Hunting

Step into saddle hunting with a beginner-friendly, engaging course led Western Missouri Saddle Hunters. Get familiar with selecting the right gear, learn essential rope-assisted climbing skills, and discover how to ascend safely and stay comfortable while hunting from nearly any tree. Along the way, we’ll share real-world climbing techniques, effective scouting advice, and tree selection techniques to help you feel more capable in the field.

If you’re looking to stay mobile, reduce noise, and take your hunting approach to the next level, this class is a great fit. Feel free to bring your own equipment for hands-on practice. Participants must wear long pants and closed-toe shoes with good traction. Youth ages 14–17 are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult participant.

Join us to learn how to use the atlatl. This traditional hunting method is making a comeback! Whether you're looking for a fun activity to do with family/friends or are hoping to learn an alternative hunting method, this is a great activity to get outdoors.

This basic program includes an introduction to wingshooting fundamentals, distance estimation, non-toxic shotshell ammunition selection for hunting, and shotgun patterning. The main goal is to help migratory bird, upland bird, and all other small game shotgun hunters improve their hunting skills with non-toxic shot.

The Missouri Department of Conservation has a regulation that now requires hunters at certain conservation areas to use non-toxic shotshells while hunting for waterfowl, doves, and various other game species. This class is designed to help hunters become more efficient and ethical harvesters of all game, especially waterfowl while using nontoxic ammunition. Instructors will teach participants how to choose the correct choke, load, and shot size for different game, how to estimate shooting distances, and how to effectively lead their target. For more information on the nontoxic shot regulation, you can visit https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/regulations/nontoxic-shot-regulations

MDC Staff will open the Deer Ridge Trap house for anyone to practice their shotgun shooting skills. Prior shotgun shooting experience a must, this opportunity is for people looking to practice their shooting ability, whether for trap shooting or to get ready for upcoming hunting seasons.

Participants must: bring their own shotgun, ammo, eye and ear protection, and register online.

MDC will provide one round of 25 clay targets per person registered.

11 -17-year-olds are REQUIRED to have an adult with them throughout their time on the range.

Join us for a brief overview regarding the sport of dove hunting. Dove hunting season is quickly approaching, and this program will identify what gear is needed, tips for being successful before and during your hunt, the importance of hunting with non-toxic ammunition, and why dove hunting is so popular.

Bow Hunting: This course is designed to help you prepare yourself with a session on bow hunting gear, proper clothing, stands, calls, and techniques to improve your chances of success. We will discuss best bow hunting practices, safety and how bow hunting differs from hunting deer with a rifle. This is a beginner's program. The link to join this class will be sent the morning of the class. Be sure to check your Spam or Junk box for the email. If an email is not received, please send an email to the instructor to let them know.

This squirrel hunting clinic is for first time hunters or anyone wanting to gain more experience hunting squirrels. Hunters 16 years of age and older must be hunter education certified and possess a valid small game hunting permit, or proof of exemption.

Friday evening (5:00pm-8:00pm) will consist of a classroom setting to learn habit, regulations, equipment familiarization and target shooting. Saturday morning (6:30am-12:00pm) will consist of squirrel hunting, a cleaning demonstration and how to prepare squirrel for cooking.

Each hunter will be assigned by a mentor. Firearms and ammunition will be provided.

Hunting Dog Basics

Do you love hunting and dogs and want to combine your passions out in the field? Are you considering purchasing a hunting dog or have a young dog you’re struggling to train? If your answer to any of these questions is “yes” then this workshop is for you! MDC is partnering with local hunting dog professionals / trainers to teach the basics of hunting dogs.

Topics included:

- Breed selection

- Basic obedience and training

- Flushing Dogs

- Pointing Dogs

- Retriever Dogs

The workshop will start out in the field (mowed and maintained) with an opportunity to visit with 3 local professional hunting dog trainers. We will have a short program inside the classroom and return to the field and water for additional demonstrations and training strategies. The workshop is designed to be informal, allowing participants to ask questions and learn from some experts. If you have a young dog that is current on all their vaccinations, please feel free to bring them or if you just want to observe and learn, all are welcome. Come spend the morning with some great people and some of our great four-legged friends! If you have any additional questions or need assistance registering, please contact:

Lyle Whittaker (417)895-6880 ext. 1644

Lyle.whittaker@mdc.mo.gov

This class will be the complete guide to using all methods of bow and arrow including, long bow, compound, crossbow, atlatl and more. We will shoot each method in hunting like situations, be prepared to be outside for this class.

3D Archery is a fun, yet challenging game where archers shoot at life-sized animal targets at unknown distances to simulate real life hunting scenarios. This program is intended for hunters and other experienced archers looking to improve their shooting skills. Participants need to provide their own equipment.