Missouri Department of Conservation photo
The Jay Henges Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center near High Ridge hosts events throughout the year, but two special programs for deer hunters are scheduled for pre- and postseason annually.
The antler measuring event rewards those who had trophy-sized success. It is usually held in March and welcomes hunters get official scores on their harvests. In some cases, hunters may have their deer added to state record books that track information on total inches of antlers.
The Field to Freezer preseason program is offered each year to show hunters how to turn their success into table-ready venison. The class is scheduled from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, at the education center at 1100 Antire Road, near the Exit 269 intersection on Interstate 44. The event is free, but advanced registration is required because the class is limited to 30 participants. To register online visit short.mdc.mo.gov/of8.
I have attended the Field to Freezer presentation a couple of times, and it is always interesting to see how skillfully and quickly a professional butcher can convert a field-dressed deer into steaks, chops, roasts and meat for grinding into burger.
“This class will take deer hunters from the field all the way to the freezer, from the first cut to when the last vacuum-sealed bag hits the freezer shelf,” said Cody Diehl, who works at the education center.
The program includes information from the National Deer Association about deer anatomy and a field dressing demonstration on a real deer. A conservation agent will be available to answer questions and talk about deer hunting regulations and safety considerations.
“We’ll wrap up with venison preparation, storage, and recipe ideas,” Diehl said in a state Department of Conservation press release. “Whether you’re completely new to deer processing or simply want to learn a better way to handle your harvest, this class will take you through the entire process—from field to freezer.”
The other important consideration for hunters available at Henges year-round is the center’s rifle range for preseason shooting. The staffed facility includes a 100-yard range with 20 covered stations and target placements of 7, 15, 25, 50, 75 and 100 yards. The range is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays for maintenance.
User fees are $5 per hour and include paper targets. Eye and ear protection is available for shooters who do not have their own. All payments at the education center are cash or check only. The department has a similar range at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area in St. Charles County.
“Correctly sighting in your firearm and ensuring you can make a clean, accurate shot is one of the most important things you can do ahead of any hunting season,” said Bryant Hertel, manager at the Busch range. “The time to sort out firearm issues is not when you’re aimed at a deer.”
The preseason practice is especially important for those who have a new firearm and hunters who may not have fired their guns since last fall. The ranges will become busier as the November portion of the fall firearms season nears.
Archers are not forgotten at the two ranges. Both locations have static targets with elevated platforms for shooting with bow and arrows. Also available are walk-through archery trails for 3-D target practice.
The conservation department has an unstaffed shooting range at Little Indian Creek Conservation Area on the Franklin/Washington County border west of Jefferson County. It is one of four in the St. Louis region. There are no fees for the unstaffed ranges, but shooters must provide their own targets and safety equipment. The locations are open daily from sunrise to sunset, except for Monday mornings when they are closed until noon for maintenance.
John Winkelman has been writing about outdoors news and issues in Jefferson County for more than 35 years and was the Associate Editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine.
