Shooting

Image
Image
A man looks through a sight on his rifle at a shooting range.
Right to Use
body

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.

Body

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:

  1. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
  2. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
  3. Keep the safety on until you are ready to shoot.
  4. Be 100 percent certain of your target and what is beyond it before you shoot.
Body

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.

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.

Find an MDC shooting range near you.

Great Places for

Media
A rocky, tree-lined shallow stream with clear water
Dallas
Lead Mine Conservation Area is located in northeastern Dallas County, 40 miles south of Lake of
Media
Orange sunlight and clouds reflect off the surface of a pond.
Bollinger
Stoddard
Wayne
Duck Creek Conservation Area is located nine miles north of Puxico on Highway 51 in Stoddard, B

Events

Find events near you.
Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2026 5:00 pm - Tuesday, April 28, 2026 7:00 pm
Location: Cape Girardeau Nature Center
Have you ever wanted to try your hand at archery but haven’t had the chance? Maybe you tried it out as a kid at summer camp but haven’t picked up a bow since. Here’s your chance to learn the basics of shooting a compound bow alongside other beginners interested in learning this new skill. We’ll discuss bow mechanics and safety before we give you the opportunity to practice your aim.
Registration period: April 1 - April 30
Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026 5:30 pm - Thursday, April 30, 2026 7:30 pm
Location: Runge Conservation Nature Center
Discover the basics of crossbow shooting in a relaxed setting designed especially for women. The instructor will guide you through proper form, handling, and technique, giving you the confidence to try something new in a safe setting. We’ll meet at the Runge outdoor pavilion before heading to the range for hands-on practice. Dress for the weather, wear closed-toed shoes and get ready for an empowering experience in the fresh air. Registration required. Ages 16+
Registration period: March 31 - April 30
Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026 6:00 pm - Thursday, April 30, 2026 10:00 pm
Location: Dysart Memorial Shooting Complex
Registration period: April 1 - April 28
Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026 6:00 pm - Thursday, April 30, 2026 8:30 pm
Location: Lake City Shooting Range
There’s a lot more to making a bullet than most people realize! This class covers the basics and history of bullet casting. We’ll discuss the materials needed, provide all equipment and PPE, and demonstrate the bullet-casting process. LONG SLEEVES ARE REQUIRED BY ALL PARTICIPANTS. ANYONE UNDER 16 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT.
Registration period: November 10 - May 1
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026 8:30 am - Saturday, May 2, 2026 11:00 am
Location: Andy Dalton Shooting Range

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.

Registration period: January 1 - May 1
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026 9:00 am - Saturday, May 2, 2026 1:00 pm
Location: Parma Woods Shooting Range
Registration period: March 13 - May 3
Date: Monday, May 4, 2026 5:00 pm - Monday, May 4, 2026 7:00 pm
Location: August A Busch Shooting Range
This will be a Virtual Program that will introduce participants to Bass fishing, as well as some of the baits and methods that can help along your fishing adventures.
Registration period: April 1 - May 3
Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 6:00 pm - Tuesday, May 5, 2026 8:00 pm
Location: Lake City Shooting Range

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.
Registration period: November 10 - May 8
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026 8:30 am - Saturday, May 9, 2026 11:00 am
Location: Andy Dalton Shooting Range

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.

Registration period: April 1 - May 7
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026 9:00 am - Saturday, May 9, 2026 1:00 pm
Location: Lake City Shooting Range
Have you ever touched the fur of a wolf or identified a bobcat by its skull? Michael Mansell with Outdoor Skills of America, Inc. can help with that. He will be guide you as you explore the animals of North America. Come and learn how to identify animal hides and skulls.