Shooting

This program includes rifle safety, operation, shooting fundamentals, maintenance, and safe storage. Equipment and ammunition will be provided; you may bring your own firearm and ammunition to the live-fire session.

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

Like most beginner fly anglers, do you struggle with the art of fly casting? Have you learned the skill in the past but have grown a little rusty? Join us at the Jay Henges Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center to learn, or relearn, the basics of fly casting. In this class we will focus on the mechanics and techniques of fly casting. We will also cover rod and line selection as it relates to casting and then practice, practice, practice! You will need to bring a hat, eye protection, and a folding chair. If you have your own fly rod you are welcome to bring it or we will provide equipment for you to use.

This is an introductory course on how to shoot 5-stand. You will learn safety, stance, etiquette, and technique. We will proceed to live fire on the 5-stand course. Firearms, ammunition, and safety equipment will be provided.

Registration required by visiting https://mostateparks.com/learn2-aim (ages 10+) Begin your archery journey and take a step back in time. Join Missouri State Parks to learn new skills with joint instruction on the basics of archery and atlatl throwing.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.