MDC partners with Missouri 4-H Foundation for unstaffed shooting range survey

COLUMBIA, Mo.– The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is partnering with the Missouri 4-H Foundation to begin seeking input on the available services and usage of MDC’s unstaffed shooting ranges across the state.

Missouri is a national leader in providing free, publicly owned shooting ranges, with MDC maintaining 70 unstaffed ranges. MDC is partnering with the Missouri 4-H Foundation for a yearlong survey, beginning Jan. 1, 2015, in which 4-H staff will ask range shooters to participate in a brief exit survey that includes a series of questions about their experience using the ranges. Participation in the survey is completely voluntary.

“The mission of the Missouri Department of Conservation’s range program is to provide a safe place to practice shooting and archery skills for Missouri citizens,” said MDC hunting education and shooting range coordinator Kyle Lairmore. “The survey will assist the department with a better understanding of the needs of citizens using the ranges so we can consider them in our long-term shooting range plan.”

MDC partnered with Missouri 4-H for the survey because of its interest and long-standing involvement in promoting shooting sports across the state. User exit surveys will be conducted at approximately 40 MDC unstaffed shooting ranges from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2015.

“Missouri 4-H is a national leader in youth shooting sports with a significant interest in the quality of the experience at the shooting ranges in our state, so we’re very pleased to implement this important program on behalf of MDC and the public,” said Missouri 4-H Foundation executive director Cheryl Reams. “We encourage range users to participate in this survey to help MDC to continue providing the best facilities for our state’s hunting and shooting enthusiasts.”

Celebrating 64 years of service to 4-H youth, the Missouri 4-H Foundation secures and manages funds for University of Missouri Extension’s 4-H Center for Youth Development, provides higher education scholarships, and recognizes 4-H volunteers. MU Extension 4-H is a community of 276,921 youths from across Missouri learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.

MDC maintains five staffed and 70 unstaffed shooting facilities around the state to provide safe, family-friendly places to practice shooting and archery skills. Missouri has a rich history of hunting and shooting sports and is a national leader in public range development. For more information about MDC shooting ranges, including location, hours and driving directions, visit http://mdc.mo.gov/node/6209.