No matter how much we love to curl up with a good book or surf the Internet, most of us feel the need to get outdoors during the winter.

When cabin fever strikes, some of the closest opportunities are found at Missouri shooting ranges. The state maintains shooting facilities at more than 60 conservation areas. Five are outdoor skills training centers with full-time staffs and a mission that goes far beyond shooting.

Visitation can still be heavy on winter weekends, but the facilities typically are less crowded this time of year.

One of the staff ranges is the Parma Woods Shooting Range and Training Center in southern Platte County a few miles from Kansas City.

The Parma Woods facility offers youth air rifle instruction, classes in predator calling, fly-tying, orienteering (map and compass) and introduction to pistol shooting.

Range Supervisor Dan Johnson said he is particularly excited about a workshop that will teach participants how to hunt snow geese during their spring migration and “Slime Time,” a fun program for all youngsters about snakes, frogs, toads and salamanders.

Parma Woods’ winter hours are noon to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. For information, call (816) 891-9941 or visit www.mdc.mo.gov.

Lake City Shooting Range and Training Center in central Jackson County opened its doors in 1989 and has since built a following that draws in 10,000 to 12,000 visitors per year.

Winter hours at the Lake City range are noon to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.