If you're looking for bowhunting.....Howell Island is in the Chesterfield Valley right on the MO river. It's bowhunting only and can get a fair amount of pressure. You just have to walk a mile or more to get away from most people. If you have a mountain bike and can pack your stand and bow, that works great. Access can be a problem if the river is up.

I killed my avatar buck there in 2006; a 154" 10 point. That same year I saw another 160 class 10 point and an 8 point in the mid 130's. There was also a 190" gross 15 point killed there in 2006. A buddy of mine killed a mid-140's 11 point in 2007.

There are big deer there.

Good luck.