Places To Go

Happy Holler Lake CA

Find good dove and archery deer hunting on this diverse area near Savannah.

If you ’re in the northwest region of the state this month, stop by Happy Holler Lake CA near Savannah. This 2,207-acre area is composed of three tracts, including a variety of wildlife habitat types, such as rolling forest, woodlands and wetlands.

These are maintained and improved through farming, prescribed burning, disking, and wetland and timber management. The result is a conservation area extremely high in natural diversity and outdoor recreation opportunities.

With good populations of dove and white-tailed deer, Happy Holler Lake CA is a good place to pursue fall hunting. Dove season runs through Nov. 9, and hunters may take a daily limit of 15 doves on the area. During the archery deer season, which runs through Nov. 12 and then again from Nov. 24, 2010, through Jan. 15, 2011, the four-point rule applies. Only portable tree stands are allowed on the area from September 1 through January 31.

Other game species, including wild turkey, pheasant, quail, rabbit, squirrel and waterfowl, may be pursued in season.

If you want to camp during your visit, you can pitch your tent in the grassy area next to one of nine parking lots scattered throughout the area’s three sections. The parking lot at Happy Holler Lake has a disabled-accessible privy, but none of the lots have drinking water. Be sure to bring plenty of potable water, and plan to pack out waste and trash.

Boaters will find a disabled-accessible concrete boat ramp at Happy Holler Lake, as well as opportunities to canoe the area’s ponds and the One Hundred Two River. Whether afloat or fishing from shore, anglers will find good populations of bass, catfish, crappie and sunfish to pursue.

Although the area has no designated hiking trails, it does have several access trails that can accommodate foot travel. These give birders, photographers and botanizers a chance to see and enjoy the area’s wildlife, diverse habitat types and wildflowers.

Birders can expect to see great blue heron, yellow-billed cuckoo, Eastern wood peewee and great crested flycatcher. For a full list of bird species that frequent the area, visit the website address below. As always, begin your visit with a trip to the area’s website (listed below) for driving directions, regulations and a map.

—Bonnie Chasteen, photo by David Stonner

Recreation Opportunities: Bird watching, camping, canoeing, fishing, hiking and hunting in season

Unique Features: Happy Holler Lake (67 acres), several disabled-accessible ramps and docks and camping area with individual campsites

For More Information Call 816-271-3100 or visit MissouriConservation.org/a8025.