Hunting Events

Rescheduled due to rain on original date of September 16th. Registration is encouraged but not required to attend.

Atlatls are a unique and primitive hunting tool that is still used today. They are important for preserving the past culture of all people and show us a way to connect with our ancestors 15,000 years ago. Note: All equipment will be provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Please note the minimum age is 10 due to the nature of having the strength and control of throwing a dart with an atlatl. Not recommended for adults with shoulder or back injuries.

This skills session will satisfy Part Two of Missouri Hunter Education requirements. To obtain hunter education certification you must have completed Part One (online, self-study, or classroom session) and bring along your skills session qualifier certificate or student manual with the review questions completed. Parents or guardians are welcome to attend with their child and do not need to register. Participant registration required. Ages 11+. The final exam will be administered at the end of the skills session.

Please arrive a minimum of 15 minutes before the beginning of the class to complete registration; late arrivals will not be admitted so please arrive early. In the event of cancellation, you will be contacted by email and/or phone.

Note: Students who are 16+ and have completed the all-online Hunter Education course are certified and do not need to attend an in-person skills session.

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at archery but haven’t had the chance? Or 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 this new skill. We’ll discuss bow mechanics and safety before we give you the opportunity to practice your aim.

If you would like to take a comprehensive look at different types of rifles and optics, matching ammunition to your rifle, sighting in a rifle, rifling and rifle shooting techniques come to this course and learn. Participants will attend a presentation and then have an opportunity to handle different rifles and find out about hunting opportunities.

Ages 11+.

Hunting Series: Hunting Deer on MDC Conservation Areas in the Missouri Ozarks. This is the second virtual program "On the Ground Scouting & Stand Placement at MDC Conservation Areas" and will be on Monday, October 5 from 5:30-6:30 PM. MDC Wildlife Biologist Matthew Peter will take information gathered from online maps and confirm with on the ground visits and selecting best sites for stand placement based on actual deer activity. The link to join this class will be sent by 1 PM the afternoon of Oct. 5th (registration will close at 1 PM). Be sure to check your Spam or Junk box for the email. If an email is not received, please send an email to Dwight.Warnke@mdc.mo.gov to let him know.

Hunt Program Series:

Wed. 9/30 5:30-6:30 PM: Virtual Program: Deer Scouting Using Online Mapping (we hope you were able to attend)

Mon. 10/5 5:30-6:30 PM: Virtual Program: On the Ground Scouting & Stand Placement at MDC C.A.

Tues. 10/13 5:30-6:30 PM: Virtual Program: Pre Rut Deer Sign

Wed. 10/21 5:30-6:30 PM: Virtual Program: Movement Patterns of the Rut

Mon. 11/30 5:30-6:30 PM: Virtual Program: Post Rut and Winter Deer Hunting

Learn 10 basic knots that will help you during your next deer hunt. This class will cover helpful knots that can be used for hauling out a deer after being harvested, getting it loaded into your truck on your own, hanging it up for processing, as well as knots for setting up a homemade deer blind and more!

Slingshot shooting is a great outdoor activity, is a legal method to hunt small game, and is crazy fun! Our program will cover slingshot safety and the fundamentals of slingshot shooting. Dress for the weather. All equipment is provided.

Is your child curious about hunting and ready to learn the basics before firearms deer season? This program covers the best safety practices for young people and prepares them for hunting. Youth will learn the commandments of firearm safety, methods for carrying a firearm, and tree stand safety. This is not the Hunter Education course required to hunt when a youth turns 11 years of age. Note: participants must be accompanied by an adult who is also registered for the class.

Find out how to skin and process the deer you harvest this year. MDC staff will process a deer and take you from skinning, to deboning, to packaging the venison for your freezer. Staff will discuss equipment and tools used and provide answers to any questions you may have about do-it-yourself processing. All attendees must be registered for the workshop. Registration is limited to 50 participants ages 11 and older. Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a registered adult attendee