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.
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.
Fees and reservations at staffed MDC shooting ranges
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.
Date:
Thursday, April 25, 2024 6:00 pm - Thursday, April 25, 2024 8:00 pm
Location:
Jay Henges Shooting Range
The Basics of the Modern Sporting Rifle (AR type) course is designed to provide beginners a hands-on introduction to the safe handling and proper orientation to modern sporting rifle shooting. This course includes classroom and range time. Students will learn rules for safe gun handling at home, in the field and on the range; rifle actions, parts and operation, ammunition, shooting fundamentals, cleaning the rifle, and continued opportunities for developing rifle skills. Student, please bring your own modern rifle. We will supply the ammo.
Date:
Saturday, April 27, 2024 8:00 am - Saturday, April 27, 2024 9:30 am
Location:
Lake City Shooting Range
Shooting a muzzleloader is an entirely different and fun way of shooting. Whether you want to extend your hunting season, shoot a muzzleloader shotgun or just get into the older way of shooting, this class is for you. In the class, we will discuss the different types of muzzleloaders, ammunition, equipment, and so much more. Come join the fun and learn how to get started in this interesting way of shooting.
Date:
Saturday, April 27, 2024 10:00 am - Saturday, April 27, 2024 12:00 pm
Location:
August A Busch Shooting Range
This program will teach the fundamentals of archery including equipment, safety, stance, and shooting techniques. This event will take place on the static archery range. All equipment will be provided.
Date:
Monday, April 29, 2024 5:00 pm - Monday, April 29, 2024 7:30 pm
Location:
August A Busch Shooting Range
Would you like to learn how to cook outdoors using a dutch oven? The program will cover how to get started using a Dutch Oven including equipment and techniques, and you will be able to sample a couple of recipes.
Date:
Monday, April 29, 2024 6:00 pm - Monday, April 29, 2024 8:00 pm
Location:
Rocky Fork Lakes Conservation Area
Basic Handgun Workshop. Participants will learn handgun parts and operation, ammunition, handgun safety, and shooting fundamentals. Participants will receive one-on-one shooting instruction. This workshop and instruction is offered free of charge. Handguns and ammunition will be provided by MDC. Participants are welcome to bring their own unloaded, cased handguns but will be required to provide their own new factory ammunition (no reloads). This workshop is open to participants 18 and over. Teenagers age 14 to 17 may attend with a parent or guardian who is also registered for the workshop.
Date:
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 7:30 pm - Wednesday, May 1, 2024 9:30 pm
Location:
Jay Henges Shooting Range
Are you a trap shooter looking to spice up your game in a new and exciting way? Join us for our glow clays program where we put a new spin on this classic game. Think “Cosmic Bowling”, for trap . We have introduced UV light to the trap field at night. This causes the factory paint on the clay pigeons to fluoresce or “Glow” in the dark as they are thrown from the trap house, making a unique glowing target.
Minimum age 16 and you must be familiar with and experienced in classic trap and safe firearms handling. Additional Range safety officers will be available if assistance is needed.