Hunting Events

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

Bow Hunting: This course is designed to help you prepare yourself with a session on bow hunting gear, proper clothing, stands, calls, and techniques to improve your chances of success. We will discuss best bow hunting practices, safety and how bow hunting differs from hunting deer with a rifle. This is a beginner's program. The link to join this class will be sent the morning of the class. Be sure to check your Spam or Junk box for the email. If an email is not received, please send an email to the instructor to let them know.

Hunting Dog Basics

Do you love hunting and dogs and want to combine your passions out in the field? Are you considering purchasing a hunting dog or have a young dog you’re struggling to train? If your answer to any of these questions is “yes” then this workshop is for you! MDC is partnering with local hunting dog professionals / trainers to teach the basics of hunting dogs.

Topics included:

- Breed selection

- Basic obedience and training

- Flushing Dogs

- Pointing Dogs

- Retriever Dogs

The workshop will start out in the field (mowed and maintained) with an opportunity to visit with 3 local professional hunting dog trainers. We will have a short program inside the classroom and return to the field and water for additional demonstrations and training strategies. The workshop is designed to be informal, allowing participants to ask questions and learn from some experts. If you have a young dog that is current on all their vaccinations, please feel free to bring them or if you just want to observe and learn, all are welcome. Come spend the morning with some great people and some of our great four-legged friends! If you have any additional questions or need assistance registering, please contact:

Lyle Whittaker (417)895-6880 ext. 1644

Lyle.whittaker@mdc.mo.gov