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
Learn the basics of hunting the whitetail deer. We will cover scouting, setup, taking the shot and much more.
Come join us for a relaxing evening of archery. This program is for new archers or those wishing to improve their skills.
We will learn the steps to making a great archery shot, shoot bullseye and 3D targets, and even win some prizes for archery games!
We have bows appropriate for all users!
Title: Introduction to Hunting Woodcock in the Ozarks
Where: Ozark Research Field Station Missouri S&T
Address: 16300 County Road 7550 Newburg, MO 65550
Time: Sunday, October 18th: 4:30 to 6:30 PM
Agenda:
- Classroom - Woodcock Biology
- Basic needs to woodcock hunt (permits, gear, etc)
- E-scouting
- Introduction to Bird Dogs
- Field – walk along Mill Creek on Bohigian CA
Wear appropriate outwear and boots (rain or shine) for field walk. Any questions should be addressed to program presenter Nick Girondo at: Nick.Girondo@mdc.mo.gov
Learn the basics of shooting the bow and arrow utilizing some of the techniques and methods that have been adopted by the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). This program will teach the fundamentals of archery including equipment, safety, stance, and shooting techniques This family event is for all ages with the desire to shoot a bow and arrow but have little or no experience. Parents / guardians may need to assist their youth in drawing the bow string since the minimum draw is 8 lbs. Note: All equipment will be provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Not recommended for adults with shoulder or back injuries.
Registration is not required, since this is come-and-go event for the public. Individuals will rotate in 10 persons at a time for two rounds of shooting.