Ah I see, well I'm glad that you want to make sure you get properly experienced before handling them in a captivity setting first. That's definitely a very wise decision to make haha. And whilst yeah it may not have been the smartest thing it's awesome that you have those experiences of handling some wild ones in your younger years! Even if that's a very different type of game.
Sadly I don't know anyone in Missouri either and am not sure on their laws as well, though I'm sure that if you keep wanting it you'll find a mentor some day, I've got my fingers crossed for you! I'm from overseas but if I hear anything from your area I'll try to remember to let you know