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Target Shooting

Conservation Department ranges

An MDC range is usually the simplest place to target shoot. It is built for this, posted with rules, and easier to plan from the official range page.

MDC runs shooting ranges all over Missouri, and for most people this is the best place to shoot. There are five Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Centers, plus additional staffed and unstaffed ranges — check the current MDC roster for what's near you.

The five Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Centers

Staffed centers, plus other ranges on the roster

  • Andy Dalton

    Greene County, near Springfield

  • August A. Busch

    St. Charles County, near St. Louis

  • Jay Henges

    St. Louis County

  • Lake City

    Jackson County, east of Kansas City

  • Parma Woods

    Platte County, north of Kansas City

The centers are open year-round with covered rifle and pistol booths, shotgun (trap and skeet) where available, archery, and training rooms; eye and ear protection is provided or available — check the range page. Targets and holders are provided.

What it costs

Archery fees and amenities vary by center. Cash or check. Last check-in is 30 minutes before closing.

Unstaffed ranges

There are also several dozen unstaffed ranges on conservation areas — no fee, shoot at your own pace, open about a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset. No one is on site, so you follow the posted rules.

MDC ranges are heavily used across the state, year-round.

When you get to the range

The range rules

  • Eye and ear protection required.
  • Paper targets on the provided holders only (clay only on shotgun and shotshell ranges).
  • No steel-jacketed, steel-core, or armor-piercing bullets, and no tracer or incendiary ammunition.
  • All calibers up to — but not including — .50 BMG.
  • No full-auto fire except by special use permit.
  • No alcohol on the range or in the parking lot.
  • Anyone 15 and under must have adult supervision.
  • Groups over 10 need a special use permit.
  • Follow the range officer; agents may inspect your permit, firearm, and ammunition.

The rule people break most

On a conservation area, shoot only on the designated range

On an MDC conservation area, target shooting is allowed only on a designated range — not just anywhere on the property (except by special use permit). This is the rule people break most. Unstaffed-range hours run about a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset, with paper targets on the provided holders (clay only on shotgun-shell ranges).

Check before you drive

Before you drive out, check the range or district page for hours, last check-in time, closure notices, fees, accepted payment, allowed targets, and ammunition restrictions.

MDC range questions people ask first

Can I target shoot anywhere on a conservation area?

No. On an MDC conservation area, target shooting belongs on a designated range unless MDC has issued a special use permit. Do not treat an open field as a range.

What's the difference between staffed and unstaffed ranges?

Staffed ranges have range officers and posted operating hours, fees, and check-in rules. Unstaffed ranges are still official ranges, but you follow the posted rules without a staff member standing there.

Can I bring my own targets?

Maybe. MDC range pages and posted signs control targets, calibers, ammunition, and clay use. Read the exact range page and posted sign if you want to bring special targets.

What if the range near me is closed?

Use MDC's range roster to find another legal range. Do not move to a nearby conservation-area field just because the range gate is closed.

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