2023 Hero Hunt

at Mark Twain State Park

Mark Twain State Park has partnered with the Missouri Veterans Commission to provide 15 Missouri veterans an all-inclusive managed deer hunt starting Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, through Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023.

This hunt provides everything you need once you arrive: lodging, food, deer tags, a hunting guide – we even process the deer you harvest. Hunters will stay at Si Colborn Group Camp at Mark Twain State Park.

This is the sixth year of the managed hunt. Partnering with the Missouri Veterans Commission allows Missouri State Parks to provide an excellent recreational opportunity for veterans and to help manage the deer population of Mark Twain State Park.

Applications can be picked up at your local Veterans Service Office. Please return your application to your local VSO. Find your local service office at mvc.dps.mo.gov/service/serviceofficer.

A veteran and a guide, both in camouflage and hunter orange pose with a harvested buck in the woods.

Guide and veteran with harvested deer


A veteran and a guide in camouflage and hunter orange pose in the woods with a large buck, the recipient of the Biggest Buck Award for 2021.

Veteran and guide with the buck that won the Biggest Buck Award for 2022


Veterans, staff and volunteers share a meal inside during the 2022 hunt.

Veterans, staff and volunteers share a meal during the 2022 hunt.

Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe speaks with veteran hunters.