Hunting

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Two hunters in safety orange sit by a tree. One is taking aim at a deer.
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A successful hunting trip involves planning, scouting, and patience. Missouri offers a variety of hunting opportunities to hone your skills.

If you plan to hunt with a firearm, you will need to complete a hunter education course before you can buy a permit. If you plan to bow hunt, MDC offers optional bow hunter education. 

Great Places For Hunting

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Vandalia CL
Audrain
The land around Vandalia Community Lake(44 acres)is mainly woods and old fields.

Events

Find events near you.
Registration period: February 7 - March 19
Date: Tuesday, March 19, 2024 6:30 pm - Tuesday, March 19, 2024 7:30 pm
Location: Online only
Registration required (ages 12+) The Midwest is home to a wide variety of mushrooms, some tasty and some toxic. Join Alix Daniel from the Discovery Center and the Missouri Mycological Society for a virtual tour of a few characteristic fungi of our region. Bring your mushroom hunting questions for the Q&A session after.
Registration period: February 28 - March 19
Date: Tuesday, March 19, 2024 6:30 pm - Tuesday, March 19, 2024 8:30 pm
Location: Laclede Electric Cooperative

Are you looking forward to Spring, as nature comes to life and the morning air is filled with the sound of

turkey toms gobbling? If so, this workshop is for you! MDC staff is partnering with National Wild Turkey

Federation members to host a Spring turkey hunting clinic in Laclede County. Turkey hunting has a rich

tradition in Missouri, come learn from some local experts and increase your chances for a successful

harvest this Spring. The program will be hosted at the Laclede County Electric Cooperative auditorium

on March 19th from 6:30-8:30pm.

Topics covered in the program:

MDC’s efforts to ensure our wild turkey population remains healthy and the status of our

turkey population

* Biological and behavioral characteristics of Eastern Wild Turkeys

* Rules and regulations associated with spring turkey hunting in Missouri

* The importance of safety while turkey hunting

* Scouting and finding places to hunt

* Using various turkey calls to duplicate wild turkey language

* Other turkey hunting strategies

* Processing your harvest

The program is open to all skill levels from beginner to the experienced turkey hunter. Come and learn

skills and techniques to help you successfully harvest a gobbler this Spring! All registered participants

will receive a turkey call. All participants under the age of 11 must be accompanied by an adult. For

additional information or questions contact Lyle Whittaker (417)895-6880 Ext. 1644 or email

Lyle.whittaker@mdc.mo.gov
Registration period: February 23 - March 21
Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024 2:30 pm - Thursday, March 21, 2024 4:00 pm
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center

Come to Powder Valley to learn how to cook with a dutch oven over a fire. In this hands-on program we will be sharing simple yet delicious recipes.

This program will be held outside and be using hot charcoals.
Registration period: February 23 - March 23
Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024 10:00 am - Saturday, March 23, 2024 1:00 pm
Location: Online only
Virtual Webex! Spring is nearly here, and the toms will beginning strutting soon. That can only mean one thing! Spring turkey season is just around the corner! Through the generations, Missourians have enjoyed pursuing these large elusive birds. Join us as we explore the basics of turkey hunting, including calling, scouting, locations, equipment, techniques and more. This program is appropriate for adults and family's with children ages 9 and above. Children 9-15 must be accompanied by a participating adult. Webex virtual program link will be sent within 24 hours of program start date.
Registration period: February 23 - March 23
Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024 10:00 am - Saturday, March 23, 2024 1:00 pm
Location: Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center
Spring is nearly here, and the toms will beginning strutting soon. That can only mean one thing! Spring turkey season is just around the corner! Through the generations, Missourians have enjoyed pursuing these large elusive birds. Join us as we explore the basics of turkey hunting, including calling, scouting, locations, equipment, techniques and more. This program is appropriate for adults and family's with children ages 9 and above. Children 9-15 must be accompanied by a participating adult.
Registration period: February 15 - March 25
Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2024 5:30 pm - Tuesday, March 26, 2024 7:30 pm
Location: August A Busch Shooting Range
This program will introduce turkey hunting techniques and calling tips for beginners and how to get started hunting these elusive birds. We will cover habitat, safety, firearms, different calls, when to call and how often to call. We will also cover different types of equipment used to help you have a successful hunt.
Registration period: February 15 - March 26
Date: Wednesday, March 27, 2024 6:00 pm - Wednesday, March 27, 2024 9:00 pm
Location: Online only
Turkey hunting is a great way to spend time with family and friends while enjoying nature in spring. This workshop is designed to teach participants how to hunt the wild turkey more successfully. We’ll discuss turkey biology, hunting equipment, regulations and strategies that will make you a more confident turkey hunter. A registration link will be sent out via e-mail the day before the event.
Registration period: February 15 - March 27
Date: Wednesday, March 27, 2024 6:00 pm - Wednesday, March 27, 2024 9:00 pm
Location: Parma Woods Shooting Range
Turkey hunting is a great way to spend time with family and friends while enjoying nature in spring. This workshop is designed to teach participants how to hunt the wild turkey more successfully. We’ll discuss turkey biology, hunting equipment, regulations and strategies that will make you a more confident turkey hunter.
Registration period: February 6 - March 28
Date: Friday, March 29, 2024 4:00 pm - Friday, March 29, 2024 8:00 pm
Location: Diggins Baptist Church

This is a public Missouri Hunter Education Skills Session class, participants must be 11 years of age the day of the event. (3/29/2024) Participants attending the skills session must show proof they have completed the online self-study guide or complete all the chapter review questions in the Missouri Hunter Education book. Bring the completed review questions to the event!

Online Study Guide Link:

https://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/hunter-education/hunter-ed-study-guide-order-form
Registration period: March 1 - March 25
Date: Saturday, March 30, 2024 8:00 am - Saturday, March 30, 2024 2:00 pm
Location: UCM Shooting Range

Participants will experience Shotgun Shooting, Patterning, Archery., Pellet guns, Hunting Techniques and Safety and Fishing (weather permitting)

For more information Call 660-530-5500