Hunting

Image
Image
Two hunters in safety orange sit by a tree. One is taking aim at a deer.
Right to Use
Topic Category
Body

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. 

Great Places For Hunting

Media
Bluffs along a stream
Monroe
This area provides access to the Elk Fork Salt River but there is no boat ramp.
Media
Buffalo Hills Natural Area
McDonald
Buffalo Hills Natural Area is a 486-acre tract about nine miles west of Goodman in McDonald Cou

Events

Find events near you.
Registration period: September 29 - December 4
Date: Thursday, December 7, 2023 5:00 pm - Thursday, December 7, 2023 8:00 pm
Location: Waynesville Rural Fire District Training Center

Deer from Hide to Rawhide: First steps toward buckskin leather

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. At this 3 hr. hands-on workshop, you will bring and work with a deer hide you harvested. We will have demonstration hides in various stages for you to learn from also.

Wear old clothes and bring a rubber apron, if you have one. A heavy trash bag can be used in place of an apron. If you have a fleshing knife, bring it along. We will have fleshing knives and beams available for use during the program. You will take home plans to build a simple fleshing beam and frame. You will need to purchase a fleshing knife and other simple materials to complete and stretch your hide at home.

After harvest, skin your deer and remove any excess flesh (meat) from the hide. Place hide in a leakproof bag and freeze. Instructions for soaking and preparing your hide for the class will be emailed to prior to the class. Hides must have a valid Conservation ID Number or Telecheck Confirmation Number accompanying them.

Participants 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Registration period: October 30 - December 4
Date: Friday, December 8, 2023 5:30 pm - Saturday, December 9, 2023 3:00 pm
Location: Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center

Join us for a novice squirrel hunting clinic. Day one will occur at Burr Oak Woods, and will include a classroom presentation over hunting basics, etiquette, ethics, regulations, firearm handling and safety, squirrel cleaning, preparation, and more. Day two will be at Lone Jack Lake Conservation Area. Directions will be given during the day one meeting so participants know where to meet on the morning of day two. During the hunt on day two, participants will be partnered up with a mentor that will stay alongside them for the duration of the day. If squirrels are harvested, a hands-on cleaning demo will occur at the conclusion of the event.

All participants must have necessary permit(s) and Hunter Education Certification to attend.
Registration period: August 29 - December 8
Date: Saturday, December 9, 2023 8:30 am - Saturday, December 9, 2023 10:30 am
Location: Andy Dalton Shooting Range

Join us to learn about cooking all sorts of wild game including rabbit, squirrel, deer and turkey. We will be looking at how to prepare good meals out of different game animals. We will also share some recipes that will make your mouth water. Feel free to have your favorite wild game recipe to share.

Registration period: August 29 - December 8
Date: Saturday, December 9, 2023 8:30 am - Saturday, December 9, 2023 10:30 am
Location: Online only

Join us to learn about cooking all sorts of wild game including rabbit, squirrel, deer and turkey. We will be looking at how to prepare good meals out of different game animals. We will also share some recipes that will make your mouth water. Feel free to have your favorite wild game recipe to share.

Registration period: November 1 - December 8
Date: Sunday, December 10, 2023 11:30 am - Sunday, December 10, 2023 1:30 pm
Location: St. Louis Regional Office/Busch Memorial CA

Come learn the basics of outdoor cooking and fire starting! We will learn a few campfire recipes and cook our own lunch on the fire. While we wait, sip some cocoa, and relax by the fire. Please dress for the weather and bring a folding chair and water bottle.

Please register each person attending individually. If you have any food allergies we should be aware of, please email instructor.
Registration period: August 29 - December 13
Date: Thursday, December 14, 2023 6:00 pm - Thursday, December 14, 2023 7:30 pm
Location: Andy Dalton Shooting Range

This class gives families an opportunity to learn about the skills necessary to hunt and harvest rabbits. Topics will include safety, rules and regulations, hunting methods, and techniques, as well as how to care for, and process harvested game.

Registration period: September 15 - December 15
Date: Friday, December 15, 2023 6:00 pm - Friday, December 15, 2023 7:30 pm
Location: Cape Girardeau Nature Center
You parents deserve a break! That’s why we are offering a program just for you while providing an equally awesome program for your children at the same time. Have you always wanted to attend one of our programs but had trouble finding childcare? Here’s your chance to practice and enjoy different methods of outdoor cooking while your kiddos enjoy fun naturalist-led activities and crafts in the adjoining classroom. Please enroll all children and adults that will be attending. Childcare will only be provided for ages 6 and up.
Registration period: November 27 - December 11
Date: Friday, December 29, 2023 12:00 pm - Sunday, December 31, 2023 1:00 pm
Location: Walker Farm

Missouri Disabled Sportsmen in partnership with a private landowner will be hosting two (2) mobility impaired hunters for an alternative season deer hunt in north central Missouri.

The selected particants will be provided with room & board, an experienced mentor, transportation to the hunt location from camp, RedNeck blinds and heaters to hunt from, and meat processing for travel.

The two selected partcipants will be notified two-weeks prior to the event of thier inclusion and be prvided further details for the hunt.
Registration period: October 6 - December 29
Date: Friday, December 29, 2023 2:00 pm - Friday, December 29, 2023 4:00 pm
Location: Cape Girardeau Nature Center

Do you love jerky but hate the price tag? Come and learn how to make a variety of delicious wildlife jerky.

Only registered participants may attend.
Registration period: October 6 - January 6
Date: Saturday, January 6, 2024 1:00 pm - Saturday, January 6, 2024 2:30 pm
Location: Cape Girardeau Nature Center

Small game hunting is exciting and for all ages. This class provides an opportunity to learn about the skills necessary to hunt and harvest rabbits. Topics will include safety, rules. habit and biology and hunting methods (with and without dogs and preparation of harvested game.

Only registered participants may attend program.