Hunting

Registration required (women ages 16+) Bowhunting is a great way to spend time in nature while challenging yourself to ethically harvest food for your table. This class is designed for those who have never hunted as well as those who have hunted before but are new to hunting with a bow. The instructor is a woman who took up hunting as an adult. She will share tips for buying gear, where to hunt in KC, being safe during your hunt and how to care for the meat. Come prepared with plenty of questions.

Don't want to spend a lot of money but want to show off your deer harvest for years to come? Learn how to European mount your deer head. We will be covering how to make it shine as well as other tips, tricks, and techniques.

This will be a scramble style 5 stand game. This tournament will consist of two person teams. It will consist of 5 stations. Each team will fire 3 sets at each station. Each station will consist of 3 clay targets in which a team of two shooters will fire 4 total shots 2 per team mate. This is an event strictly for fun, there are no prizes. The program is free to enter each person will need to sign up individually. We are not providing firearms or ammunition. This provides a good warmup opportunity for hunting seasons coming up. We have openings for 16 teams. Scores will be kept for bragging rights.

This skills session will satisfy part two of Missouri Hunter Education requirements. This skills session will satisfy part two of the Missouri Hunter Education requirements. To enter the session, you must complete the knowledge portion and provide proof of completion by presenting either a qualifier certificate or a completed hunter education student manual the day of the event. All students must provide proof of identification and 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 16 and older who have successfully completed the all-online Hunter Education course do not need to attend an in-person skills session.

COVID-19 continues to impact daily operations at all MDC facilities including hunter education classes. Protocols are now in place to provide safety for students and staff including:

• Only students seeking certification and staff are allowed in the classroom

• All staff are required to wear a facemask and practice social distancing

• All students are encouraged to wear a facemask and must practice social distancing

• All students will be asked to use hand sanitizer when arriving and prior to handling firearms

Everyone will be asked self-certification questions related to COVID-19. If you answer yes to any of the following self-certification questions, you should NOT attend.

• Do you, or a person you live with, have:

o A temperature of 100.4°F or higher, OR

o Two or more of the following: chills, new loss of taste or smell, or unexplained body aches, headache, or sore throat, OR

o One or more of the following: dry, non-productive cough (new onset or worsening of chronic cough), shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing?

• If you have traveled outside of Missouri, did you have contact with anyone known to have COVID-19 or visit an area with high incident of COVID-19?

• Have you come into contact with anyone who has been sick?

• In the last two weeks, did you care for or have close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19?

Please self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms before attending the program and stay home if you are exhibiting symptoms.

We apologize for any inconvenience and are aware some people will have to travel farther than preferred to attend a skills session. Because of this, we encourage those 16 years or older to consider the online hunter education certification option which allows you to take the course online. There is a convenience fee of $19.95 for this online class. Please note all funds go to the web host and not MDC.

The knowledge portion requirement can easily be achieved by reading and completing the chapter review questions in the Missouri hunter education manual and bringing the completed manual with you to a skills session you have registered to attend. To receive a FREE manual, please request one online at https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/hunter-education-skills-training/hunter-ed-study-guide-order-form or call 417-895-6880, M-F, 8am to 5pm to have one mailed to you. An online knowledge course option is also available; however, there is a charge for taking this portion online.

All in-person classes are subject to cancelation or postponement due to COVID-19. So please plan to attend a session as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please contact the lead instructor listed for this session. Thank you.

15 students/COVID protocols

Modern Sporting Rifles are one of the most popular rifles owned and used by hunters and shooters today. They are lightweight, modular for ease of modification, and available in many popular calibers for both recreational shooting and hunting applications. Join us to learn more about the Modern Sporting Rifle, how to safely use, clean and maintain it, how to select the proper caliber for your application, and much more. If you plan to use your own, bring a minimum of 50 rounds of new ammunition in the caliber of your rifle. There should be no live ammunition, or uncased firearms inside the classroom. Please leave all firearms in the vehicle until the class is dismissed to go down range to shoot. This includes concealed carry handguns and magazines. Make sure your rifle is completely unloaded before you arrive at the range.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites new hunters to attend a free virtual squirrel hunting clinic and in-person mentored hunt in Boone County. The virtual program will be Wednesday September 29th from 6:00pm-7:00pm. An in-person mentored hunt will take place in Boone County on Saturday, October 2nd from 8:00am-2:00pm. More information about the virtual program will be provided to registered participants closer to the date of the program. Participants in the mentored hunt need to meet all hunter education requirements detailed at www.mdc.mo.gov/huntereducation. Participants are allowed to bring their own firearms or firearms and ammunition will be made available upon request at no cost.

Squirrel hunting is a great way to enjoy time in the woods in fall. You don’t need a lot of equipment to hunt squirrels, they are almost everywhere, and they are delicious! Join us in a discussion about hunting safety, regulations, guns, strategies, and recipes. Participants will receive a link to the program via e-mail the day before and the the day of the program. Registration Required. Ages 10 and up.

400 Missouri residents were drawn to participate in this year's inaugural black bear hunt which opens on October 18th. Those hunters were invited to attend special educational programs to learn about black bear hunting in Missouri. Now, we’re opening that educational opportunity to the public! This program covers a variety of topics on how to prepare for black bear hunting in Missouri.

A link to the virtual event will be emailed on the date of the event to everyone who registers.

The Drexel VFW Post 4347 will be sponsoring a Hunter Safety Education Class on Saturday, October 2, 2021 from 8:00 am – 12:00 noon at 110 1st Street in Drexel, MO. 64742 in preparation for their Squirrel Hunt.

You must be 11 years old as of October 2nd and participants 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Drexel VFW Post 4347 located at 110 1st Street in Drexel, MO. 64742. For questions call: Dennis Desmond @ 660-815-7742 or email Doris Romi: dorisromi@me.com. Books may be picked up on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 8:30 am and noon from the Rural Water District 12 at 100 E Walnut in Drexel or email Doris Romi and she can arrange to meet you at the VFW Post 4347 at 110 1st Street with a book or you may pick up one from your Conservation Agent, by calling Phil Needham at 816-809-6259 or Ginger Miller, Missouri Department of Conservation, Conservation Educator at 2010 S. Second St., Clinton Office Clinton, Missouri 64735. Phone: 660-885-8179

You must bring the Todays Hunter Book (This is free) with completed chapter questions in the back or a Qualifier Certificate to class (You must pay for this). Snacks and drinks will be provided by the Drexel VFW Post 4347.

There is a minimum of 10 registered before the class can be held. Parents may also sign up if you haven’t had a hunter Safety Education Class.

You must pick up the book and complete all questions in the back of the book for each chapter and bring your completed book to class (Step # 1 part 2). Unless you do this, you cannot complete the class. Please be aware of COVID. Mask, hand sanitizer, wipes, and temperature check will be available along with a 6 ft spacing. There will be a 35 multiple question Test. You must pass with an 80%.

Questions: Dennis Desmond @ 660-815-7742. Please leave a message if I do not answer.

Step #1: The Knowledge Portion

Choose ONE of three convenient options to complete the knowledge session:

1. Hunter Education Online - Applicable fee of $19.95 online course paid to online program provider. (An option but see #2 below. It’s free.)

Our convenient online/mobile course is adapted to those with sight and hearing difficulties. It includes text, audio, images, graphs, videos, and interactive animation to help you complete all the chapter reviews. You MUST complete all the chapter reviews in order to receive your skills-session qualifier certificate. You MUST print a copy of the skills-session qualifier certificate or display the PDF on your mobile device to enter the skills session.

2. Self-Study Guide – Free - Do this one. See Doris Romi for a book.

Order a study guide (Todays Hunter Book) online or pick one up at a Missouri Department of Conservation office. Study the illustrated manual, complete all chapter review questions, and present to the instructor at the skills session.

3. Classroom Session - Free

Register and attend a four-hour classroom session featuring lectures and videos. You MUST attend the session, complete all student manual chapter review questions, and present to the instructor at the skills session.

Step #2: Skills Session and Final Exam at the Drexel VFW Post 4347 from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm. Free

Register for a skills session online and pass the exam

• No matter how you complete the knowledge session you MUST register for and attend a four-hour skills session.

• You MUST bring your student manual with all chapter reviews completed or the online skills session qualifier certificate to gain entry.

After successfully completing the skills session and passing a 35-question, multiple-choice final with a score of 80 percent or better, you will receive a temporary certificate so you can purchase a permit and hunt immediately.

If you plan to hunt during a Missouri firearms season or you are acting as an adult mentor, you MUST first complete an approved hunter-education certification program and provide proof of completion UNLESS:

• You are 15 or younger and will be hunting with a properly permitted adult mentor 18 or older.

• You were born before Jan. 1, 1967.

• You received a disability exemption from Missouri Department of Conservation’s Protection Division.

• You are 16 or older and have purchased an Apprentice Hunter Authorization and will be hunting with a properly permitted adult mentor 18 or older.

• You are the landowner hunting on land you own using Resident Landowner permits.

NOTE: If you can prove you completed an approved hunter education course in another state, you are not required to take Missouri’s Hunter Education Course.

https://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/hunter-education

Learn the basics of hunting the whitetail deer. We will cover scouting, setup, shooting and much more.

Learn the basics of hunting the whitetail deer. We will cover scouting, setup, shooting and much more.

White-tailed deer are one of the most challenging game animals to pursue. Pursuing them on public lands is exponentially more challenging. Attend this virtual program for some tips on how to locate and pattern public land deer to make your hunting efforts more enjoyable.

Tree stand accidents are one of the major causes of hunting related injuries. Find out steps that you can take to ensure your safety while hunting from, and setting up, a tree stand. Several examples of different tree stands will be utilized during the program. Early Registration begins September 16. Registration Required. Ages 12 and up.

Women’s Managed Deer Hunt, Shaw Nature Reserve

Hunting Date October 9

Hunt # 97

Apply for the hunt, July 1 – 31

Go to mdc.mo.gov/managed hunt to apply

Email Kurt Otterstein at kurt.otterstein@mdc.mo.gov if you have any questions.

This clinic will cover the basics of duck hunting for youth hunters who are curious about getting into duck hunting.

New to bowhunting deer? Or just want to expand your knowledge? Archery deer hunting is a rich and rewarding experience that will get you out in the woods, open more hunting opportunities, teach you more about deer, and create lifelong memories. Join us in this program and learn about deer biology, habits, archery hunting equipment, hunting and archery strategies, and deer hunting regulations.

YOUTH ONLY, ages 11-18

This is a two day class, that includes a mentored youth Chukar hunt on Sunday, October 17.

All supplies & firearms provided.

Please contact Jerri Lynn @ 816-309-8612, pre-registration REQUIRED. Class put on by Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation.

It is preferred that women are Hunter Ed. certified. If you are not please call Adam with MDC to discuss it. Also contact Adam with any questions. 660-247-1601.

Participants must register on-line to attend.

We will have a safety discussion, followed by clay bird shooting, and then walking the fields to shoot pen raised quail. Lunch is provided.

Prepare for firearms deer hunting season by getting acquainted with the correct bullets and cartridges to ensure a safe hunting experience. This program will cover the basics of ammunition and help you understand the curious terms that go along with finding the correct bullets and cartridges for your firearm. Registration required. Ages 16+. Masks strongly encouraged.

This skills session will satisfy part two of Missouri Hunter Education requirements. This skills session will satisfy part two of the Missouri Hunter Education requirements. To enter the session, you must complete the knowledge portion and provide proof of completion by presenting either a qualifier certificate or a completed hunter education student manual the day of the event. All students must provide proof of identification and 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 16 and older who have successfully completed the all-online Hunter Education course do not need to attend an in-person skills session.

COVID-19 continues to impact daily operations at all MDC facilities including hunter education classes. Protocols are now in place to provide safety for students and staff including:

• Only students seeking certification and staff are allowed in the classroom

• All staff are required to wear a facemask and practice social distancing

• All students are encouraged to wear a facemask and must practice social distancing

• All students will be asked to use hand sanitizer when arriving and prior to handling firearms

Everyone will be asked self-certification questions related to COVID-19. If you answer yes to any of the following self-certification questions, you should NOT attend.

• Do you, or a person you live with, have:

o A temperature of 100.4°F or higher, OR

o Two or more of the following: chills, new loss of taste or smell, or unexplained body aches, headache, or sore throat, OR

o One or more of the following: dry, non-productive cough (new onset or worsening of chronic cough), shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing?

• If you have traveled outside of Missouri, did you have contact with anyone known to have COVID-19 or visit an area with high incident of COVID-19?

• Have you come into contact with anyone who has been sick?

• In the last two weeks, did you care for or have close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19?

Please self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms before attending the program and stay home if you are exhibiting symptoms.

We apologize for any inconvenience and are aware some people will have to travel farther than preferred to attend a skills session. Because of this, we encourage those 16 years or older to consider the online hunter education certification option which allows you to take the course online. There is a convenience fee of $19.95 for this online class. Please note all funds go to the web host and not MDC.

The knowledge portion requirement can easily be achieved by reading and completing the chapter review questions in the Missouri hunter education manual and bringing the completed manual with you to a skills session you have registered to attend. To receive a FREE manual, please request one online at https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/hunter-education-skills-training/hunter-ed-study-guide-order-form or call 417-895-6880, M-F, 8am to 5pm to have one mailed to you. An online knowledge course option is also available; however, there is a charge for taking this portion online.

All in-person classes are subject to cancelation or postponement due to COVID-19. So please plan to attend a session as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please contact the lead instructor listed for this session. Thank you.

15 students/COVID protocols

Whether you are backpacking, camping, or at a backyard cookout, food just tastes better when it’s cooked outside! We will learn how to cook outside safely and practice a variety of different techniques before tasting our hard-earned rewards.

First Time Deer Hunters, Firearm

October 23 & 24

Hunt # 98

1 deer of either sex

Hunter must attend pre-hunt orientation, those who do not attend, are disqualified.

Only first-time deer hunters, 18 years of age or older, who have never harvested a deer are eligible.

Hunters who require an assistant must provide one.

Mandatory Pre-Hunt Orientation – Tuesday, September 21, 6pm – 8pm, Jay Henges Shooting Range, Education Center

Contact Kurt Otterstein at kurt.otterstein@mdc.mo.gov for questions

This program and hunt is for youth, new to duck hunting, that is interested in learning the skills needed to successfully hunt ducks. We will begin with a mandatory class on Wednesday, October 13 from 6-7 p.m. to discuss safety, firearms, clothing, hunting techniques, and details of the hunt. All participants for the hunt must attend the mandatory clinic and be Hunter Education Certified to participate in the hunt on October 23.

This program and hunt is for youth, new to duck hunting, that is interested in learning the skills needed to successfully hunt ducks. We will begin with a mandatory class on Wednesday, October 13 from 6-7 p.m. to discuss safety, firearms, clothing, hunting techniques, and details of the hunt. All participants for the hunt must attend the mandatory clinic and be Hunter Education Certified to participate in the hunt on October 24.

This event is a partnership between The Missouri Department of

Conservation (MDC), The Outdoor Dream Foundation (ODF), Missouri

Disabled Sportsmen (MDS), Dead end Game Calls, and Rest Inn Him Lodge. Applicants will be sent

formal application paperwork following their registration on MDC’s site.

Outdoor Dream will review applications, and provided any necessary

hunting gear for successful applicants. Rest Inn Him will provide lodging and

activities for participants during the weekend. Missouri Disabled Sportsmen

will provide funding for meals. MDC will supply track chairs, equipment &

supplies, as well as necessary staff. Participants will attend a deer hunting

clinic, be taken on a Mentored deer hunt in some of Missouri’s best deer

country, and have some time for fishing and other activities around deer

camp. Those applicants 16 years of age or older will hunt using archery methods