Boone County Hosts Beginner Deer Hunt Dec. 5-6

Boone County’s Charles Green Conservation Area hosts a free, mentored hunt for first-time deer hunters on December 5 and 6. The Missouri Department of Conservation announced the hunt this week; it falls during the late antlerless portion of firearms deer season, and MDC provides the hunting equipment — hunters just need to bring snacks, water and weather-appropriate clothing.

Who Can Take Part?

The hunt is free and open to anyone 11 or older who has never harvested a deer. Each participant must be paired with an MDC-approved mentor for the weekend, and the department encourages hunter education certification beforehand if a participant doesn’t already have it. Everyone taking part still needs to buy a deer hunting permit ahead of time, which MDC’s release links to directly.

What the Weekend Looks Like

Saturday, Dec. 5, starts with a morning stop at a local shooting range for target practice before the group heads out to hunt. From there, participants hunt through the weekend or until they harvest a deer, whichever comes first. MDC didn’t specify the range’s address or meeting time in its release, so anyone applying should expect a follow-up call with those logistics.

How to Apply

Apply online through the form linked in MDC’s announcement, or call 573-815-7900, ext. 2886. Applications close Nov. 20, and MDC plans to notify selected participants by Nov. 25. Questions can go to conservation educator JR Royston at jr.royston@mdc.mo.gov.

For anyone new to the woods this fall, our deer-season safety rundown covers what hunters and trail users alike should know. And if this hunt — or any other this season — ends with more venison than a freezer can hold, the expanded Share the Harvest program makes it easy to donate the extra to a local food pantry.