Public input sought for Shawnee Trail Conservation Area

MINDENMINES, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wants to know what Missourians think about its nearly 1,000 conservation areas around the state. The Shawnee Trail Conservation Area in Barton County is among the areas currently under review.

MDC is inviting the public to provide comments about Shawnee Trail Conservation Area to aid staff in developing a 15-year management plan for the popular public use area. Interested persons or groups – including recreational users, neighboring landowners, conservation groups, elected officials and government agencies – can preview the draft management plan and share comments online Jan. 1-31 at www.mdc.mo.gov/areaplans

MDC staff will review comments as they finalize a management plan for the Shawnee Trail Conservation Area. Decisions on which ideas to incorporate into area plans and on how best to incorporate them will be based on the property’s purpose, it’s physical and biological conditions and capabilities, the best roles of the property in its local, regional and state-wide context, and on the professional expertise of MDC staff.

The 3,635-acre Shawnee Trail Conservation Area is located one mile south of Mindenmines in western Barton County. The area offers a varied landscape – a mix of grassland, reconstructed prairie, shrubs, old fields, open land and timber – offers a rich mix of hunting, wildlife viewing, and nature photography opportunities. Deer hunting is allowed by archery and muzzleloader methods only (no antlerless permits allowed). Fishing opportunities on the area are available in over 30 ponds and strip mining pits. Fifteen impoundments receive regular stockings of channel catfish.

Hiking opportunities are also available and primitive camping is permitted at two designated camping areas near Pin Oak Lake.