Safety concerns close local shooting range to public use

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The Missouri Department of Conservation announces the indefinite closure of shooting ranges at Pigeon Hill Conservation Area to the public.

The rest of Pigeon Hill will remain open to the public, according to a press release on the MDC website.

A MDC investigation found 'evidence of range misuse at Pigeon Hill CA that put public safety at risk.'

“Unfortunately, the actions of unsafe, irresponsible shooting range users created a situation that we could not allow to persist,” said Justin McGuire, MDC’s Hunter Education and Shooting Range Coordinator, in the press release.

The shooting ranges located in St. Joseph are some of the unstaffed ones across Missouri.

Conservation area goers are encouraged to report unsafe or unlawful activity to the Operation Game Thief at (800) 392-1111 or contact a local agent. To find agents by county, visit https://mdc.mo.gov/contact-engage/local-mdc-contacts.