commercial use and vending, may be authorized by a special use permit when the activity is compatible with other authorized activities. Special use permits may be issued only by the area manager or their designee. Issuance of a special use permit is at the discretion of the department. Application for a special use permit does not guarantee that one will be issued. All persons entering, remaining on, or using a department area pursuant to a special use permit shall abide by the specific conditions stated on the permit; (E) Signs, posted regulations, or area maps may further restrict activities in accordance with this chapter, including designating portions of department areas as open or closed to public use. Area managers may temporarily close or change regulations on department areas through posting to protect the public from hazardous conditions and threats to public safety, to protect fish and wildlife resources, and for special events or resource management activities where public use conflicts are likely to occur. All persons entering, remaining on, or using a department area shall abide by signs, posted regulations, and area maps;

Vegetation, including trees, may not be cut or destroyed. The only exception is that willows (Salicaceae spp.) may be cut for use in constructing on-site blinds.

Collecting or possessing wild plants and their unprocessed parts is prohibited except under the provisions of a valid Letter of Authorization for Plant Collecting, or as otherwise authorized in the Wildlife Code.

 

State laws regarding the operation, registration and required equipment apply to the operation of motor vehicles on locations open to vehicular traffic on department areas. Vehicle use is restricted to graveled and paved roads and established parking areas, unless otherwise posted.

 

Except as otherwise posted, the speed limit on department areas is 45 miles per hour.

 

Unless otherwise posted, bicycles, including electric bicycles as defined in the Missouri Wildlife Code (Chapter 20- Definitions), are allowed on roads open to vehicular traffic and service roads (designated in the online conservation atlas). Bicycles must stay on roads open to vehicular traffic or service roads, or on multi-use trails posted as open to bicycles.   Bicycle use is not allowed on service roads passing through designated natural areas (designated in the online conservation atlas). Groups of 10 or more people using bicycles on a department area must obtain a special use permit. Special use permits should be requested at least 30 days in advance at: SpecialUsePermit.

Bicycles are permitted only on designated multi-use trails and on roads open to vehicular traffic, unless otherwise posted. Groups of more than ten (10) people must obtain a special use permit.

 

Equestrian use is allowed on roads open to vehicular traffic. Horses must stay on roads open to vehicular traffic or on multi-use trails posted as open to horses. Groups of 10 or more people using horses on a department area must obtain a special use permit. Special use permits should be requested at least 30 days in advance at: SpecialUsePermit.

Camping is allowed only as designated in the "Things To Do When You Visit" section for this department area. If camping is not listed as an activity in this section, camping is prohibited on the area. Designated camping areas may or may not have defined campsites. Seasonal closures and restrictions may apply to all camping on department areas.

Target shooting is not allowed anywhere on this department area.

Pets and hunting dogs are permitted but must be on a leash or confined at all time. Hunting dogs may be used off the leash and unconfined for hunting and training for the purposes of chasing, locating, tracking or retrieving game on portions of conservation areas designated as open to hunting and dog training. Locations and times where pets and hunting dogs are permitted may be further restricted by area brochures or signs. A valid small game hunting permit is required to train dogs in pursuit of wildlife.

Only portable tree stands are allowed on department areas from Sept. 1 through Jan. 31. Unattended stands must be plainly labeled on a durable material with the full name and address, or Conservation Number, of the owner and be removed from the area before Feb. 1. Use of nails, screw-in steps, and any material or method that would damage the tree is prohibited.

Decoys and Blinds are permitted on this department area, but must be disassembled and removed daily. Blinds constructed on-site may only be constructed from willows (Salicaceae spp.).

Field trials are prohibited on this department area.

Fishing is permitted on this area under statewide regulations, except special restrictions apply to methods and limits when fishing in area lakes and ponds.