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 $5 per hour. Shotgun sports, where available, are $5 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, May 4, 2024 8:00 am - Saturday, May 4, 2024 10:00 am
Location:
Lake City Shooting Range
Students will learn to weave paracord into bracelets, friendship bracelets, and other articles using different types of weaves. All materials are supplied, and everyone will go home with a new keychain!
Date:
Saturday, May 4, 2024 10:00 am - Saturday, May 4, 2024 12:00 pm
Location:
August A Busch Shooting Range
This program will teach the fundamentals of archery including equipment, safety, stance, and shooting techniques. This event will take place on the static archery range. All equipment will be provided.
Date:
Monday, May 6, 2024 5:00 pm - Monday, May 6, 2024 8:00 pm
Location:
August A Busch Shooting Range
This skills session will satisfy part two of Missouri Hunter Education requirements. To obtain hunter education certification you must also attend part one (online, self-study, or a classroom session) and bring along your skills session qualifier certificate or a student manual with the review questions completed. Students 15 and under must also bring a copy of their birth certificate or other proof of age. The final exam will be administered at the end of the skills session. Please arrive a minimum of 15 minutes before the beginning of the class to complete registration; late arrivals will not be admitted so please arrive early. In the event of a cancellation, you will be contacted by email and/or phone. Note: Students who are 16 and over and have completed the all-online Hunter Education course are certified and do not need to attend an in-person skills session. Only participants need to regeister.
Date:
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 5:30 pm - Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:30 pm
Location:
August A Busch Shooting Range
This class is designed for individuals familiar to shotguns wanting to get into Trap Shooting. It will cover safety, marksmanship fundamentals for shotgun, recommended gear for trap shooting, and the rules and etiquette for trap shooting. After the classroom portion we will move to the shotgun range to practice. Shotguns and ammunition will be available for those who need it.
Date:
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 6:00 pm - Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:00 pm
Location:
Jay Henges Shooting Range
This program is designed for those who have had some experience with shotguns. We will cover safety, appropriate guns and ammunition, rules of the game, etiquette on the field, and field layout. Firearms and ammunition will be provided, or you may bring your own. An adult must accompany participants under 18.
Date:
Thursday, May 9, 2024 6:00 pm - Thursday, May 9, 2024 8:00 pm
Location:
Online only
Ropes have the potential to be the worst bane or the best friend of the outdoorsman. By learning a few simple knots, you can quickly learn to secure your gear, pitch your tent, tie your tarp, or manage whatever else the outdoors throws at you. Grab your own rope so you can tie along.
Date:
Saturday, May 11, 2024 8:00 am - Saturday, May 11, 2024 9:30 am
Location:
Jay Henges Shooting Range
Join our instructors as we learn the fundamentals of shooting archery. This program begins in the Education Center then moves to the static archery range. This is a fun program for the entire family, ages 9 and up
Date:
Saturday, May 11, 2024 8:30 am - Saturday, May 11, 2024 11:30 am
Location:
Andy Dalton Shooting Range
Join us to discover the basics of responsible handgun ownership and the joys of shooting. We will cover safety, handgun nomenclature, sight picture, sight alignment, breath control, trigger squeeze, and much more. During the live fire portion, .22 handguns and ammunition will be provided. 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:
Sunday, May 12, 2024 3:00 pm - Sunday, May 12, 2024 4:30 pm
Location:
Andy Dalton Shooting Range
Parents, grandparents, and adult mentors bring your youngster(s) to learn a new skill and spend time practicing. You don’t have to be a hunter to become a skilled archer. No experience is necessary and archery equipment will be provided. We will teach and practice the basics, helping you perfect your stance to shoot more consistently and accurately.
Date:
Monday, May 13, 2024 5:30 pm - Monday, May 13, 2024 7:00 pm
Location:
Jay Henges Shooting Range
An atlatl is an ancient tool used to throw a light spear known as a dart. This program will focus on practicing technique during sport target shooting for beginners. Information about different styles of atlatls and darts will also be covered.