Hunting and fishing are central to land use in Ripley County

In Ripley County, a lot of the land is used for hunting and fishing. That is because the area has Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri Department of Conservation land, and the Current River. One tricky part is that the rules and permits change based on who owns and runs the land. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is the state agency that protects fish and wildlife. It sets the hunting, fishing, and trapping seasons and permits for the whole state, and it runs conservation areas. The U.S. Forest Service adds its own rules on national forest land. Private timberland is closed to the public unless the owner gives you permission. If you are new, buy the right MDC permits first. Then check the season and the legal methods for what you want to hunt or catch. Also find out who owns and manages the exact spot before you go. For permits and rules, MDC is the office to confirm with.