Hunting

Want to turn your deer harvest into delicious, freezer-ready venison? Join the Missouri Department of Conservation for an engaging, beginner-friendly program that walks you through the deer processing journey—from field to freezer!

Learn the essential steps for handling your deer after harvest, including skinning, quartering, identifying different cuts of meat, and preparing venison for safe storage. MDC staff will demonstrate processing techniques using videos, equipment examples, and a step-by-step look at how a deer goes from hanging in the cooler to packaged meat ready for your freezer.

We’ll also discuss knife selection, processing tools, proper packaging and storage techniques, and tips for preparing venison, along with recipe ideas to help you make the most of your harvest. There will be time to ask questions and gain practical knowledge to help you feel more confident processing your own deer.

Whether you’re a first-time deer hunter, interested in do-it-yourself processing, or simply looking to improve your skills, this program will provide useful information to help you make the most of your harvest.

No equipment or supplies are needed. Feel free to bring a notebook or camera to capture helpful tips and techniques. Advance registration is required for all participants.

Come learn how to take your harvest from field to freezer!

Ages 11 – 15 are welcome to attend with a registered adult.

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.

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.

If you have any questions, please contact the lead instructor listed for this session.

Thank you.

Hide to Rawhide: Our ancestors utilized deer hides for making clothing, containers, musical instruments, shelter and more. Learn how to flesh, scrape, stretch, and dry your deer hide to make rawhide. 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.

Learn the basics of squirrel hunting and have a chance to practice target shooting with an air rifle afterwards. All equipment and ammo will be provided for the shooting portion.

No personal firearms allowed.

Learn to make a knife or awl from a deer legbone.

The art of making bone tools has been passed on from generation to generation throughout time. MDC is partnering with Outdoor Skills of America, Inc. to offer a class showcasing the steps it takes to transform a deer leg bone into a knife or awl for leatherworking. This class will include a full demonstration and all materials needed to complete a knife or awl of your very own.

We will use the flat-sided deer metatarsals for knifes and metacarpals for awls. Pine pitch, sinew, and hide glue will be used for assembling the tools. You will leave with the knowledge to harvest, clean, and process bones for assembling your own knives and awls in the future.

Visit with members of the Missouri Duck Decoy Collectors and view a variety of decoys from the last century, many of which were created in Jefferson City! Learn about the materials and artistry that went into creating this useful hunting gear, turning them into unique works of art. Ongoing lobby activities for all ages will feature games, crafts, and displays highlighting Missouri's waterfowl.

Want to take on a new and exciting archery challenge? Runge 3D archery is here! This intermediate program is meant for archers who have beginning skills and want to learn the basics of archery hunting. We will practice our archery skills before heading to the woods to shoot 3D targets. We will also shoot from ground blinds and tree stands to get a more realistic experience. Meet at the Runge outdoor pavilion. Dress for the weather with closed-toe shoes. Parents and group leaders should be prepared to stand for an hour or bring a camp chair.

Note: The woods may not be accessible for 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.

Hunting is a fantastic way to put dinner on the table and help manage wildlife. With our Lasershot system you can practice your shot, play a game, and learn to handle a firearm all at once in a safe and welcoming environment. Whether you are an experienced hunter or you have never pulled a trigger, this program has something for you. No signup is required, and attendees can come to the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center at any time during the program to participate. Recommended for ages 7+

Hunting Series: Hunting Deer on MDC Conservation Areas in the Missouri Ozarks. This is the fifth virtual program "Movement Patterns of the Rut" and will be on Monday, November 30 from 5:30-6:30 PM. MDC Wildlife Biologist Matthew Peter will discuss strategies to harvest bucks or does after the November firearm season. The link to join this class will be sent by 1 PM the afternoon of Nov. 30th (registration will close at 1 PM). Be sure to check your Spam or Junk box for the email. If an email is not received, please send an email to Dwight.Warnke@mdc.mo.gov to let him know.

Hunt Program Series:

Wed. 9/30 5:30-6:30 PM: Virtual Program: Deer Scouting Using Online Mapping (we hope you were able to attend)

Mon. 10/5 5:30-6:30 PM: Virtual Program: On the Ground Scouting & Stand Placement at MDC C.A. (we hope you were able to attend)

Tues. 10/13 5:30-6:30 PM: Virtual Program: Pre Rut Deer Sign (we hope you were able to attend)

Wed. 10/21 5:30-6:30 PM: Virtual Program: Movement Patterns of the Rut (we hope you were able to attend)

Mon. 11/30 5:30-6:30 PM: Virtual Program: Post Rut and Winter Deer Hunting

MDC will be holding a field to freezer antlerless hunt in Randolph County. We will be hunting on a private landowner and harvested deer will be brought to the Westran Fire Protection District fire station in Huntsville where we learn how to skin, process, and label our harvested game.

We will meet Friday December 4th, at 6:00 PM for a dinner, meet and greet, and general information sharing at the Westran Fire Station 573 N. Main Street, Huntsville MO.

Saturday December 5th we will hunt all morning and evening. Meals will be provided Friday evening and Saturday.