Shooting

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A man looks through a sight on his rifle at a shooting range.
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Whether you’re honing your skills for hunting or testing your prowess for the fun of it, the sport of shooting is directly tied to conservation. The Missouri Department of Conservation has shooters covered with resources for all different skill levels.

Looking for a shooting range? Find an MDC shooting range near you.

New to shooting and looking for instruction? Find educational opportunities through MDC.

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Guidelines for Shooting at MDC Shooting Ranges

Tips To Be Safe and Courteous at a Shooting Range:

  • Wear eye and ear protection when using firearms or when you are near others who are using firearms.
  • Only use paper targets; attach the targets to the provided target stands.
  • Remove your own litter, including used targets and empty hulls.
  • Don’t shoot or handle a firearm when anyone is downrange of the shooting line.

Four Fundamental Rules of Firearm Safety. Always:

  1. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
  2. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
  3. Keep the safety on until you are ready to shoot.
  4. Be 100 percent certain of your target and what is beyond it before you shoot.
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Types of MDC Shooting Ranges

Unstaffed Shooting Ranges

Unstaffed ranges on MDC areas offer opportunities for shooters to practice their shooting skills at their own pace. No fee required.

Staffed Shooting Ranges and Outdoor Education Centers

Staffed shooting ranges and outdoor education centers help you become a sharper, safer hunter or outdoors person regardless of your experience or skill level. Our staff of specialists and trained volunteers can help you or your group master firearms and archery. The centers also host educational public programming on many other outdoor skills.

Fees and reservations at staffed MDC shooting ranges

Rifle/pistol range use is $5 per hour. Shotgun sports, where available, are $5 per round. All fees are payable only by cash or check.

Staffed shooting range and outdoor education centers are available for group use by purchasing a special use permit for $20 per hour. For details about reservations and using the centers, call the center.

Find an MDC shooting range near you.

Great Places for

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Tree-lined shore at Poosey CA
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Livingston
Poosey Conservation Area is in northwest Livingston County, six miles southeast of Jamesport, n

Events

Find events near you.
Registration period: June 17 - July 28
Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026 1:00 pm - Saturday, August 1, 2026 4:00 pm
Location: Jay Henges Shooting Range

This skills session will satisfy part two of Missouri Hunter Education requirements. To obtain hunter education certification you must also attend part one (online, self-study, or a classroom session) and bring along your skills session qualifier certificate or a student manual with the review questions completed.

STUDENTS 15 AND UNDER MUST ALSO BRING A COPY OF THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATE OR OTHER PROOF OF AGE.

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 a cancellation, you will be contacted by email and/or phone. Note: Students who are 16 and over and have completed the all-online Hunter Education course are certified and do not need to attend an in-person skills session.

Registration period: May 4 - August 2
Date: Sunday, August 2, 2026 4:00 pm - Sunday, August 2, 2026 6:00 pm
Location: Andy Dalton Shooting Range

Parents, grandparents, and adult mentors bring your youngster(s) to learn a new skill and spend time practicing. You don’t have to be a hunter to become a skilled archer. No experience is necessary and archery equipment will be provided We will teach and practice the basics and help you perfect your stance to shoot more consistently and accurately.

Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2026 5:30 pm - Tuesday, August 4, 2026 7:30 pm
Location: Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center
Registration required by visiting https://mostateparks.com/basic-page/learn2-aim (ages 10+) Begin your archer journey by attending a hands-on workshop this summer! Take a step back in time and join Missouri State Parks for one or more of our Learn2 Aim events This is a great opportunity to learn new skills with instruction on the basics of archery. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.
Registration period: June 16 - August 3
Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2026 6:00 pm - Tuesday, August 4, 2026 8:00 pm
Location: Jay Henges Shooting Range
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.
Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2026 6:30 pm - Wednesday, August 5, 2026 8:00 pm
Location: Kittie Robertson Soccer Field

Learn the basics of shooting the bow and arrow utilizing some of the techniques and methods that have been adopted by the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). This program will teach the fundamentals of archery including equipment, safety, stance, and shooting techniques This family event is for all ages with the desire to shoot a bow and arrow but have little or no experience. Parents / guardians may need to assist their youth in drawing the bow string since the minimum draw is 8 lbs. Note: All equipment will be provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Not recommended for adults with shoulder or back injuries.

Registration is not required, since this is come-and-go event for the public. Individuals will rotate in 5 persons at a time for two rounds of shooting before getting back in waiting line.
Registration period: July 1 - August 6
Date: Friday, August 7, 2026 9:00 am - Friday, August 7, 2026 11:00 am
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center

Archery is a lifetime sport that can be enjoyed while taking in the great outdoors. This program will introduce the fundamentals for safely and successfully shooting a compound bow and will include lots of hands-on practice. Let Missouri Department of Conservation be your guide to exploring a new outdoor skill.

Following NASP requirements, all participants must be ages 9 and up. The equipment that is used is designed for ages 9 and up to be able to safely handle, nock and arrow, and shoot the bow. Participants aged 9 - 15 must be accompanied by an adult. No children under the age of 9 will be permitted on the archery range.

This event is for those who want to experience the sport of archery in a structured, supportive environment. All equipment will be provided, please do not bring your own equipment. Close toed shoes are required and dress for the weather as we will be outdoors. *NOTE: Please ensure you register all individuals in your group, including children. Individuals who arrive unregistered will not be able to participate.
Registration period: July 1 - August 6
Date: Friday, August 7, 2026 11:30 am - Friday, August 7, 2026 1:30 pm
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center

Archery is a lifetime sport that can be enjoyed while taking in the great outdoors. This program will introduce the fundamentals for safely and successfully shooting a compound bow and will include lots of hands-on practice. Let Missouri Department of Conservation be your guide to exploring a new outdoor skill.

This program is designed specifically for participants within the designated age range. To ensure activities are developmentally appropriate, safe, and enjoyable for all participants, only participants who fall within the stated age range may attend. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a positive and age-appropriate environment for everyone involved.

This event is for those who want to experience the sport of archery in a structured, supportive environment. All equipment will be provided, please do not bring your own equipment. Close toed shoes are required and dress for the weather as we will be outdoors. *NOTE: If you're registering a group of people, ensure all individuals register for the program. If individuals arrive to the program unregistered, they will not be allowed to participate in the program.
Registration period: July 15 - August 7
Date: Friday, August 7, 2026 5:30 pm - Friday, August 7, 2026 7:30 pm
Location: Runge Conservation Nature Center
Pellet rifles are an easy and comfortable way to introduce handling firearms safely, while also having fun! This program is hands-on with one-on-one instruction. All equipment, including safety equipment, will be provided. Meet at the Runge outdoor pavilion before heading to the outdoor range. Bring a water bottle and dress for the weather in closed-toed shoes. Participants should be prepared to stand or bring a camp chair, as there is no seating at the range.
Registration period: July 8 - August 7
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026 8:00 am - Saturday, August 8, 2026 9:30 am
Location: Jay Henges Shooting Range
Join us for a great opportunity to experience the joys of shooting rimfire firearms. Youth or those who have never had experience shooting .22 rifles are invited to participate in an instructor led, live fire session learning safety and proper techniques of marksmanship. Firearms, ammunition, and safety equipment will be provided.
Registration period: May 10 - August 7
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026 9:00 am - Saturday, August 8, 2026 12:00 pm
Location: Andy Dalton Shooting Range

You have learned the basics of shooting a shotgun, now what? This class will show you the games of Trap, Skeet, and 5-Stand Sporting Clays, all of which are known as Shotgun Shooting Sports. Each game has it own unique traits that make them enjoyable. We will talk about how to mount the gun, hold points, the flight of the birds, break points, forward allowance, plus various other mechanics. We will provide 20-gauge shotguns and ammunition for those who do not have one. If you plan to use your own, bring a minimum of 50 rounds of new ammunition for your firearm. Make sure all firearms are unloaded before arriving at the range. There should be no live ammunition, or uncased firearms inside the classroom. Please leave all firearms in the vehicle until the class is dismissed including all concealed carry handguns and magazines.