The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Mark Twain Lake, in partnership with the Missouri Hunting Heritage Foundation, Mark Twain Lake Forest Council, Missouri Disabled Sportsmen, and the Missouri Department of Conservation will host the 2026 Youth Deer Hunt Special Event at Mark Twain Lake. This opportunity will give 10 Missouri residents an introduction to deer hunting and promote the value of public land experiences.
The Mark Twain Lake Youth Deer Hunt is designed for Missouri youth, between the ages of 8 and 15, that have little to no experience deer hunting. Hunters will be accompanied by a mentor for the event (provided). Additionally, all participating youth hunters must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian during the special event.
Friday, October 23, 2026, participants will meet at David C. Berti Shooting Range for brief introductions and practice sighting in rifles. Hunting will take place all day Saturday and Sunday morning at Indian Creek Recreation Area.
All hunters must comply with the 2026 Missouri Department of Conservation hunting regulations. Mentor or accompanying parent or guardian serving as a mentor must possess a valid hunter education certification. Youth hunters must possess a valid Missouri deer hunting permit. To ensure a safe hunting experience, special event rules will be in effect throughout the two-day hunt and will be outlined for participants prior to the hunt. Rifles and ammunition will be available for use by the participants. If bringing your own firearm, it is recommended to limit the size of the rifle to .243 caliber. Firearms must be traditional rifles. No AR platform rifles will be permitted.