Hunting

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Two hunters in safety orange sit by a tree. One is taking aim at a deer.
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A successful hunting trip involves planning, scouting, and patience. Missouri offers a variety of hunting opportunities to hone your skills.

If you plan to hunt with a firearm, you will need to complete a hunter education course before you can buy a permit. If you plan to bow hunt, MDC offers optional bow hunter education. 

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Events

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Registration period: November 10 - May 7
Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026 5:30 pm - Thursday, May 7, 2026 6:30 pm
Location: Online only
Small Game: Join us as we discuss the nuances of small game hunting. We will go over techniques for squirrel and rabbits, but we will discuss various animals in the small game category. 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.
Registration period: April 15 - May 12
Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026 6:00 pm - Thursday, May 14, 2026 8:00 pm
Location: Lake City Shooting Range
Trap shooting is fun and a great way to prepare for bird hunting seasons. Whether you’re new to shotguns or want to sharpen your skills, this class is for you! We’ll cover safety, proper firearms and ammunition, game rules, field etiquette, and field layout. Firearms and ammunition will be provided, or feel free to bring your own.
Registration period: May 2 - May 15
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026 9:00 am - Saturday, May 16, 2026 5:00 pm
Location: Cape Girardeau Nature Center

Turn your next deer into your own custom gun sling!

If you’ve ever wondered what happens to the hide after a harvest—or wanted to use more of the animal you worked hard to take—this hands-on workshop is for you. You’ll learn about the process of how to transform a raw deer hide into durable, beautiful leather using traditional tree-bark tanning techniques that have been used for generations.

We’ll dig into the history of hide tanning and how Native American and European cultures developed different methods to create leather for clothing, tools, and hunting gear. Then you’ll put those skills into action by designing and creating your own leather gun sling—cutting, shaping, and finishing it yourself.

By the end of the program, you’ll walk away with a one-of-a-kind piece of gear, a deeper appreciation for using the whole animal, and practical, old-school skills you can keep using for future hunts and projects.

Spots are limited—come make something you’ll actually use in the field.
Registration period: February 27 - May 10
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026 1:00 pm - Saturday, May 16, 2026 2:00 pm
Location: Shaw Nature Reserve
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.
Registration period: November 10 - May 28
Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026 5:30 pm - Thursday, May 28, 2026 6:30 pm
Location: Online only
Trapping: Join us to learn how to use trapping as a nuisance wildlife control technique and find enjoyment in being in nature at the same time. 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.
Registration period: May 1 - June 9
Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026 8:00 am - Thursday, June 11, 2026 9:30 am
Location: Lake City Shooting Range
5-Stand is a dynamic shotgun shooting game that combines elements of trap, skeet, and sporting clays into one fast-paced experience—all from a single shooting station, so there’s less walking and more shooting. Shooters rotate through a series of five stands, facing a variety of clay target presentations that simulate real hunting and competitive scenarios. Because of this variety, 5-Stand is an excellent way to build and sharpen overall shotgun skills. In a typical 5-Stand session, you’ll learn the rules of the game, proper range etiquette, shotgun and choke selection. You can bring your own shotgun or use one provided, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced shooters alike.
Registration period: May 28 - June 11
Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026 5:30 pm - Thursday, June 11, 2026 7:00 pm
Location: Cape Girardeau Nature Center

Have you thought about squirrel hunting but have no idea where to start?

Squirrels are one of the most exciting small game animals you can hunt. With their unpredictable movements and gigantic leaps through the tree canopies, squirrel hunting offers a challenge for both beginners and seasoned hunters. It’s a great sport to introduce to friends and family. The added plus is you can enjoy a tasty meal at the end of the day.

Squirrel Hunting 101 will deliver the basics so you can get started and discover the best tips to help you succeed!

Also sign up for Small Game, Big Skills: Squirrel Cleaning 101 following this program, starting at 7pm.

Registration period: November 10 - June 11
Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026 5:30 pm - Thursday, June 11, 2026 6:30 pm
Location: Online only
Waterfowl: Join us in learning some of the basics for waterfowl hunting. 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.
Registration period: May 28 - June 11
Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026 7:00 pm - Thursday, June 11, 2026 7:30 pm
Location: Cape Girardeau Nature Center

Ever wondered what to do after you take the shot? This hands-on workshop walks you through the essential skills every small-game hunter should know—how to properly clean and process a squirrel from the field to the freezer.

Participants will learn safe, ethical, and efficient techniques for skinning, gutting, and preparing squirrels for cooking and storage. You’ll get step-by-step guidance and then practice the process yourself, building confidence with real tools and real game.

Along the way, we’ll talk about meat care, avoiding common mistakes, and how learning to process your own harvest helps you get the most from every hunt. By the end of the program, you’ll walk away with practical skills, a better understanding of where your food comes from, and the confidence to handle small game on your own next season.

Also sign up for Squirrel Hunting 101 that starts just before this program at 5:30pm!
Registration period: June 11 - June 23
Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026 5:30 pm - Thursday, June 25, 2026 7:00 pm
Location: Cape Girardeau Nature Center
Take a nice, crispy chip, dip it into a bowl of melty, buffalo-flavored goodness, and plop it in your mouth. Yum! This delicious appetizer is called Buffalo Squirrel Dip in this outdoor spin-off of the familiar favorite. Learn just what makes squirrels “limb chickens” in this easy-to-assemble recipe. Participants see a demonstration of how to prepare squirrel meat for this recipe, assemble a small batch to take home, and sample the finished product.