Shooting

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A man looks through a sight on his rifle at a shooting range.
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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.

Looking for a shooting range? Find an MDC shooting range near you.

New to shooting and looking for instruction? Find educational opportunities through MDC.

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Guidelines for Shooting at MDC Shooting Ranges

Tips To Be Safe and Courteous at a Shooting Range:

  • Wear eye and ear protection when using firearms or when you are near others who are using firearms.
  • Only use paper targets; attach the targets to the provided target stands.
  • Remove your own litter, including used targets and empty hulls.
  • Don’t shoot or handle a firearm when anyone is downrange of the shooting line.

Four Fundamental Rules of Firearm Safety. Always:

  1. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
  2. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
  3. Keep the safety on until you are ready to shoot.
  4. Be 100 percent certain of your target and what is beyond it before you shoot.
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Types of MDC Shooting Ranges

Unstaffed Shooting Ranges

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.

Find an MDC shooting range near you.

Great Places For Shooting

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Apple Creek parking and trees.
Cape Girardeau
Apple Creek Conservation Area is located in northeast Cape Girardeau County, three miles east o

Events

Find events near you.
Registration period: April 22 - June 5
Date: Wednesday, June 5, 2024 5:30 pm - Wednesday, June 5, 2024 8:30 pm
Location: Parma Woods Shooting Range
What is a Modern Sporting Rifle (MSR)? Where does it get its name? Is it legal to hunt with one? This course will answer all those questions plus many more. The MSR is one of the most purchased firearms on the market today… and one of the most versatile. The instructors will cover the parts of the MSR, calibers available, the basics of operation, maintenance, and care.
Registration period: May 23 - June 5
Date: Thursday, June 6, 2024 6:00 pm - Thursday, June 6, 2024 8:00 pm
Location: Jay Henges Shooting Range
Have you always wanted to get into the art of fly tying but do not know where to start? Join us for our 4-part fly tying series that will introduce you into the world of fly tying. You will learn about the basic tools, materials, and skills needed to get you rolling on tying your own flies. The materials used in this class will be provided however, if you would like to bring your own equipment, that is acceptable as well. Each class will build on the previous classes’ skills so attendance of all 4 classes is required. Each class will start at 5:00pm and will run for approximately 2 hours. The class will be held at the Education Center at the Jay Henges Shooting Range. The other dates are June 13th, 20th and 27th.
Registration period: May 1 - June 6
Date: Saturday, June 8, 2024 8:00 am - Saturday, June 8, 2024 10:00 am
Location: Lake City Shooting Range

This is a novice class for people who have little or no experience in handling and shooting a handgun. We will discuss safety, types of handguns, different parts of the handgun, the variety of calibers, ammunition, and marksmanship. Class includes range time.

Registration period: December 7 - June 7
Date: Saturday, June 8, 2024 8:30 am - Saturday, June 8, 2024 11:30 am
Location: Online only

Hunting may not only be a family tradition, but a personal privilege that everyone can enjoy. Hunting is basic to our nature. Hunting allows us to help control wildlife populations and fun projects for wildlife management. Hunting is also a safe and natural way to help each of us reconnect with nature and our surroundings. In this class, we will cover all the reasons to hunt, why its important, and explore myths about hunting.

Registration period: May 8 - June 7
Date: Saturday, June 8, 2024 9:00 am - Saturday, June 8, 2024 12:00 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.
Registration period: May 9 - June 9
Date: Sunday, June 9, 2024 9:30 am - Sunday, June 9, 2024 4:30 pm
Location: MDC Northwest Regional Office
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer a free clinic for women interested in learning about firearms for hunting and target shooting on Saturday, June 9th at the Northwest Regional MDC office from 9:30 a.m. until noon for a classroom session. Participants will break for lunch and then meet at the Pigeon Hill shooting range at 1 p.m. This clinic will teach basic firearms handling and safety skills. A variety of firearms and their uses will be discussed and available for shooting at the range including rifles, pistols, and shotguns. MDC staff will provide firearms and ammunition. Participants are also encouraged to bring their own firearms and ammunition. For questions, please contact the Northwest Regional office at 816-271-3100.
Registration period: May 28 - June 10
Date: Tuesday, June 11, 2024 6:00 pm - Tuesday, June 11, 2024 8:00 pm
Location: Jay Henges Shooting Range

This introduction course to shotguns will start in the Education Center where we will discuss safety, actions, chokes, stance, and how choose and shoot shotguns. Next, we will go to the range for live fire, including some clay target shooting. Not recommended for students under 90 lbs.

Registration period: June 1 - June 14
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 8:00 am - Saturday, June 15, 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

Registration period: May 1 - June 13
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 8:00 am - Saturday, June 15, 2024 10:00 am
Location: Lake City Shooting Range

What is a Modern Sporting Rifle (MSR)? Where does it get its name? Is it legal to hunt with one? This course will answer all those questions plus many more. The MSR is one of the most purchased firearms on the market today… and one of the most versatile. The instructors will cover the parts of the MSR, calibers available, the basics of operation, maintenance, and care. Anyone under age 16 MUST be accompanied by an adult.

Registration period: April 22 - June 14
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 8:30 am - Saturday, June 15, 2024 10:00 am
Location: Parma Woods Shooting Range
This program includes archery safety, operation, shooting fundamentals, maintenance, and safe storage. You may bring your own equipment to this program; however, equipment will be provided.