MDC offers women’s basic handgun workshops near Hartsburg

Preregister today to attend this free program on Dec. 13.

HARTSBURG, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites women to attend a free workshop near Hartsburg on the basics of handguns and shooting.

The class will take place 6–8 p.m. on Dec. 13 at Ammo Alley, LLC, 11562 Callaway County Road 395, south and east of the Highway 63 bridge over Cedar Creek.

Women will learn handgun parts and operation, ammunition, handgun safety, and shooting fundamentals. Participants will receive classroom training and one-on-one shooting instruction in a climate-controlled indoor shooting range.

MDC offers this workshop and classroom instruction free of charge.  However, Ammo Alley requires a $10 range fee from each participant, to be paid directly to Ammo Alley.

MDC will provide handguns and ammunition. Participants are welcome to bring their own, unloaded, cased handguns to the class, but will be required to provide their own new, factory ammunition (no reloads).

Women ages 14 years and older are invited to register for this workshop, however, participants younger than 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who also registers for the workshop.

“Women are the fastest-growing group of gun owners in the U.S.,” said MDC Outdoor Skills Specialist Justin McGuire. “This workshop is designed to help women become more comfortable with handguns and improve their shooting abilities.”

Space is limited to the first 16 registrants. Register for this workshop by visiting mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/163184.

For more information, contact McGuire at 573-815-7901, ext. 2866, or Justin.McGuire@mdc.mo.gov

MDC invites youth to dove clinic and hunt at Prairie Fork Conservation Area Sept. 2-3

Participants will learn the basics of dove hunting, firearms safety, and shooting skills. 

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will partner with the National Wild Turkey Federation to introduce youth to dove hunting basics at a free clinic and hunt on opening weekend of the 2016 dove season. 

The event, for kids ages 8-15, will begin at Prairie Fork Conservation Area with a dove clinic on Friday, Sept. 2, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., followed by a mentored hunt on Saturday, Sept. 3. At the clinic, youth will learn the basics of dove hunting, firearms safety, and shooting skills. Participants must attend the clinic in order to participate in the Saturday hunt. 

Participants must have completed hunter education certification prior to the event and should bring a properly licensed adult mentor. If a mentor is not available, one will be provided.  

“This is one of my favorite yearly activities that MDC provides for youth hunters,” said MDC Wildlife Biologist Nicky Walker. “Youth hunters will see several birds working our managed dove fields, learn proper bird identification, and hunting ethics in the field. Overall, it is an excellent opportunity for us to help Missourians explore nature and master outdoor skills together.”

Limited space is available, and participants need to register by Aug. 26. To register, or to learn more about this event, contact Walker at (573) 254-3330 orNicole.Walker@mdc.mo.gov. For more information about other upcoming events, go tomdc.mo.gov/events. 

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MDC hosts Hunter Education Skills Session at Perryville Elks Lodge

Register online for the July 29 course.

PERRYVILLE, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will host a Hunter Education Skills Session at the Perryville Elks Lodge, Friday, July 29, from 6 to 10 p.m.

Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1967 is required to have an approved hunter education card. The card is also required when purchasing any firearms hunting permit. Hunter education courses are for students 11 years of age and older.

“Hunter education courses are a great way to introduce prospective hunters or even refresh veteran hunters about shooting and hunting techniques, ethics, firearm safety and more,” said Dee Dee Dockins, a MDC outdoor skills specialist.

Dockins said the hunter education process underwent changes in 2013, making it more convenient for students to attend. The course consists of two parts; a knowledge portion and a skills session.

The knowledge portion focuses on hunting equipment, safety, and ethics, and can be completed in one of three different ways. Students can complete the section online, pick up a student manual at a MDC office, or register and attend for a four-hour instructor led classroom session.

The July 29 skills session is the second step in the process. These four-hour sessions are led by instructors with hands-on exercises designed to put the students’ knowledge into practice. After the skills session, students take a 35-question multiple choice exam.

Those who wish to attend the skills session must complete the first step of the process and register for the course at www.mdc.mo.gov. For more information, contact MDC’s Southeast Regional Office at (573)290-5730.

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