August A Busch Wildlife Area

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

August A.


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Summary

Busch Wildlife Area is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts in Missouri. The area is spread over 7,000 acres of forests, wetlands, and grasslands. The wildlife area is home to a variety of wildlife including deer, turkeys, ducks, geese, and numerous bird species.

One of the main reasons to visit August A. Busch Wildlife Area is to enjoy its scenic beauty and natural habitats. Visitors can go hiking, bird watching, fishing, and hunting in designated areas. There are also several picnic areas and shelters available for visitors to enjoy.

The wildlife area has several points of interest, including the Busch Hiking Trail, which is a five-mile trail that takes visitors through wetlands, forests, and fields. The wildlife area also has several fishing ponds stocked with catfish, bass, and bluegill. Additionally, visitors can explore the Busch Shooting Range, which has facilities for archery and firearms.

Interesting facts about the August A. Busch Wildlife Area include its history as a former farm and its transformation into a wildlife area. The area is named after August A. Busch Jr., the former CEO of Anheuser-Busch, who donated the land to the Missouri Department of Conservation in 1947.

The best time of year to visit August A. Busch Wildlife Area depends on the activity you plan to do. Spring and fall are popular for hiking, bird watching, and hunting. Summer is ideal for fishing and picnicking, and winter is great for wildlife viewing.

Overall, August A. Busch Wildlife Area is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring Missouri's natural beauty and wildlife.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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