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Welcome to the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area Shooting Range & Outdoor Education Center Web page!

Individual use will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Group use at the range complexes must be scheduled one month in advance with the Outdoor Education Center at ext. 251 (range) by obtaining and  submitting a permit request.

Area Information

August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area Shooting Range & Outdoor Education Center
3500 Highway D
Defiance, MO 63341
(636) 300-1953 ext. 251

or

(636) 441-4554 for registration

–Notice–

Busch Rifle and Pistol Range Open

The Busch Shooting Range's 100-yard rifle and pistol range has been renovated and is open for shooting.


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 Special Topics:

Fees:

Rifle/Pistol Range: $3 for one shooting booth for one hour and any fraction of an hour. One-hour time limit when a waiting line exists. 10-point, 100-yard covered individual shooting booths with target lines at 25, 50, 75, and 100 yards and 9-Point, 25 yard covered individual shooting booths with target lines at 7, 15, and 25 yards. Limited seating is provided for spectators behind each booth. Paper bull’s-eye targets provided.

Trap & Skeet Fields: $3 per round (25 targets), per person. Limit two rounds or one hour which ever occurs first per person when there is a waiting line. Clay targets are provided. Squadding into groups of 5-shooters when there is a waiting line is required. Two trap fields and one combination trap/skeet field overlay are available. Clay targets and instructional guidance is provided on each range.

Shotgun Patterning Range: $3 per person for every set of three 40 inch patterning targets. One hour time limit when waiting line exists. Firing distances of 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 yards. Paper patterning targets, wooden target frame, bench rest and seat are provided.

Broadhead Archery Pit Ranges: $3 per hour per person, one hour time limit when waiting line exists. 3-D and special targets for use of broadhead hunting tips are in place. Field tips can be used.

Tree Stand Practice Poles: Free for individual users to practice hanging and climbing with their tree stand. Must follow stand manufacture instructions and proper safety belts must be used. Groups must call the center for a special use permit.

Field Archery Ranges: (located on the main Busch Area) Free for individual users. Groups larger than 10-persons must call the range for a special use permit. One static archery range with six positions at 10 to 40 yards including an 8 foot elevated platform to simulate shooting from a tree stand and 4-field walking trails with 14-shooting points on each. Target butts provided. Target and field tips only—no broadheads or broadhead practice tips!

Range Hours:

Range Hours: Friday thru Monday: 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and Tuesdays - 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Shooting Range Complex - Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays, state and federal holidays, and special events.

These hours are subject to change. Please call the range/center for updated hours.

Field Archery Ranges on the Main Busch CA Area are open year-round from sunrise to sunset.  Some ranges may be closed on various days for maintenance or a special event when needed.

Facilities:

10-point, 100-yard covered individual shooting booths with target lines at 25, 50, 75, and 100 yards and 9-Point, 25 yard covered individual shooting booths with target lines at 7, 15, and 25 yards. Range is for use of semi-automatic and single action center fire rifles less than .50 caliber, blackpowder rifles and handguns, airguns, centerfire handguns, and shotguns with slugs. Bench rests and seats are provided for shooters. Shooting is limited to bench or standing positions. Each booth is limited to two people in the booth at a time with only one of these individuals handling any firearm at one time.  Limited seating is provided for spectators behind each booth. Eye and ear protection is required on all shooting ranges and is available upon request at no charge.

Two 16-yard American Singles Trap Fields and one American Skeet Field are available. Clay birds are provided, but you must provide your own firearm and ammunition, which is limited to shotguns 12 gauge or smaller and shell shot size of 7 or smaller. Limited seating is provided for spectators at each range. Eye and ear protection is required on all shooting ranges and is available upon request at no charge.

One Shotgun Patterning Range located on the east side of the shooting range facility. A patterning board, shooting bench, seat, rest, and targets are provided. Target shooting is allowed from 20 to 40 yards.  Limited seating is provided for spectators at the range. Eye and ear protection is required on all shooting ranges and is available upon request at no charge.

2-Archery Broadhead Pit Ranges located beside the Skeet range, field tips may be used too.  Shooting lines are located at 10, 15, 20, 25, & 30 yards from targets.  Limited seating is provided for spectators behind each range. Eye protection is required on this range and is available upon request at no charge.

4-Tree Stand Practice Poles, for those individuals to practice hanging and climbing with their tree stand. Safety is paramount and users must follow safety at all times and must follow stand manufacture instructions and proper safety belts must be used.

Five Field Archery Ranges (located on the main Busch area), one static range with includes an 8 foot tower to simulate shooting from a tree stand, and four walking field courses with fourteen shooting points on each. Target butts are provided, shooters must provide proper paper or 3-D targets.

Both areas have picnic tables free for visitors to use.

Range Regulations:
  • Persons drinking under the influence of alcohol will not be permitted on range.
  • Possession of alcohol on any MDC range or adjoining parking areas and facilities is illegal.
  • Fees must be paid before using range.
  • Eye and ear protection is required on all shooting ranges and is available upon request at no charge
  • Guns should remain unloaded with actions locked open until ready to shoot on firing line.
  • Keep muzzle pointed in a safe direction - -straight up and down range.
  • Treat every firearm as if it were loaded.
  • Obey "cease fire" commands promptly. Unload all firearms and lock actions open.
  • No more than two people in a booth at any given time.
  • Remove brass, hulls, shot targets, extra targets and litter from ranges before leaving.
  • There is no smoking within 50 yards of any the firing line.
  • All shooters 15 years of age and under must have adult (18+) supervision.
  • Gun dogs brought for training must be kept on leash at all times and 25 foot from shotgun ranges. Gun dogs are not allowed around rifle/pistol range. No house pets allowed.
  • Any infraction of the range rules could result in immediate loss of range privileges without refund.
  • Bench and standing firing positions only on rifle/pistol range.
  • No fully automatic or burst capable firearms allowed and no drawing from holsters.
  • No broadheads or broadhead practice tips allowed to be used on the field archery ranges.
  • Center fire rifle cartridges limited to less than .50 caliber

Events for Monday, September 8 - Sunday, December 7, 2008
Event and Date Location Reserve by:
Frontiers: Acorns, Helicopters and Hitch Hikers
Monday, September 8, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area Sunday, September 7
Wild Edibles
Saturday, September 13, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area Friday, September 12
Missouri's Trees
Saturday, September 13, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area Friday, September 12
Basic Trap Shooting
Saturday, September 13, 2008
August A. Busch Thursday, September 11
GO FISH!-Fishing with Lures (Program #4)
Sunday, September 14, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area Friday, September 12
Intro. To Skeet Shooting
Tuesday, September 16 – Wednesday, September 17, 2008
August A. Busch Saturday, September 13
Wacky Bats
Saturday, September 20, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area Friday, September 19
The Runge Hiking Club
Saturday, September 20, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area Friday, September 19
NRA White-tailed Deer Clinic
Saturday, September 20, 2008
August A. Busch Monday, September 15
GO FISH!-Species Specific Fishing - Channel Catfish (Program #5, alternate to Largemouth Bass)
Sunday, September 21, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area Friday, September 19
Snake for a Day
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area Monday, September 22
Deer Sounds and what they mean
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
August A. Busch Saturday, September 20
Intro. to Traditional Archery
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
August A. Busch Saturday, September 20
GO FISH!-Cooking & Cleaning Your Catch (Program #6)
Saturday, September 27, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area Friday, September 26
GO FISH!-Aquatic Ecology, Conservation & Ethics (Program #7-Final Program)
Sunday, September 28, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area Friday, September 26
Womens Intro. to Handguns
Tuesday, September 30 – Thursday, October 2, 2008
August A. Busch Thursday, September 25
GO FISH!-Basic Fishing I (Program #1)
Saturday, October 4, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area Friday, October 3
GO FISH!-Basic Fishing II (Program #2)
Sunday, October 5, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area Friday, October 3
Conservation Frontiers: Litter Pick-Up
Monday, October 6, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial C. A. Friday, October 3
GO FISH!-Basic Fishing III (Program #3)
Saturday, October 11, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area Friday, October 10
Birding for Kids
Saturday, October 11, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial C. A. Friday, October 10
Discovery Table: Poisonous and Venomous Things
Saturday, October 11, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial C. A.
GO FISH!-Fishing with Lures (Program #4)
Sunday, October 12, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area Friday, October 10
Discover Nature- Families - Rifle 101
Wednesday, October 15 – Thursday, October 16, 2008
August A. Busch C.A. Friday, October 10
Changing Leaves
Thursday, October 16, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial C. A. Wednesday, October 15
From Field to Freezer
Saturday, October 18, 2008
August A. Busch Shooting Range Wednesday, October 15
GO FISH!-Species Specific Fishing - Channel Catfish (Program #5, alternate to Largemouth Bass)
Saturday, October 18, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area Friday, October 17
Creatures of the Night
Saturday, October 18, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial C. A. Friday, October 17
GO FISH!-Cooking & Cleaning Your Catch (Program #6)
Sunday, October 19, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area Friday, October 17
GO FISH!-Aquatic Ecology, Conservation & Ethics (Program #7, Final Program)
Saturday, October 25, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area Friday, October 24
Using Your Senses Hike
Saturday, October 25, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial C. A. Friday, October 24
GO FISH!-Aquatic Ecology, Conservation & Ethics (Program #7, Final Program)
Sunday, October 26, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area Friday, October 24
Intro to Traditional Muzzle Loaders
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
August A. Busch CA. Monday, October 27
Don't Call Me Creepy!
Friday, October 31, 2008
August A. Busch Memorial C. A. Thursday, October 30
Firearm Selection
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
August A Busch C.A. Sunday, November 9
Knife Care & Sharpening
Thursday, November 13, 2008
August A. Busch C.A. Monday, November 10
Discover Nature- Women- Intro. to Firearms
Wednesday, November 19 – Thursday, November 20, 2008
August A. Busch Saturday, November 15