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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Missouri Disabled Sportsmen will be hosting a series of mobility impaired and or youth hunter waterfowl hunts in partnership with DuckHorn Lodge during the 2025/2026 season.
The chosen hunters for each day will be provided with experienced mentors, decoys, and assistance in the field. Hunter selection will be finalized after the registration period has closed. The selected hunters will be notified of their inclusion, and the non-selected applicants will be placed on the waiting list.
Chosen hunters will be responsible for their own travel to DuckHorn Lodge and any applicable hunting license(s) and stamp.
This registration is an application to participate in the hunt. Applying does not guarantee a spot on the hunt.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is offering a mentored duck hunting experience at the Jay and Carolyn Henges Wetland Education and Conservation Center. This program is designed for new hunters to gain experience in duck hunting with the guidance of skilled mentors in a safe, supportive environment.
Participants will learn the basics of waterfowl hunting, including firearm safety, hunting regulations, species identification, ethical hunting practices, and shooting techniques. This hands-on learning opportunity is intended to build skills and confidence while fostering a lifelong appreciation for Missouri’s hunting heritage and natural resources.
Participation is free, but registration is required.
Please note: Registration does not guarantee a spot on the hunt. Due to limited space, participants will be selected based on eligibility, with priority given to those who have never hunted before.
All selected participants must attend a mandatory pre-hunt orientation at the August A. Busch Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center on September 29th OR October 28th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to be eligible to participate in the hunt.
Participants must be at least 11 years old and Hunter Education Certified.
Selected participants will be contacted with further details and instructions.
Our ancestors utilized many parts of deer they harvested. Many products such as candles, skin moisturizing heel balms, soaps, water-proofing fabrics, fire starters, etc. can be made from deer fat (tallow). Come learn how to convert deer fat into a soothing heel balm and candles!
At this 1.5 hr. hands-on workshop, you will bring and work with frozen deer fat from deer you and your classmates have harvested this season. We will have fat available to demonstrate techniques and you will take home a sample of heel balm, a candle, and a fire starter. A handout with recipes and directions for heel balm, body butter, candles, and fire starters will be provided.
Wear old clothes and bring a rubber apron, if you have one. A heavy trash bag can be used in place of an apron. Bring along the fat from your harvested deer to add to the melting pot in class.
After harvesting and skinning your deer, remove the hard, waxy fat from the back of the deer and around the kidneys and freeze. Bring this fat along to class to use.
Happy Hunting!
Location detail: This program will be in the Old Champs, next to Off Broadway Shoes, enter through the northwest corner entrances near Fun Run or JC Penney.
Our ancestors utilized many parts of deer they harvested. Many products such as candles, skin moisturizing heel balms, soaps, water-proofing fabrics, fire starters, etc. can be made from deer fat (tallow). Come learn how to convert deer fat into a soothing heel balm and candles!
At this 1.5 hr. hands-on workshop, you will bring and work with frozen deer fat from deer you and your classmates have harvested this season. We will have fat available to demonstrate techniques and you will take home a sample of heel balm, a candle, and a fire starter. A handout with recipes and directions for heel balm, body butter, candles, and fire starters will be provided.
Wear old clothes and bring a rubber apron, if you have one. A heavy trash bag can be used in place of an apron. Bring along the fat from your harvested deer to add to the melting pot in class.
After harvesting and skinning your deer, remove the hard, waxy fat from the back of the deer and around the kidneys and freeze. Bring this fat along to class to use.
Happy Hunting!
Our ancestors utilized many parts of deer they harvested. Many products such as candles, skin moisturizing heel balms, soaps, water-proofing fabrics, fire starters, etc. can be made from deer fat (tallow). Come learn how to convert deer fat into a soothing heel balm and candles!
At this 1.5 hr. hands-on workshop, you will bring and work with frozen deer fat from deer you and your classmates have harvested this season. We will have fat available to demonstrate techniques and you will take home a sample of heel balm, a candle, and a fire starter. A handout with recipes and directions for heel balm, body butter, candles, and fire starters will be provided.
Wear old clothes and bring a rubber apron, if you have one. A heavy trash bag can be used in place of an apron. Bring along the fat from your harvested deer to add to the melting pot in class.
After harvesting and skinning your deer, remove the hard, waxy fat from the back of the deer and around the kidneys and freeze. Bring this fat along to class to use.
Happy Hunting!
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is offering a mentored duck hunting experience at the Jay and Carolyn Henges Wetland Education and Conservation Center. This program is designed for youth hunters to gain experience in duck hunting with the guidance of skilled mentors in a safe, supportive environment.
Participants will learn the basics of waterfowl hunting, including firearm safety, hunting regulations, species identification, ethical hunting practices, and shooting techniques. This hands-on learning opportunity is intended to build skills and confidence while fostering a lifelong appreciation for Missouri’s hunting heritage and natural resources.
Participation is free, but registration is required.
All selected participants must attend a mandatory pre-hunt orientation at the August A. Busch Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center on September 29th OR October 28th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to be eligible to participate in the hunt.
Participants must be Hunter Education Certified.
If you have wondered about canning but didn't know how to start, come by the Cape Nature Center and see what it's all about. While it's not difficult to learn, specific safety guidelines and procedures need to be followed but can easily be learned in simple manageable steps.
Canning venison will turn any cut of venison into something as tasty as kettle beef. No need to fill up your freezer when you can fill up your shelves with a dinner that can be ready in 20 minutes.
Samples will be provided to participants.
A beginner canning course will be offered on 12/10/2025 and requires pre-registration.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is offering a mentored duck hunting experience at the Jay and Carolyn Henges Wetland Education and Conservation Center. This program is designed for youth hunters to gain experience in duck hunting with the guidance of skilled mentors in a safe, supportive environment.
Participants will learn the basics of waterfowl hunting, including firearm safety, hunting regulations, species identification, ethical hunting practices, and shooting techniques. This hands-on learning opportunity is intended to build skills and confidence while fostering a lifelong appreciation for Missouri’s hunting heritage and natural resources.
Participation is free, but registration is required.
All selected participants must attend a mandatory pre-hunt orientation at the August A. Busch Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center on September 29th OR October 28th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to be eligible to participate in the hunt.
Participants must be Hunter Education Certified.
Ever wonder what people mean when they say their deer scored 170? Have you wanted to know if harvest was a trophy setting animal? Join us for this class to learn how to score your harvest and what animals can be scored. This class does not qualify you to become a scorer yourself, an official scorer must score your animal to be eligible for any record setting.