Submitted by Mark Reed

Missouri - As most hunters know, anyone born since January 1, 1967, who wishes to purchase a Missouri firearms hunting permit must obtain hunter education certification.  What many folks do not know is that Missouri’s hunter education program has recently undergone major changes.  The old hunter education course required folks to attend ten to twelve hours of classroom lecture and pass a fifty question test.  The new program is divided into two portions, knowledge and skill.  Students must complete the knowledge portion before attending a skills session.

The knowledge portion may be completed on-line at www.missouriconservation.org .  Once you have completed the on-line study including all review questions you must print your Missouri Skills Session Qualifier Certificate.  The company which administers the study course charges a $15 fee to print the certificate.  None of that fee comes to the Conservation Department.

Another way to complete the knowledge portion is to pick up a Hunter Education Student Manual and complete the chapter review questions at the end of each chapter.  Manuals can be picked up at the Cape Girardeau Regional Office or American Outdoors in Dexter.  If students chose this method, they must bring their manual with completed review questions to be allowed to attend the skills session.

Later this fall, knowledge sessions will be offered which will allow students to attend a traditional style Hunter Education lecture but these will only be four hours in length and faster-paced than previous classes.  Upon completion of the knowledge session, students will receive a Missouri Skills Session Qualifier Certificate.  Knowledge sessions are not currently available due to printer delays of new manuals.

Students must register for a skills session at www.missouriconservation.org.  Once registered, be sure to bring your Missouri Skills Session Qualifier Certificate or completed Hunter Education Student Manual or you will not be allowed to attend the session.  At the skills session, students will be given the opportunity to demonstrate safe firearms handling skills and will be required to pass a thirty-five question multiple-choice exam.  The skills session will last no longer than four hours.

We currently have a skills session scheduled for August 24, 8am until noon, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dexter, MO.  Students must register at www.missouriconservation.org .  If you have questions regarding hunter education, please contact the Cape Girardeau Regional Office at 573-290-5730 or Mark Reed at 573-421-3240.  Please do not call the church with questions as they will not be able to answer them.  Remember, in order to attend the skills session you must first complete on-line study or obtain a student manual at the Cape Office or American Outdoors.  You must bring the completed student manual or certificate obtained from on-line study to attend the skills session. 

Changes to Missouri’s Hunter Education Program were brought about in response to citizen comment regarding the previous system.  The new program allows students to study at their own pace, for as long as necessary to prepare for the skills session.  The four hour skills session greatly reduces the amount of time required to attend a hunter education course. Fall hunting season are almost here so register now!