Hunting Events

This is a free workshop that will help target shooters as well as migratory and upland bird hunters improve their hunting skills. Topics include: how to select the best ammunition and choke combination for hunting, how to improve your shooting skills, how to improve your range & distance estimation skills, and how to properly pattern your shotgun.

Participants should bring their hunting shotgun & choke tubes if applicable, non-toxic shotgun ammunition they wish to pattern, eye/ear protection, and a stool or chair. Clay targets, 12 & 20-gauge practice ammunition will be provided.

Join us to learn the most effective methods for dove hunting. We will discuss the biology of the bird and then teach you how to shoot using the Effective Wing Shooting for the Hunter techniques. We will discuss using decoys and how to use concealment to your benefit. Please leave all firearms in the vehicle until the class is dismissed to shoot. This includes concealed carry handguns and magazines. Make sure your firearm is completely unloaded before you arrive at the range.

This virtual clinic will include information on the following topics to better prepare hunters for dove season:

-Dove biology

-What to do before the hunt:

*Hunting regulations

*Permits

*Finding a place to hunt

*Gear and firearms

-What to do during the hunt:

*Safety

*Hunting strategy

-What to do after the hunt:

*After a successful hunt

*How to clean a dove

*Cooking and eating

You must register with a valid email, as the virtual link will be sent by 11am on the day of the program to that email. This clinic is open to anyone interested in learning about dove hunting. It is required for those drawn for the Youth Dove Hunt being held at the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area. To register for the youth dove hunt, go to https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZHv.

Deer Calling Tactics by Keith Wahlig

August 26, 6pm – 8pm

Getting within rifle or bow range of a buck is always challenging but learning to use deer calls boosts your odds of filling your tag this season.

Calls offer several ways to communicate with deer, but their effectiveness varies by the situation. You’ll become a more effective hunter by adding the following calls to your pack, and learning how and when to use each of them

Hunting doves is a great way to spend time in nature. Actually bagging a few doves is the challenging part. This 3-evening clinic is designed to work through some of the common barriers to dove hunting success. There will be a fair amount of shooting in this workshop so feel free to bring your own shotgun or use ours.

This hunt is to provide an opportunity for mobility impaired participants to hunt at Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area on opening day of Dove Season. This is a cooperative hunt with the Missouri Department of Conservation and the National Wild Turkey Federation.

To be eligible for the hunt you must be at least 11 years of age and have a permanent physical condition that severely impairs your mobility, such as paralysis or amputation of lower extremities which requires assistance of a wheelchair, braces, crutches, or similar aids of mobility.

If you do not have someone to assist you on this hunt, or if you need assistance during the hunt, please contact Sara Bradshaw at sara.bradshaw@mdc.mo.gov to get that arranged.

For the dove hunt, you will need to wear camouflage clothing and a camouflage hat. You will need to bring a shotgun and steel shot ammunition as well.

Participants will need to have their Hunter Education Certificate, Small Game Hunting Permit, and Migratory Bird Hunting Permit.

Participants will meet at Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area Headquarters Building by 5:00am on Wednesday September 1st. Lunch will be provided by the National Wild Turkey Federation at the conclusion of the hunt.

In this class, we will discuss rifle/ammo selection, dressing for the hunt, methods of hunting, scouting, animal identification, sighting in your rifle, and more. This is not a shooting class.

Scouting and a little "woodsman" knowledge are important for a great outdoor experience and harvest. This program will be beneficial to novice hunters interested in deer habits and scouting, deer stand placement and we will have a virtual look at acorns and browse plots.

Women’s Managed Deer Hunt, Shaw Nature Reserve

Hunting Date October 9

Hunt # 97

Apply for the hunt, July 1 – 31

Go to mdc.mo.gov/managed hunt to apply

Email Kurt Otterstein at kurt.otterstein@mdc.mo.gov if you have any questions.

Managed Deer Hunt Jay Henges Shooting Range Restricted Portion (Forest 44)

Hunting Dates October 18&19

Hunt #70

Apply for the hunt, July 1 – 31

Go to mdc.mo.gov/managed hunt to apply Contact Terry Bertholomey at terry.bertholomey@mdc.mo.gov

First Time Deer Hunters, Firearm

October 23 & 24

Hunt # 98

1 deer of either sex

Hunter must attend pre-hunt orientation, those who do not attend, are disqualified.

Only first-time deer hunters, 18 years of age or older, who have never harvested a deer are eligible.

Hunters who require an assistant must provide one.

Mandatory Pre-Hunt Orientation – Tuesday, September 21, 6pm – 8pm, Jay Henges Shooting Range, Education Center

Contact Kurt Otterstein at kurt.otterstein@mdc.mo.gov for questions

This hunt is designed for hunters who have archery hunted for deer in the past, but have been unsuccessful. To be eligible for this hunt you must not have previously filled an Archery Deer Permit .Beginning hunters are also welcome to apply. We can work with you help you gain the knowledge and experience you need. For more information contact Mark Miller. Email- mark.miller@mdc.mo.gov Phone 660-530-5500 This is the hunt listed on the MDC Managed Hunts page.

First Time Archery Deer Hunters

December 4 & 5 and December 11 & 12

Hunt # 22

1 deer of either sex

Hunter must attend pre-hunt orientation, those who do not attend, are disqualified.

Only first-time deer hunters, 18 years of age or older, who have never harvested a deer by archery method are eligible.

Hunters who require an assistant must provide one.

Mandatory Pre-Hunt Orientation – Tuesday, September 21, 6pm – 8pm, Jay Henges Shooting Range, Education Center

Contact Kurt Otterstein at kurt.otterstein@mdc.mo.gov for questions