This free class will be an excellent introduction to rifle, handgun and shotgun shooting sports.

DEFIANCE, Mo.— Are you interested in shooting sports, but feel intimidated or overwhelmed and don’t know where to start? The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) August A. Busch Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center is offering an opportunity to get started in a safe and structures way.

The Busch Range will hold a Learn to Shoot Day Tuesday, Feb. 26 from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. The course is tailor-made for novice shooters, even those who may have never even handled a firearm before. No experience is necessary. Experienced MDC shooting range staff will teach newcomers the basics of a trifecta of firearms—pistol, rifle and shotgun. The number one emphasis will be safety.

Participants will start in the range’s education center classroom to cover the basics of each firearm, attention to safe handling and use. The second part of the class will be held on the range where students can get hands-on experience shooting each type of firearm under the guidance of range staff. MDC will provide all firearms and ammunition. It’s the perfect way to sample each shooting sport without investing any money in ammunition or equipment.

The Learn to Shoot Day is a free event, but advanced online registration is required at https://bit.ly/2IoGywi. For more information, call MDC Outdoor Education Center Manager Bryant Hertel at 636-300-0258, ext. 1550.

The Busch Shooting Range is located at 3550 Route D in Defiance, approximately five miles west of Highway 94. Shooters can keep informed about range happenings by texting “MDC Busch” to 468311 and signing up for text alerts.

The August A. Busch Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center in Defiance

will hold a Learn to Shoot Day Tuesday, Feb. 26 from 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

The course is designed for novice shooters, even those have never handled a firearm before.









