Whether you’re honing your skills for hunting or testing your prowess for the fun of it, the sport of shooting is directly tied to conservation. The Missouri Department of Conservation has shooters covered with resources for all different skill levels.
Unstaffed ranges on MDC areas offer opportunities for shooters to practice their shooting skills at their own pace. No fee required.
Staffed Shooting Ranges and Outdoor Education Centers
Staffed shooting ranges and outdoor education centers help you become a sharper, safer hunter or outdoors person regardless of your experience or skill level. Our staff of specialists and trained volunteers can help you or your group master firearms and archery. The centers also host educational public programming on many other outdoor skills.
Fees and reservations at staffed MDC shooting ranges
Rifle/pistol range use is $4 per hour. Shotgun sports, where available, are $4 per round. All fees are payable only by cash or check.
Staffed shooting range and outdoor education centers are available for group use by purchasing a special use permit for $20 per hour. For details about reservations and using the centers, call the center.
Date:
Saturday, March 23, 2024 8:00 am - Saturday, March 23, 2024 9:30 am
Location:
August A Busch Shooting Range
This program is designed as a basic course to provide youths ages 9-15 an opportunity to become familiar with shooting. We will provide .22 caliber handguns and rifles and ammunition for them to shoot. There will be a short class covering safety, parts of a firearm, and fundamentals of marksmanship. Due to time constraints we will not have any time to provide individuals an opportunity to shoot their own firearms.
Date:
Saturday, March 23, 2024 8:30 am - Saturday, March 23, 2024 11:30 am
Location:
Andy Dalton Shooting Range
Discover the joys of shooting one of the all-time favorite rifles–the .22 rifle. We will discuss rifle nomenclature, dominant eye, sight picture, sight alignment, breath control, trigger squeeze, shooting positions, plus much more. We will provide rifles and ammunition for those who do not have one. If you plan to use your own, bring a minimum of 50 rounds of new ammunition for your firearm. Make sure all firearms are unloaded before arriving at the range. There should be no live ammunition, or uncased firearms inside the classroom. Please leave all firearms in the vehicle until the class is dismissed including all concealed carry handguns and magazines.
Date:
Saturday, March 23, 2024 9:00 am - Saturday, March 23, 2024 1:00 pm
Location:
Lake City Shooting Range
Have you ever touched the fur of a wolf or can you identify a bobcat by its skull? "Three Toes" with Outdoor Skills of America, Inc.can help with that. He will be available to help you explore the animals of North America. Come help us welcome Three Toes to this area and learn how to identify animal critter hides.
Date:
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 1:00 pm - Tuesday, March 26, 2024 3:00 pm
Location:
Runge Conservation Nature Center
Archery is a fun, lifetime sport that all can enjoy. Learn the basics of archery and how to shoot safely, then practice your newly learned skills under the supervision of MDC staff. Dress for the weather in closed-toe shoes. All equipment is provided. Registration required. Ages 7+
Note: Runge's outdoor range may not be accessible to participants who use a wheelchair or crutches. Please check for availability of an all-terrain wheelchair by contacting the program instructor at least two weeks in advance of the program date.
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.
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.
Date:
Wednesday, March 27, 2024 6:00 pm - Wednesday, March 27, 2024 9:00 pm
Location:
Jay Henges Shooting Range
The Beginning Handgun program includes handgun fundamentals, operation, safety, maintenance and safe storage. We start in the Education Center with classroom instruction then move to the range for a live-fire session. Firearms, ammunition, and safety equipment are provided however, you may bring your own handgun and ammunition to the live-fire session. Firearms and ammunition are not allowed in the Education Center.
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.