Events

Learn the history of maple sugaring, visit the sugar bush to see where sap is collected, and learn how to turn the sap into syrup. The entire program is outdoors, so please dress for the weather. A portion of the trail is not stroller/wheelchair accessible.

Please register each participant.

Our ancestors utilized many parts of deer they harvested. Many products such as candles, skin moisturizing heel balms, soaps, fire starters, etc. can be made from deer fat (tallow). Come learn how to convert deer fat into a soothing heel balm and candles!

At this 1.5 hr. hands-on workshop, you will bring and work with frozen deer fat from deer you or your classmates have harvested this season. We will have fat available to demonstrate techniques and you will take home a sample of heel balm, a candle, and a fire starter. A handout with recipes and directions for heel balm, body butter, candles, and fire starters will be provided.

Wear old clothes and bring a rubber apron, if you have one. A heavy trash bag can be used in place of an apron. Bring along the fat from your harvested deer to add to the melting pot in class. After harvesting and skinning your deer, remove the hard, waxy fat from the back of the deer and around the kidneys and freeze. We will not be using the soft fat from around the meat and bones for this class.

Learn the history of maple sugaring, visit the sugar bush to see where sap is collected, and learn how to turn the sap into syrup. The entire program is outdoors, so please dress for the weather. A portion of the trail is not stroller/wheelchair accessible.

Please register each participant.

Our ancestors utilized many parts of deer they harvested. Many products such as candles, skin moisturizing heel balms, soaps, fire starters, etc. can be made from deer fat (tallow). Come learn how to convert deer fat into a soothing heel balm and candles!

At this 1.5 hr. hands-on workshop, you will bring and work with frozen deer fat from deer you or your classmates have harvested this season. We will have fat available to demonstrate techniques and you will take home a sample of heel balm, a candle, and a fire starter. A handout with recipes and directions for heel balm, body butter, candles, and fire starters will be provided.

Wear old clothes and bring a rubber apron, if you have one. A heavy trash bag can be used in place of an apron. Bring along the fat from your harvested deer to add to the melting pot in class. After harvesting and skinning your deer, remove the hard, waxy fat from the back of the deer and around the kidneys and freeze. We will not be using the soft fat from around the meat and bones for this class.

Come join us to learn how to tie Crappie/Panfish jigs. All supplies are provided, free of charge.

Join Ms. Ladybug as she reads a nature story and shares activities with your child. Ages 2-6.

Come join us for some trout fishing at Veterans Park Lake in Fulton. We will be catching and keeping our fish, and fish-cleaning techniques will be demonstrated. Equipment and instruction will be provided so no experience is necessary. Meet MDC staff at the lake. All participants ages 16 and 64 must come prepared with a Missouri fishing license; each participant must have a trout permit to possess trout. Registration required. Ages 6+

Any time can be a great time to fish, soon the weather will turn warm and the Spring fishing season will be in full force. Now is the time to brush up on those fish-cleaning skills. This session will focus on cleaning scaled fish like crappie, bass, and perch. We will look at some of the common equipment needed and common methods of cleaning these fish.

VIRTUAL Program

Now that almost all of the hunting seasons have wrapped up here in Missouri you will need to store your guns till turkey season or next fall. We will touch on how to clean all 5 action types of long guns. We will also share about storing them too. Participants must register to attend. The instructor will send you the link the day of the program.

Come join us for some local trout fishing at McKay Park in Jefferson City. We will be catching and keeping our fish, and fish-cleaning techniques will be demonstrated. Equipment and instruction will be provided so no experience is necessary. Meet MDC staff at the parking lot near the play area. All participants ages 16 and 64 must come prepared with a Missouri fishing license; each participant must have a trout permit to possess trout. Registration required. Ages 6+

Let's gather around the Runge fireplace, listen to a few nature-themed stories, and conclude with a craft. No registration required. Ages 0-6.

Discover interesting facts about the brown-headed nuthatch, a bird recently reintroduced to the Missouri Ozarks. We will by painting a brown-headed nuthatch with watercolors. Presenters will guide you through this unique way of painting and will supply all materials. Registration Required. Ages 18 and up.

Discover the importance of Missouri reptiles and amphibians and see what it takes to keep our education animals happy and healthy. Bring your family and watch as we introduce and feed several different reptiles and amphibians.

With sightings of eagles on the rise in the Ozarks, Twin Pines is hosting an evening program to showcase these magnificent birds. The Dickerson Park Zoo will be bringing a Bald and Golden Eagle to give attendees an up-close look, answer questions, and provide fun facts. This program is for all ages and reservations are required. Space is limited, so register soon.

This class will help you learn the basics of predator hunting for crows. We will discuss gun safety, zones of fire, identification of birds, hunt set up, calls, and much more. When done with this class you will be able to hunt safely and enjoyably for crows. Participants who attend will be invited back to hunt on the Bois D' Arc conservation area at a later date for crows.

With literally thousands to choose from, choosing the right firearm for you can seem like a daunting task. Our range staff is often asked what gun is the best to buy. The answer generally given is, “it depends.” Join our certified firearms instructors as we take you through a systematic approach to choosing the right gun for you.

Check-In will begin at 8:30. Bring appropriate clothing for a controlled burn. Bring your certificate from completion of online course.

Eagles, hawks, falcons, and vultures captivate us with their power and grace. Discover where to find these common Missouri raptors and how to identify them. After the classroom portion of the program, we will venture to the outskirts of Jefferson City to try and catch a glimpse of these spectacular birds. Runge will provide round-trip transportation and binoculars (or feel free to bring your own). Be sure to dress for the weather. Registration required. Ages 13+

Bears are waking from their winter slumber. Become bear aware and learn more about Missouri’s black bears and how our actions can prevent bears from becoming a nuisance. After our presentation, each person will be able to make their own bear shaped paint pour to take home. Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Get a taste of tradition and learn some camp cooking the old fashioned way.

This event is for all who want to know more about cooking with Dutch Ovens; those cast iron black pots that make food taste so delicious!

Learn the basics of Dutch Oven cooking and sample your way to a newfound interest in traditional camp cooking.

Whether you are a "seasoned" expert or are thinking about getting started, this event is for you.

Nesting season comes early for owls and they’re already hooting in anticipation. Join us to learn about the five senses of owls and take a short walk or prowl to listen for Missouri owls.

Did you know the Mississippi River hosts one of North America’s largest concentrations of bald eagles? They are drawn to areas of open water in search of fish, their preferred food. The colder the weather, the better the chances of seeing them fish, ride ice floes, soar overhead and roost in nearby trees! Eagle lovers of all ages are invited to the Audubon Center at Riverlands in West Alton on February 11, 2023. Visitors are welcome to view eagles through spotting scopes staffed by trained volunteers, as well as attend a live Bald Eagle program presented by the World Bird Sanctuary.

Due to limited space, registration is required for this event. Please individually register every person planning to attend.

For more information visit Eagle Days - Great Rivers Greenway. https://greatriversgreenway.org/eagledays/

Who’s shiny and black with yellow spots? Spotted salamanders! Crawl on in to learn all about spotted salamanders and why they are on the move this time of year. Babes in the Woods programs are designed to empower parents to introduce babies and toddlers ages 0-2 years to the sights, sounds, and textures of nature.

Registration required (ages 8+) Winter is full of wonder and processing tree sap into syrup is one of those wonders. This program will cover the basics of tree selection, collection and processing to turn that watery sap into delicious syrup. A portion of this program will be outdoors so dress for the weather and be ready to get sappy. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor after registering and at least one week prior to the program.

Animal tracks tell a story about where an animal has been and where it is going. How do you know what animal made which footprint? Join us as we put on our detective caps and create notebooks to learn about different animal tracks.