MDC offers free hunting skills programs Jan. 18 and 27 at Parkville

Kansas City, Mo. – Winter does not need to be a down time for hunting and the outdoors. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer free classes about predator calling on Jan. 18 and winter deer scouting on Jan. 27 at the Parma Woods Shooting Range at Parkville.

• The Predator Calling & Hunting Basics class will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18. This class focuses on coyotes, bobcats, and foxes. Instructors will discuss their role in ecology, their habitat, identification tips, and hunting strategies. The class is open to participants ages 11 and older. Registration is required. To register, visit http://short.mdc.mo.gov/4nT.
• A Post Season Deer Scouting class will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27. Walking the woods and fields in winter to look for tracks, trails, and other signs of deer is a good way to increase hunting success the next autumn when archery and firearms seasons reopen. Snow and rain create good conditions for tracks. Signs such as deer rubs are still fairly fresh and visible. There’s also a chance of finding shed antlers. This class is open to all ages. Registration is required. To register, visit http://short.mdc.mo.gov/4nc.

For more information about the Parma Woods Shooting Range, visit http://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZHM.