JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Conservation Commission gave final approval to regulation changes from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) at its Oct. 23 open meeting in Cape Girardeau that would require users of its unstaffed firearms shooting ranges to have a valid small-game-hunting permit to use the ranges. The new permit requirement will become effective starting in March 2027.
MDC offers free recreational firearms shooting on more than 35 unstaffed shooting ranges around the state. The ranges were designed decades ago primarily for hunters with most traditional use being in the spring and fall in preparation for various hunting seasons.
According to MDC, range use has increased significantly in recent years with more home/self-defense firearms practice and increasing use of modern sporting rifles. Increased use has also resulted in increasing damage to shooting range signs, booths, and other infrastructure from some shooters, along with increasing litter from some shooters in the form of spent shells, targets, and other items not being collected and properly disposed of.
To help reduce range damage and misuse, MDC will require users of its unstaffed firearms shooting ranges to have a valid small game permit starting in March 2027. Existing age and disability exemptions will remain. The proposed regulation changes would apply only to MDC owned unstaffed firearms shooting ranges, not partner ranges or MDC’s five staffed shooting ranges.
For residents, the allowable permit options start at $11.50 for an annual small game permit. For non-residents, daily small game permits are $16 and annual small game permits are $108.50.
The Conservation Commission gave initial approval to the proposed permit recommendation at its May 29 open meeting in Washington. MDC then invited online public comments July 16 through Aug. 14.
Missouri hunters are required to have completed a certified hunter education program to get firearms hunting permits, unless exempt. Hunter education teaches shooting safety, ethics, and etiquette.
According to MDC, requiring a small game permit to use MDC unstaffed firearms shooting ranges would ensure that users have completed hunter education to help improve safety for themselves and other range users, visitors, neighbors, and MDC infrastructure. It also gives conservation agents another tool to improve public safety at MDC ranges.
MDC noted that many shooting range users won’t be affected by the new permit requirement because they already purchase a small game hunting permit or they’re exempt from needing one.
MDC offers multiple options for range users in need of hunter education. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/hunter-education.
Small game permits can be purchased at permit vendors, on the MDC website, at MDC offices, and through the MDC Mo Hunting app. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/permits.
Find more information on MDC shooting ranges at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/activities/shooting.
