Shooting

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.

Try out your archery skills with an easy, instructor-led shooting session. Discover the therapeutic power of kayaking as you paddle around our tranquil pond. Please wear closed-toe shoes. (ages 5-7 use smaller bows and ride in kayak with an adult)

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.

Archery is a fun, lifetime sport everyone can enjoy! Learn the basics of archery and how to shoot safely, then practice your newly learned skills under supervision of Runge staff. Dress for the weather and wear closed-toe shoes. All equipment provided. Registration required. Ages 10+

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.

This class covers the basic equipment, materials, and techniques needed to reload metallic cartridges and produce custom loads suited to your handgun for the particular target or game you are pursing. We will demonstrate the process and then give you some hands-on experience reloading handgun cartridges.

Did you know Archery is one of the safest sports in which to participate? It is rated more accident-free than every ball sport except table tennis! This course is designed to introduce students to the basics of archery including safety rules, stance, equipment used, and, of course, how to shoot a bow and arrow. The instructors will also discuss the nomenclature of the bows and arrows. Join us for this fun and very informative class

Families who have never had experience shooting .22 rifles are invited to participate in an instructor led, live fire session learning safety and the proper techniques of shooting .22 rim fire rifles. Firearms, ammunition, and safety equipment will be provided

This workshop will offer a chance to learn best practices for maintaining a healthy pond on your property. Participants will learn directly from MDC experts in fisheries management. The workshop covers a wide variety of topics, including fish stocking, creating fish habitat, and controlling aquatic vegetation. There will also be a question-and-answer opportunity after the workshop.

There will be live aquatic plant samples and we encourage you to bring in a sample of your pond plants so we can identify them for you while you are there.

Come out and enjoy the day at our August A. Busch Shooting range open house. There will be loads of activities, some to include .22 call rifle shooting, shotgun shooting, atlatl, archery, 18 static displays, disc golf, fishing game, demonstrations by Agent Nick Bommarito with MDC's newest dog and much more! If it is hot dont worry we have free snow cones for everyone! This event is completely free and tons of family fun!

Join us at Busch Conservation Area for Camp Hellbender-no newts allowed! This summer camp is designed to let adults feel like a kid again and have some fun in the outdoors while exploring some of the best conservation areas in the region that MDC has to offer! At Busch CA, we will start off our morning with some kayaking on the lake and BB Gun target practice with our Busch Shooting Range staff, following by lunch at the picnic pavilion. To end our day, we will cool off in the classroom to meet some of our resident cold-blooded critters and learn about the reptiles and amphibians of Missouri.

Please bring your own water bottle and lunch. Refrigeration is available if needed. Sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and water-resistant shoes for kayaking are recommended.

Please register each participant individually. Meet at the classroom in the main building at Busch CA.

This program is part of our ongoing Camp Hellbender Series! We encourage you to participate in as many Camp days as you’d like. Registration is required for each individual camp. Campers will receive a special button to commemorate each activity they participate in throughout the summer, and all Campers will be invited back for our Closing Campfire at the end of the Summer! Please only register for one day per site.

Camp Hellbender Summer Camp Schedule:

Sunday, June 2nd- August A Busch CA

Friday, June 14th- Rockwoods Reservation

Friday, June 21st- Powder Valley Nature Center

Saturday, June 22nd- Rockwoods Reservation

Friday, June 28th- August A Busch CA

Friday, July 12th- Columbia Bottom CA

Friday, July 19th- Tower Grove Park

Saturday, July 20th- Tower Grove Park

Saturday, July 27th- Columbia Bottom CA

Friday, August 2nd- Closing Campfire at Busch CA