Hunting

Don’t know where to hunt? Or maybe you just don’t know where to look. Come learn about opportunities that may have been under your radar. This information table will give you the know-how to register for Missouri managed hunts. There are hunts designated for youth, people with disabilities, specific species and seasons and more. During the month of July only, you are able to sign up for hunts on areas including Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area, Blue Springs Lake, Watkins Mill and many more!

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.

Getting started in deer hunting, Want to learn how to find the deer? This will be the program for you. It will teach how to find game trails, feeding areas, and bedding areas to help you locate good positions to set up for your hunt.

For this program you will need your own shotgun and ammunition. We will set some common shots one might encounter while dove hunting on our five stand field to help hunters "knock the rust off" before going into the field on opening day!

MDC Staff will open the Deer Ridge Trap house for anyone to practice their shotgun shooting skills. Prior shotgun shooting experience a must, this opportunity is for people looking to practice their shooting ability, whether for trap shooting or to get ready for upcoming hunting seasons.

Participants must: bring their own shotgun, ammo, eye and ear protection, and register online.

MDC will provide one round of 25 clay targets per person registered.

11 -17-year-olds are REQUIRED to have an adult with them throughout their time on the range.

Deer season is right around the corner, and it's time to start thinking about food plots for the fall season. Join us for an open Q&A session from Chris Grellner and the rest of the team at Valley Park Elevator to cover any questions you might have about putting in your food plots to hunt this fall.

NOTE: This will be a Open Q&A, NOT a formal presentation. Come prepared to ask questions that you are wanting to have answered. This helps the Valley Park Elevator team answer specific questions that pertain to you, but also gives the chance to learn from other participants' questions.

Step into saddle hunting with a beginner-friendly, engaging course led Western Missouri Saddle Hunters. Get familiar with selecting the right gear, learn essential rope-assisted climbing skills, and discover how to ascend safely and stay comfortable while hunting from nearly any tree. Along the way, we’ll share real-world climbing techniques, effective scouting advice, and tree selection techniques to help you feel more capable in the field.

If you’re looking to stay mobile, reduce noise, and take your hunting approach to the next level, this class is a great fit. Feel free to bring your own equipment for hands-on practice. Participants must wear long pants and closed-toe shoes with good traction. Youth ages 14–17 are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult participant.

Join us to learn how to use the atlatl. This traditional hunting method is making a comeback! Whether you're looking for a fun activity to do with family/friends or are hoping to learn an alternative hunting method, this is a great activity to get outdoors.

This basic program includes an introduction to wingshooting fundamentals, distance estimation, non-toxic shotshell ammunition selection for hunting, and shotgun patterning. The main goal is to help migratory bird, upland bird, and all other small game shotgun hunters improve their hunting skills with non-toxic shot.

The Missouri Department of Conservation has a regulation that now requires hunters at certain conservation areas to use non-toxic shotshells while hunting for waterfowl, doves, and various other game species. This class is designed to help hunters become more efficient and ethical harvesters of all game, especially waterfowl while using nontoxic ammunition. Instructors will teach participants how to choose the correct choke, load, and shot size for different game, how to estimate shooting distances, and how to effectively lead their target. For more information on the nontoxic shot regulation, you can visit https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/regulations/nontoxic-shot-regulations