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
Archery is a lifetime sport that can be enjoyed while taking in the great outdoors. ?This program will introduce the fundamentals for safely and successfully shooting a compound bow and will include lots of hands-on practice. Let us be your guides to exploring a new outdoor skill.
This event is for those who want to experience the sport of archery in a structured, supportive environment. All equipment will be provided but please dress for the weather as we will be outdoors.
Ages 9 and up, participants 9-15 must be accompanied by an adult.????
Come to Columbia Bottom Conservation Area and put your basic archery skills to the test! We will learn about archery and archery range safety, how to use a compound bow, and test out our new skills! Following NASP requirements, all participants must be ages 9 and up.
Please note that this program will take place outside, so please dress accordingly, and bring a water bottle and sunscreen.This is a chance for Young Adults to safely practice loading, unloading, aiming, and using deferent handgun calibers. We will provide .22, 38, and 9mm ammunition as well as the firearms and safety equipment. All you have to do is register and show up!
Come learn a new skill with us this summer!