Places To Go

Southwest Region: Andy Dalton Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center

Range and training opportunities for both new, experienced shooters and archers.

by Larry Archer

As southwest Missouri hunters begin preparing for the fall hunting seasons, it’s a safe bet that many of them will head to Andy Dalton Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center (SROEC) in Greene County, northwest of Springfield.

“Our business kind of follows whatever hunting season is getting ready to open,” said Andy Dalton SROEC Manager Mike Brooks. “For example, pretty
 much the entire month of August we’llbe real busy on the shotgun fields, people prepping for dove hunting, which opens Sept. 1. In addition to that, we’ll have a lot of folks using the archery ranges, getting ready for the archery deer opener mid-September.”

The facility, with its 100-seat classroom, also offers courses for both those just learning the shooting sports and shooters wanting to improve, Brooks said.

“We teach the basic fundamentals of shooting to people, and we teach that in the disciplines of shotgun, rifle, handgun, and archery,” he said. “We have basic level courses in all of those disciplines. We also offer some intermediate- type courses in those disciplines as well.” To find a class near you, visit mdc. mo.gov/events-s3.

Located within the Bois D’Arc Conservation Area, the range and education center offers visitors access to the trails of the conservation area to complement the center’s ¾-mile nature trail.

Andy Dalton Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center is northwest of Springfield in Greene County. From Springfield, take I-44 to U.S. Highway 160 interchange (Exit 75). Take U.S. 160 west approximately 12 miles to Farm Road 61. Turn south and go 2 ½ miles to the range entrance. From the south, take I-44 to Route T (Exit 67), go north into the town of Bois D’ Arc (approximately six miles). Take Route UU north across the railroad tracks 2 ½ miles to Farm Road 94. Go west ¾ mile on Farm Road 94 to Farm Road 61. Turn north and go ¼ mile, entrance to the range will be on the west side.

What to do When You Visit

• Bird-Watching Bois D’Arc Conservation Area, in which Andy Dalton SROEC is located, is included in the Great Missouri Birding Trail (short.mdc.mo.gov/ZxC). The eBird list of birds recorded at Bois D’Arc CA is available at short.mdc.mo.gov/Zx9.
• Hiking One 3/4-mile nature trail with wildlife viewing station.
• Shooting Rifle and pistol Targets up to 100 yards Shotgun Trap, skeet, and patterning ranges Archery Static and walkthrough ranges

What to Look for When You Visit

• Bobcat
• Red fox
• Painted bunting
• Summer tanager
• Speckled kingsnake