Image
Image
Is user submitted
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:
- 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.
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.
Great Places for
Media
Crawford
Huzzah Conservation Area is located in Crawford County. The area consists of 6,225 acres.
Media
Lewis
Much of the area was purchased in the 1950's through the efforts of James B.
Adair
Sugar Creek Conservation Area is in Adair County, four miles southwest of Kirksville.
Media
Shannon
The Angeline Conservation Area lies north of the Jacks Fork and west of the Current River.
Events
Registration period:
June 21 - July 20
Date:
Tuesday, July 21, 2026 8:00 am - Tuesday, July 21, 2026 10:00 am
Location:
August A Busch Shooting Range
This will be an in-person fishing program that will introduce participants to fishing, as well as some of the baits and methods that can help along your fishing adventures.
Registration period:
June 16 - July 20
Date:
Tuesday, July 21, 2026 6:00 pm - Tuesday, July 21, 2026 8:00 pm
Location:
Jay Henges Shooting Range
Are you looking to take up bowhunting this fall but are unsure of where or what to begin with? Join our staff for this new program where we will put you through “Bowhunter Bootcamp”. This is a series of programs spanning three weeks, however, participants are welcome to sign up for any of the offerings that they choose. Topics covered will include basic archery equipment and accessories, ground blind and tree stand safety, scouting, and shooting fundamentals. Participants are encouraged to bring their own equipment (bows and arrows) that they plan on hunting with to become more familiar with it.
Registration period:
May 28 - July 22
Date:
Wednesday, July 22, 2026 10:00 am - Wednesday, July 22, 2026 2:00 pm
Location:
Cape Girardeau Nature Center
Handling a firearm can feel like a barrier if you're interested in hunting but haven't tried it before. We have a safe and fun way to help ease people into those activities. Our Lasershot system is a fun and engaging way to use realistic simulated firearms and get more comfortable or build skills in shooting. Join us at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center and give our Lasershot system a try.
Registration period:
June 12 - July 22
Date:
Thursday, July 23, 2026 9:00 am - Thursday, July 23, 2026 10:30 am
Location:
Parma Woods Shooting Range
Registration period:
June 23 - July 22
Date:
Thursday, July 23, 2026 6:00 pm - Thursday, July 23, 2026 8:00 pm
Location:
Jay Henges Shooting Range
The Basics of the Modern Sporting Rifle 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. Students are encouraged to bring your own modern sporting rifle, and we can supply the ammo.
Registration period:
June 30 - July 23
Date:
Saturday, July 25, 2026 8:00 am - Saturday, July 25, 2026 9:30 am
Location:
Lake City Shooting Range
Come join us for a fun .22 Plinking class! Bring nothing but yourselves and an adventurous spirit. We’ll provide the .22 rifles and ammunition.
Date:
Saturday, July 25, 2026 9:00 am - Saturday, July 25, 2026 11:00 am
Location:
Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center
Registration required by visiting https://mostateparks.com/basic-page/learn2-aim (ages 10+) Begin your archer journey by attending a hands-on workshop this summer! Take a step back in time and join Missouri State Parks for one or more of our Learn2 Aim events This is a great opportunity to learn new skills with instruction on the basics of archery. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.
Registration period:
June 27 - July 24
Date:
Saturday, July 25, 2026 10:00 am - Saturday, July 25, 2026 1:00 pm
Location:
Parma Woods Shooting Range
Sporting Clays is a challenging, yet fun shotgun shooting game that can be best described as playing golf with a shotgun. Shooters move from station to station and shoot at clay targets presented in a dizzying array of angles. It is some of the best practice for shooting at gamebirds. Bring your shotgun and enjoy a sampler of what this game entails. Non-Toxic shot is required. We can provide any gear needed to participate; however, this program is not intended for new shotgun shooters.
Registration period:
June 25 - July 24
Date:
Saturday, July 25, 2026 10:00 am - Saturday, July 25, 2026 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.
Registration period:
June 27 - July 24
Date:
Saturday, July 25, 2026 1:30 pm - Saturday, July 25, 2026 4:30 pm
Location:
Parma Woods Shooting Range
Sporting Clays is a challenging, yet fun shotgun shooting game that can be best described as playing golf with a shotgun. Shooters move from station to station and shoot at clay targets presented in a dizzying array of angles. It is some of the best practice for shooting at gamebirds. Bring your shotgun and enjoy a sampler of what this game entails. Non-Toxic shot is required. We can provide any gear needed to participate; however, this program is not intended for new shotgun shooters.