Places to Go: Drury-Mincy Conservation Area

Drury-Mincy Conservation Area

A first day walk and a walk through history 

With nearly 20 miles of roads and trails, Drury-Mincy Conservation Area (CA) in southwest Missouri’s Taney County not only makes a great place for a first-day hike, it also offers visitors a chance to walk through Missouri’s conservation history.

Located on 4,134.8 acres, the area now known as Drury-Mincy CA played an important role in the restoration of both the deer and turkey populations of Missouri during the mid-20th century. Along with an adjoining private wildlife ranch, the area provided more than a third — nearly 750 — of the white-tailed deer that were used during restoration efforts that began after the creation of the Missouri Conservation Commission and MDC in the 1930s. Two decades later, nearly 300 turkey were trapped from the area for relocation throughout the state.

“I see a direct tie between the success of the Department of Conservation and areas like this,” said MDC Forester Stephen Short, who manages Drury-Mincy CA.

In January, the area is quiet, but the hiking opportunities exist for those who want to start the year with a challenge, Short said.

“You’ll definitely have your elevation changes,” he said. “Around the office and on the Mincy portion, everything is uphill.”