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.
Date:
Friday, August 1, 2025 8:30 pm - Friday, August 1, 2025 11:00 pm
Location:
Runge Conservation Nature Center
Bullfrogs and green frogs are some tasty amphibians! Join us for this nighttime program to learn the ins and outs of how to gig frogs. After learning the basics, we will head to the ponds to do some gigging! Wear shoes and clothes that can get wet and muddy. All equipment will be provided. Ages 16 to 64 will need a fishing permit. Registration required. Ages 10+
Date:
Sunday, August 3, 2025 4:00 pm - Sunday, August 3, 2025 5:30 pm
Location:
Online only
Have you took an interest in in shooting archery or bow hunting? In this class we will cover all the fundamentals of purchasing and caring for you bow.
Date:
Saturday, August 9, 2025 10:00 am - Saturday, August 9, 2025 12:00 pm
Location:
Runge Conservation Nature Center
An atlatl is a hunting tool created over 20,000 years ago. Join us as we explore the history of the atlatl and how it is used today. The naturalist will demonstrate the atlatl technique and then offer you the opportunity to give it a try. Participants should be prepared to stand or bring a camp chair. Registration required. Ages 10+
Note: Runge's outdoor range may not be accessible to 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.
Date:
Saturday, August 9, 2025 2:00 pm - Saturday, August 9, 2025 4:00 pm
Location:
Cape Girardeau Nature Center
Do you enjoy hunting or shooting sports? Have you never shot a firearm, but would like to try? Are you a video game fanatic? If the answer is yes to any of those questions, come to the nature center and try your hand at a virtual hunting and shooting experience called Lasershot. This virtual gaming unit allows users to practice their skills by shooting a dummy firearm at a gaming screen. New and experienced hunters and shooters can test their skills, try something new, or try to beat the high score.
Date:
Tuesday, August 12, 2025 7:30 am - Tuesday, August 12, 2025 12:30 pm
Location:
Apple Creek Conservation Area
Take aim and build confidence at our Teen Rifle Shoot! Participants will learn firearm safety, improve marksmanship skills, and enjoy a safe, supervised morning on the range. Transportation will be provided to and from the nature center, bring water, a hat, and sunscreen. This program is open to those who have had no previous experience shooting a rifle but who are interested in learning more about shooting sports or hunting. All safety equipment and firearms will be provided. Teens will be closely supervised by MDC staff and receive one on one instruction.
Date:
Tuesday, August 12, 2025 5:00 pm - Tuesday, August 12, 2025 7:00 pm
Location:
August A Busch Shooting Range
The Missouri Department of Conservation has a regulation that requires hunters at certain conservation areas to use non-toxic shotshells while hunting for doves and various other game species. This class is designed to help hunters become more efficient and ethical harvesters of waterfowl and other species 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, followed by a live fire portion to test your new skill. Bring your firearm and chokes, ammunition will be provided.
Date:
Saturday, August 16, 2025 1:00 pm - Saturday, August 16, 2025 6:00 pm
Location:
Cowell
This workshop/farm tour will be about creating quality habitat for whitetail deer on a working farm. We will discuss how population dynamics affect not only the quality of success but how managing for quality hunting can co-exist inside of a CWD zone.
Date:
Saturday, August 16, 2025 2:00 pm - Saturday, August 16, 2025 3:30 pm
Location:
Cape Girardeau Nature Center
Curious about dove hunting but not sure where to begin? This beginner-friendly program will cover the basics from seasons to gear and getting started. Whether you’re interested in filling your freezer or just exploring a new outdoor skill, we’ll help you take the first step.