A duck hunter at first light on a national wildlife refuge
Public land · Missouri

Schell-Osage Conservation Area

Conservation area · Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC)

LimitedRules checked Oct 22, 2026
A duck hunter at first light on a national wildlife refuge. Photo: USFWS
State
Missouri
Type
Conservation area
Managed by
Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC)
Size
8,633 acres
Official page
Agency page

A Middle Zone wetland area on the Osage River that has been under a wetland renovation. MDC's own pages disagree on whether waterfowl hunting is open this season.

Official rules

Waterfowl rules

  • One of MDC's 13 managed waterfowl hunting areas. Half the hunting spots go to online reservations (Missouri residents only; half drawn before the season, half in weekly in-season drawings) and half to the morning draw, or “poor line,” which residents and nonresidents can join.Source: MDC 2026–27 Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest (PDF) · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
  • In-season reservations: apply online Tuesday 12:01 a.m. to Monday 3 p.m. for hunts the following week; one area per day. Results are posted Tuesday at 12:01 a.m.Source: MDC in-season application dates · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
  • Hunt only with an area Daily Waterfowl Hunting Tag, from your assigned blind or spot, and check out right after your hunt by turning in the completed tag.Source: MDC Schell-Osage CA · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
  • Portions are closed to protect waterfowl Oct 15–Mar 1.Source: MDC Schell-Osage CA · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
  • Nontoxic shot is required for all shotgun hunting on the area. Decoys and blinds must come out daily; blinds built on site may only use willows.Source: MDC Schell-Osage CA · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
  • The 2026–27 digest says waterfowl hunting here is closed for the season pending completion of the wetland renovation, and that once finished the waterfowl areas will run through the morning draw.Source: MDC 2026–27 Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest (PDF) · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
  • Parties are limited to four people, observers and youth included (except during youth season), all hunting over one decoy spread.Source: MDC 2026–27 Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest (PDF) · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
Access

Access and ramps

  • Waterfowl information line: 417-853-4596. Draw times change through the season; MDC posts them by area.Source: MDC waterfowl area draw times · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
  • Location: Vernon and St. Clair counties. MDC lists the area center at 38.0087, -94.065.Source: MDC Schell-Osage CA · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
  • Boats may not be left overnight. Houseboats, airboats and personal watercraft are banned. On lakes of 70 acres or more, outboards over 10 hp run at slow, no-wake speed.Source: MDC Schell-Osage CA · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
  • Areas are open 4 a.m.–10 p.m.; hunting and launching boats are allowed 24 hours where those activities are permitted.Source: MDC Schell-Osage CA · Last checked Oct 22, 2026

Not confirmed yet

  • Whether waterfowl hunting is open this season. The MDC digest says closed for 2026–27, but the MDC area page says the renovation is complete, the area reopened Oct 3, 2026, and lists a morning draw. Call 417-853-4595 before you go.

See something wrong or out of date? Report a correction.

Before you go

Check the rules and the water

Confirm this season’s rules on our state law pages or the agency’s own site, check draw and permit deadlines, and look at today’s river levels on the migration map. Areas can close or flood on short notice.