Whether you’re honing your skills for hunting or testing your prowess for the fun of it, the sport of shooting is directly tied to conservation. The Missouri Department of Conservation has shooters covered with resources for all different skill levels.
Looking for a shooting range? Find an MDC shooting range near you.
New to shooting and looking for instruction? Find educational opportunities through MDC.
Guidelines for Shooting at MDC Shooting Ranges
Tips To Be Safe and Courteous at a Shooting Range:
- Wear eye and ear protection when using firearms or when you are near others who are using firearms.
- Only use paper targets; attach the targets to the provided target stands.
- Remove your own litter, including used targets and empty hulls.
- Don’t shoot or handle a firearm when anyone is downrange of the shooting line.
Four Fundamental Rules of Firearm Safety. Always:
- Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
- Keep the safety on until you are ready to shoot.
- Be 100 percent certain of your target and what is beyond it before you shoot.
Types of MDC Shooting Ranges
Unstaffed Shooting Ranges
Unstaffed ranges on MDC areas offer opportunities for shooters to practice their shooting skills at their own pace. No fee required.
Staffed Shooting Ranges and Outdoor Education Centers
Staffed shooting ranges and outdoor education centers help you become a sharper, safer hunter or outdoors person regardless of your experience or skill level. Our staff of specialists and trained volunteers can help you or your group master firearms and archery. The centers also host educational public programming on many other outdoor skills.
Rifle/pistol range use is $5 per hour. Shotgun sports, where available, are $5 per round. All fees are payable only by cash or check.
Staffed shooting range and outdoor education centers are available for group use by purchasing a special use permit for $20 per hour. For details about reservations and using the centers, call the center.
Great Places for
Events
Join us to discover the joys of shotgun shooting. We will discuss shotgun nomenclature, stance, dominant eye, mounting, moving the shotgun, and much more. We will provide 20-gauge shotguns and ammunition for those who do not have one. If you plan to use your own, bring a minimum of 50 rounds of new ammunition for your firearm. Make sure all firearms are unloaded before arriving at the range. There should be no live ammunition, or uncased firearms inside the classroom. Please leave all firearms in the vehicle until the class is dismissed including all concealed carry handguns and magazines.
Introduction to Handgun Shooting is a two-day, two-part course designed for adults ages 18 and older who want a safe, comprehensive introduction to handgun use. Part One focuses on classroom instruction covering the rules of firearm safety, basic handgun operation, and the fundamentals of marksmanship. Students will also be introduced to common types of handguns and calibers. No experience is necessary.
Part Two focuses on live-fire range time and will be held on May 12 at Lake City Range. Registration for Part Two is offered exclusively to students who attend Part One, and sign-up details will be provided during the first session.
Trap shooting is a fun and exciting way to further your shotgun shooting knowledge. We will spend time talking about the game of trap, how to mount the gun, hold points, break points, forward allowance, and many more mechanics as it pertains to trap shooting. This program is not for the beginning shotgun shooter as it is an intermediate level program so unless you are beyond the basics in shotgunning this program is not for you. We will provide 20-gauge shotguns and ammunition for those who do not have one. If you plan to use your own, bring a minimum of 50 rounds of new ammunition for your firearm. Make sure all firearms are unloaded before arriving at the range. There should be no live ammunition, or uncased firearms inside the classroom. Please leave all firearms in the vehicle until the class is dismissed including all concealed carry handguns and magazines.



























