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Kansas City, Mo. – A variety of outdoor skills programs will be offered during April by the staff at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Parma Woods Shooting Range near Parkville. While the range has a focus on firearm safety and skills, the staff also covers other outdoor interest such as fishing. All programs are free, and beginners are welcome.
Registration is required for these classes. COVID-19 safety precautions will be observed.
- An Introduction to Fly Fishing class will be offered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 8, at the Platte Falls Conservation Area near Platte City. Instructors will teach about equipment, lures, and basic fly-casting skills with flyrod and line. The class will start at a shelter house for demonstrations and casting practice. There will be a lunch break and participants need to bring their own food and drink. Then the class will move to a nearby pond for actual fishing with instructor help. Space is limited. Anglers ages 16-64 must have a valid fishing permit. The fishing is catch and release. Participants must be ages 8 and older. To register, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4QS.
- An Introduction to the Shooting Sports class from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, will introduce participants to the various competitive games featuring precision accuracy. Body coordination and control, sometimes with quietness and sometimes with movement, are involved with rifle, pistol, and shotgun competitions. For example, benchrest target shooting with rifles involves quiet control. But trap and skeet shooting with shotguns involves the ability to swing a gun with eyes and hands holding to the target. This classroom session will provide an overview of all the shooting sport types and where to compete in the Kansas City area. The event is open to all ages. To register, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4QT.
- A Handgun Basics class will be offered in two sessions, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26. This class will teach about handgun safety, operation, shooting fundamentals, maintenance, and safe storage. MDC will provide handguns and ammunition for live fire target shooting on the range, or participants may bring their own. This class is open to participants ages 21 and older. To register, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4Qq.
- A BB Gun Fun class will introduce participants to basic shooting skills and safe usage and storage of BB guns from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 22. MDC will provide equipment or participants can bring their own. A good class for current BB gun owners or those considering the purchase of one for themselves or someone else. To register, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4Qc.
For more information about MDC’s Parma Woods Shooting Range and Training Center, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZHM.
