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Community Events Busch Shooting Range and Conservation Area Events The Busch Conservation Area and shooting range is located in St. Charles County. Throughout the year, the education center and conservation area offers a variety of free training programs and courses on firearms, shotguns, archery, youth clinics, equipment and much more. For a full list of programs in the St. Louis Region visit http://mdc.mo.gov/events/region/07/heading/St.%20Louis.
Venison Cooking Location: Busch Shooting Range This class teaches the basics of venison cooking. Join our experts as they show you how to prepare your venison. They may even share recipes and cooking ideas for the deer you harvested. Ages 12-15 must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations begin November 5 by calling 636-441-4554.
Find a Hunter Education Class Click here to see a list of scheduled courses this winter and spring. Check back regularly as classes are periodically added. MDC recently revised its Hunter Education curriculum to enhance student convenience and emphasize mentorship and hands-on training.
Clark Hike- Winter Food for Wildlife Location: August A. Busch Memorial
Conservation Area (Ages 12 & Up) Hike an invigorating 5.3 miles on the Clark Trail at the Weldon Spring Conservation Area. The area supports a wide range of wildlife during the winter, but what food is available to them in these cold months? Hike and learn how wildlife survives the winter. Reservations begin November 22. Please call 636-441-4554.
Did you know? Each year, 10,000 to 12,000 citizens volunteer more than 250,000 hours to Department programs such as Stream Teams, Forest Keeper, Master Naturalist, Hunter Education, nature and education centers, and shooting ranges. For more information please visit http://mdc.mo.gov/node/4668.
Backyard Birding Location: August A. Busch Memorial Conservation
Area (Ages 5-7) Bird watching is a fun activity you can do your whole life. We’ll introduce your children to this hobby by learning basic bird identification, talking about how to attract them to your yard, and make a simple birdfeeder out of recycled materials to take home. Reservations begin November 22. Please call 636-441-4554.
To subscribe to the Missouri Conservationists or Xplor magazines, please visit www.mdc.mo.gov/node/9087.
Holiday Herps Location: August A. Busch Memorial
Conservation Area (Families) Get a special, up-close look at our “herp” collection. Gain a unique perspective of amphibians and reptiles as their wild relatives find seclusion and protection for the winter. There will be many live critters on display, including venomous snakes. Enjoy discovery tables, crafts and free publications to take home. Come by any time during the three hour period.
Did you know? Approximately 2,300 Department staff and volunteers provide about 1,000 hunter education classes each year, certifying about 20,000 citizens annually. The training has helped reduce Missouri’s hunting accident rate by 70%.
Owl Prowl Location: August A. Busch Memorial
Conservation Area (Families) Stepping into the woods at night is an adventure! Ever wonder “who’s” awake while you’re sleeping? Learn all about owls and take a short hike to call for owls in the forest they call home. Please dress for the weather. Please call 636-441-4554 to reserve a spot.
Did you know? Started in 2006, the Department’s Discover Nature Schools Program is being taught in 70% of Missouri school districts. The program continues to grow every year. Schools should contact their local Department of Conservation Education Consultant to learn more about the Discover Nature Schools Program. Find your local contact on the Department’s website at www.mdc.mo.gov and scroll down to “Who’s My Local Contact?” and enter your county, or call 573-751-4115 for more information.
Night Hike- Busch Hiking/ Biking Trail Location: August A. Busch Memorial
Conservation Area (Families) Experience the sounds of the night during a moderate night hike at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area. We will hike the 3.5 mile, Busch Hiking/Biking Trail listening for coyotes howling and owls calling in the cool winter night. Reservations begin December 6. Please call 636-441-4554.
Jay Henges Shooting Range Events The Jay Henges complex provides a safe environment for novice and experienced shooters. The complex includes a 100-yard, baffled rifle/pistol range with 20 covered booths with target placement at 7, 15, 25, 50, 75, and 100 yards. Additional facilities include three trap fields, a shotgun patterning range, and a four-target static archery range. For a full list of programs in the St. Louis Region visit http://mdc.mo.gov/events/region/07/heading/St.%20Louis
Basic Handgun, Part 1 & 2 Location: Jay Henges Shooting Range &
Outdoor Education Center Basic Handgun, Part 1 & 2 December 5 & 7 Thursday 6 – 8 p.m. and Saturday 8 – 9:30 a.m. (Ages 16 and up) This two-part program will include handgun operation, shooting fundamentals, safety, maintenance, and safe storage. We start with a classroom session on Thursday evening, then a live-fire session on Saturday morning. Although equipment and ammunition will be provided, you may bring your own handgun and ammunition to the Saturday morning live-fire session. Anyone under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Phone 636-938-9548 to reserve a spot by December 5.
Did you know? Each year, 10,000 to 12,000 citizens volunteer more than 250,000 hours to Department programs such as Stream Teams, Forest Keeper, Master Naturalist, Hunter Education, nature and education centers, and shooting ranges. For more information please visit http://mdc.mo.gov/node/4668.
Trigger Time – Handgun Location: Jay Henges Shooting Range &
Outdoor Education Center Trigger Time – Handgun December 15 Sunday 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. (Ages 18 and up) Trigger Time is “hands-on” personal instruction designed to make you a better marksman. There is no classroom time, just expert one-on-one instruction from one of our highly qualified staff. Participants are required to provide their own handguns and ammunition, at least 100 rounds. This program is not appropriate for beginners. Please reserve a spot by December 14, 2013.
To subscribe to the Missouri Conservationists or Xplor magazines, please visit www.mdc.mo.gov/node/9087.
New Firearm 101 Location: Jay Henges Shooting Range &
Outdoor Education Center New Firearm 101 December 30 Monday 10 a.m. to noon (Ages 9 and up) Did you receive a new firearm for Christmas? Let’s get started with safe instruction! Bring your firearm to the range and we’ll learn basic operation, safety, maintenance, and spend some time learning to shoot that new gun. Be sure to bring your instruction manual if you have one. Reservations begin at 12 a.m. on November 30 phone 636-938-9548.
Did you know? Missouri is home to 600,000 hunters. Hunting contributes over $1.4 billion of economic impact to the Missouri economy, supports over 24,000 jobs, and generates over $96 million in state and local sales tax per year.
Rockwoods Reservation Events To reach Rockwoods Reservation, exit I-44 at Highway 109 and continue four miles north to Woods Avenue. Go west on Woods, then north on Glencoe Road.
Rockwoods Reservation harbors a rich diversity of plant and animal life as well as springs, caves, and rock formations. Cool, moist, north facing ravines and lush creek bottoms contrast with the nearby arid, rocky ridge tops, and south slopes. The terrain is reminiscent of the Ozark hills and, indeed, many plants and animals found in hill country are also found here.
Owl Prowl Location: Rockwoods Reservation (Families) Who’s that hooting it up each December evening? Owls, that’s who! Learn what makes owls such effective night time hunters and why they hoot so much in winter. Please dress for the weather as we’ll venture outdoors to look and listen for these nocturnal predators. Please reserve by December 6.
Our Amazing Furbearing Animals Location: Rockwoods Reservation (Ages 7 - 12)Furbearers have been extremely important animals in Missouri for centuries. They are the main reason that St. Louis was founded at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers in 1764. Around 100 years ago many were close to eradication due to excessive hunting/trapping pressure and habitat loss. Through strong conservation efforts most of these important animals are thriving once again. Please reserve your spot by December 9.
Did you know? The Department conducts more than 200,000 acres of habitat management on conservation areas each year with an emphasis on natural community, waterfowl, dove, and early successional habitat management.
Breakfast with the Birds Location: Rockwoods Reservation (Ages 12 & up)Enjoy a winter morning watching the birds while eating a delicious Dutch oven breakfast. Learn to attract birds to your backyard and how to identify them once they’ve arrived. Reservations begin December 6. Please call 636-458-2236.
Did you know? Missouri is home to 1.1 million anglers. Fishing recreation contributes $2.1 billion of economic impact to the Missouri economy, supports over 21,000 jobs, and generates well over $122 million in state and local sales tax per year.
Regal Eagles Location: Rockwoods Reservation (Ages 7 – 12) Eagles are some of the most majestic of all birds. In Missouri, the bald eagle is becoming more common and even golden eagles are sometimes seen. Learn about bald eagle adaptations, migration patterns and habitat requirements so that you can help conserve this once endangered bird. Reservations begin December 27. Please call 636-458-2236.
Please click on http://mdc.mo.gov/node/8933 to receive the latest Conservation Connections Newsletter for the Saint Louis area.
Columbia Bottom Conservation Area Events To reach the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area and Nature Center from I-270 north, take the Riverview Drive exit (last Missouri exit); go north 2.8 miles. Riverview Drive becomes Columbia Bottom Road at its intersection with Larimore Road. The entrance is on the right-hand side.
This area contains cropland, forest, wetlands, and old fields. There is a visitor center and office along with hiking and biking trails, interpretive sites and a boat ramp to the Missouri River. The unique feature of this area is the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, which can be seen from a viewing deck.
Pirates of Columbia Bottom: Intro to Geocaching Location: Columbia Bottom Conservation Area (Families)Bring the whole family to Columbia Bottom to be modern day pirates through the outdoor sport of geocaching! This adventurous outdoor activity ties both technology and nature together for all ages. Join us for a brief introduction on the basics of geocaching and then try your hand at hunting for hidden treasures on the area. GPS units will be provided. Please call 314-877-6014 to reserve a spot.
Did you know? Missouri ranks 1st in the nation for hunter recruitment. For every 100 hunters lost, 116 take up hunting in Missouri.
Winter is Coming Location: Columbia Bottom Conservation Area (Ages 3 and up) The seasons are changing, and it is getting cold outside. Let’s investigate how the animals find food and shelter while managing to keep warm in winter time. Put on your winter coat, hat, and mittens so we can head outside to also find out where animals go during the cold winter months. Be sure to wear warm shoes or boots that may get wet. Reservations begin November 30. Call 314-877-6014 Wed.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Reservations begin 11/30
Snake Snack Location: Columbia Bottom Conservation Area (All ages) As all the snakes in Missouri hunker down for the long winter, let’s observe one that stays active all year. Learn about our captive prairie king snake and even get a chance to see it “sneak” up on a scrumptious snack. No reservations required.
New Year's Eve Walk Location: Columbia Bottom Conservation Area (Ages 10 and up) What better way to get refreshed for the New Year than a quiet stroll in the crisp, moonless night at Columbia Bottom? Be enlightened as we listen for our night time denizens and learn about the adaptations which enable them to conduct their activities in the dark at this cold time of the year. We’ll spend a few minutes at the Confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers before we head back. Dress warmly for the weather. Meet at parking lot “M” about 4 miles from the main entrance. Reservations begin December 15. Call 314-877-6014 Wed.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Reservations begin 12/15
Did you know? Missouri leads the nation in recruiting new hunters, with 1.16 hunters replaced for every one lost. This success is largely due to citizen interest in conservation, youth-only seasons, low-cost permits, and Department sponsored hunting and education programs.
Conservation Department Events at Forest Park The Department’s Forest Park Office is located in the lower level of the Dennis and Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center in Forest Park. Formerly known as the Lindell Railway Pavilion, this building was renovated by Forest Park Forever and reopened in 2003. Department staff in the office provide St. Louis-area residents with conservation programs, workshops, materials, educational grants and instructional resources.
Tis the season Location: Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor
and Education Center in Forest Park (All ages) Squirrels and foxes are breeding. Other animals are denning up for the winter. Birds are gathering at feeders and many are migrating. We are getting ready for the holidays. Join us and relax from the hustle and bustle of the season. This program brings us indoors to highlight some of the bounties of winter. We will make a wreath decorated with fall and winter outdoor finds. Call 314-877-1309 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday to reserve a spot by December 10.
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center Events The Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center is located in Kirkwood, MO. Take Highway 44 east to the Watson Rd exit and turn left on Geyer. Cross over the bridge and turn left on Cragwold Rd. Follow for one mile to the entrance. Enjoy nature exhibits, attend programs, purchase hunting and fishing permits, browse through a nature-related gift shop, and pick up free conservation brochures.
Winter's Gifts Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature
Center (Ages 3-6) On the first day of winter nature gave to me… a cardinal in an oak tree! Come and celebrate nature’s winter animals as we practice counting in our own “12 days of winter” song. We’ll also read a winter story and make a gift to give back to nature! Reservations begin December 4 by calling 314-301-1500.
Find a Hunter Education Class Click here to see a list of scheduled courses this winter and spring. Check back regularly as classes are periodically added. The Department recently revised its Hunter Education curriculum to enhance student convenience and emphasize mentorship and hands-on training. |
