MDC holding bowhunter education classes in Rogersville and Branson

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Bowhunter education is not required by Missouri's statewide game regulations. However, Branson is one of several Missouri communities that require individuals to be bowhunter-education certified before they can archery hunt inside city limits.

To prepare people for this and other archery opportunities, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will conduct bow-hunter education courses this month in Branson and Rogersville.

On July 25, MDC will hold a bowhunter education class from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Branson Joint Emergency Training Center, 1000 Pat Nash Drive in Branson. This course is open to people age 11 (by July 25) and older. Students age 15 and younger must bring a birth certificate or other proof of age. Individuals can register for this class at register-ed.com/events/view/55509.

Also on July 25, MDC will hold a bowhunter education course from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Logan-Rogersville Fire Station near Rogersville, 3427 S. State Highway 125. The requirements for this class are the same as the Branson course. Individuals can register for this class at register-ed.com/events/view/63698.

Even though bowhunter education is not a mandatory element of Missouri's statewide archery regulations, taking a course is still a good idea for several reasons:

• A number of cities that allow archery hunting inside city limits require hunters to be bowhunter education certified to take part.
• Some owners of special corporate landholdings may require hunters to be bowhunter-education certified before they're allowed to hunt on that property.
• A number of other states require bowhunter education before hunters are allowed to apply for or take part in archery hunts in those states. (Missouri's courses satisfy these requirements.)
• The courses can provide good information for newcomers to bowhunting and can be an excellent refresher for veteran archery hunters.

More information about upcoming bowhunter education programs can be found by contacting your nearest MDC office or online at mdc.mo.gov/node/9723.