Hunter Safety Course

good marksmanship is based on...

-Proper sight adjustment or patterning -Proper shooting technique -Practice

ways to identify animals

-distinctive markings -sounds -the way they move -group behavior

hunting methods

-still hunting -stalking -posting

4 fundamentals of an accurate rifle shot

1) Aim carefully, aligning your sights. 2) Take a deep breath, and then release about half of it. 3) Squeeze the trigger slowly. 4) Follow through.

steps to patterning a shotgun

1) Fire one shot at the center of the target (or bull's-eye) from the distance that you expect to be from your quarry (for example, 35 yards if hunting game birds). Repeat this two more times, each time with a new sheet of target paper. 2) On each of the three targets, draw a 30-inch circle around the densest part of the shot pattern. (This is not necessarily the center of the paper.) 3) On each of the three targets, count the number of pellet holes that fall within the 30-inch circle, marking them with the marker as you count each one. 4) Calculate the percentage of the load that is expected to land in a 30-inch circle at the distance that you expect to be from your quarry. -Average the pellet counts within the 30-inch circles (add the three counts from the previous step and divide the sum by three). -Then divide the average pellet count by the number of pellets in the load for the ammunition you are using, and multiply this result by 100.

steps to selecting proper ammunition

1) Read the specific caliber or gauge designations on the side of the barrel. Match that barrel stamp designation exactly. 2) Carefully read the information on the lid of the ammunition box and on the head stamp on the ammunition. With shotgun ammunition, always check both the gauge and the shell length, and whether it's a magnum load, to ensure it matches the data on the barrel. 3) match the proper caliber of cartridge, or gauge and length of shotshell, on the ammunition box and the ammunition head stamp to the barrel stamp before you shoot.

basic steps to cleaning firearm

1)Point the muzzle in a safe direction, and make sure the gun is unloaded. 2) Remove all ammunition from the cleaning bench. 3) For the most thorough cleaning, field strip the firearm as directed in the firearm owner's manual. Then clean each part separately.

___ a rifle. ___ the trigger.

Aim a rifle. Squeeze the trigger.

State wildlife agencies receive federal aid for hunting related projects. Which agency provides this aid? A) National Park Service B) U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service C) Department of Natural Resources D) U.S. Department of the Interior

B

Three hunters are walking single file. Which of the following would be safe? A) The hunter in the center uses the elbow carry. B) The hunter in front uses the elbow carry. C) All three hunters use the shoulder carry. D) All three hunters use the trail carry.

B

What information on your hunting plan can help law enforcement officials find you? A) a description of your hunting equipment B) your cell phone number and cell phone carrier C) your hunting license number D) your e-mail address

B

What is the first responsibility of the hunter once an animal has been shot? A) Photograph the animal. B) Search for the animal. C) Transport the animal. D) Field dress the animal.

B

semi-wad cutter

Balances penetration and expansion

habitat

Complete environmental requirements of an animal for survival: food, water, cover, space, and arrangement

Hollowpoint

Designed for high expansion on impact

Wad cutter

Flat-ended, used for target shooting; creates clean hole in paper

Roundnose Lead

Good penetration, little expansion

protected tip

Highly accurate with excellent expansion

Full Metal Jacket (rifle)

Maximum penetration without mushrooming; these bullets are illegal for big game hunting in most states

swing-through aiming (shotgun)

Point your shotgun at a moving target and swing with it. Increase the speed of the gun so that the muzzle passes the target and then fire. In other words, literally "swing through" the target and fire at a blank space in front of the target. Swing-through is the best technique for the beginning student.

Rounded soft point

Popular for low-velocity calibers; recommended for tubular magazines

double action

Pulling the trigger both cocks and releases the hammer. A double-action revolver typically also can be hammer-cocked like a single-action revolver.

Bore sighting-in with bolt-action rifles

Remove the bolt, brace the firearm on sandbags, and look directly through the bore. Correct the rifle's position until you see the bull's-eye in the center of the bore. Adjust the sights to give you a good sight picture.

preservation

Saving natural resources, but with no consumptive use of them

wildlife management

Science and practice of maintaining wildlife populations and their habitats

carrying capacity

The number of animals a given habitat can support all year long without damaging the animals or the habitat

Biological surplus

The number of animals in a population beyond the carrying capacity

single action

Will fire only after the hammer has been cocked manually.

conservation

Wise use of natural resources, without wasting them

snap shooting aiming (shotgun)

a technique to use if you must make a quick shot and the target is straight ahead at close range. You simply raise the shotgun and point where you think the target will be when the shot arrives.

the heart of the firearm—the moving parts that load and fire the ammunition and eject the shells or cartridges.

action

Attaches the moveable forestock to the cocking/loading mechanism (pump action)

action bar (pump action)

The point of the arrow. Many different kinds of arrow points are available, each with a different purpose and advantage.

arrowhead

the metal tube that the projectile travels through as a result of pressure from burning gunpowder, compressed air, or other like means; also guides the projectile in the intended direction

barrel

A visual indicator for pointing the shotgun

bead (pump action)

Movable metal block that seals a cartridge into the chamber on some actions (bolt action)

bolt

Handle used to open a bolt action

bolt handle

Inside of the firearm barrel through which the projectile travels when fired

bore

Rear end of the barrel

breech

The part of the stock that you hold against your shoulder when shooting

butt

Diameter of the bore of a rifle or handgun as measured from land to opposite land on rifled barrels and the designation for the size of ammunition for different bores

caliber

Ammunition used in modern rifles and handguns; a case containing primer, gunpowder, and a bullet

cartridge

Base of the barrel used to hold the cartridge or shotshell ready for shooting

chamber

The degree of narrowing at the muzzle end of the shotgun barrel

choke

Storage for ammunition in a revolver; the cylinder rotates as the action is cocked

cylinder

Metal rod used to help with removal of cartridges (double action)

ejector rod (double action)

A pin that strikes the primer of the cartridge, causing ignition

firing pin

The plastic vanes or feathers on an arrow, creates wind drag and also can cause the arrow to spin similar to a rifle bullet, providing stability and accuracy in flight, is made up of three or more vanes or feathers. One of the feathers will be a different color and is called the "cock" feather. The remaining feathers are referred to as the "hen" feathers.

fletching

Front portion of the stock extending under the barrel in front of the receiver; usually held by the non-trigger hand to help support the firearm (bolt action)

fore stock (bolt action)

Diameter of the bore of a shotgun and the designation for the size of ammunition for different bores

gauge

Handle of the handgun

grip

The spiral cuts in a rifled bore

grooves

Part that strikes the primer to cause ignition

hammer

Improved cylinder choke

has a slight constriction. It allows the shot string to spread fairly quickly. This is a good choice for quail, rabbits, and other upland game at relatively close ranges.

modified choke

has moderate constriction. The pellets stay together longer, making the shot string denser and more useful at longer ranges. This choke is used often when dove hunting and when using steel shot to hunt for ducks or geese.

Rimfire ammunition

has the primer contained in the rim of the ammunition casing. Rimfire ammunition is limited to low-pressure loads. Rimfire cartridges are not reloadable.

either primer or a percussion cap is placed on the nipple or breech plug. An ignition system that is in direct alignment with the bore of the firearm causes the cap to ignite the black powder charge, and the gun fires.

in-line muzzleloaders

The ridges of metal between the grooves in a rifled bore

lands

The amount of gunpowder in the cartridge or shotshell together with the weight of the bullet or shot charge

load

Container on a repeating firearm that holds ammunition before it's loaded into the chamber; usually tubes or boxes attached to the receiver

magazine

The standard measurement unit of shooting accuracy; one MOA is 1/60 of one degree, or approximately one inch, at 100 yards

minutes-of-angle (MOA)

The end of the barrel through which the projectile (bullet or shot) exits

muzzle

A slotted plastic tip located on the rear end of the arrow that snaps onto the string and holds the arrow in position. There is a certain point on the bowstring, called the "nocking point," where arrows are nocked. Fine tuning of this location, by moving it up or down the bowstring, is usually required.

nock

Optical bending of telescopic crosshairs in relation to the target

parallax

An explosive chemical compound that ignites the gunpowder when struck by a firing pin.

primer

The object(s) expelled from the barrel. A bullet usually contains lead, fired through a rifle or handgun barrel. A slug is a solid, usually of lead, fired through a shotgun barrel. Shot is a group of lead, steel, tungsten alloy, or bismuth pellets fired through a shotgun barrel

projectile

Metal housing for the working parts of the action

receiver

A raised surface along the top of the barrel which serves as a sighting plane (pump action)

rib (pump action)

Spiral grooves cut into the bore of a firearm barrel together with the lands—the ridges of metal between the grooves; rifling makes a bullet spin in flight, increasing accuracy and distance

rifling

Mechanical device that blocks the trigger or hammer to help prevent accidental firing

safety

The long spine of the arrow, are made of wood, fiberglass, aluminum, or carbon. The arrow, regardless of shaft material, must have the correct stiffness to match the bow for optimal accuracy. Every arrow has a degree of stiffness called spine, which is its resistance to bending. As an arrow is released, the shaft bends before straightening in flight. Incorrect stiffness will cause the arrow to fly erratically and inaccurately.

shafts

Device used for aiming by aligning a front and rear sight

sight

part that moves back to load cartridges (semi-automatic)

slide (semi-automatic)

The part of a gun which is held, or braced, against the shooter's body

stock

dispatch

to put to death quickly

Small lever that is squeezed to start the firing process

trigger

Piece that surrounds the trigger to protect it from being squeezed or bumped accidentally

trigger guard

cylinder choke

unconstricted barrel. The shot string spreads quickly.

cylinder choke

unconstricted barrel. The shot string spreads quickly.an unconstricted barrel. The shot string spreads quickly.

Centerfire ammunition

used for rifles, shotguns, and handguns. In this type of ammunition, the primer is located in the center of the casing base. Most centerfire ammunition is reloadable.

A seal and/or shot container made of paper or plastic separating the powder from the slug or shot in a shotshell. The wad prevents gas from escaping through the shot and holds the shot together as it passes through the barrel.

wad

steps of rifle/handgun firing

1) A cartridge is inserted into the chamber. 2) The action is closed, and the firing pin is pushed back and held back under spring tension. 3) The trigger is squeezed, releasing the firing pin, which moves forward with great force. The firing pin strikes the primer, causing it to explode. 4) The spark from the primer ignites the gunpowder. Gas converted from the burning powder rapidly expands in the cartridge. The expanding gas forces the bullet out of the cartridge and down the barrel with great speed. The rifling in the barrel causes the bullet to spin as it travels out of the barrel. The bullet's speed and escaping gases produce a "bang."

steps to how shotguns shoot

1) A shotshell is inserted into the chamber. Closing the action pushes the firing pin back and holds it under spring tension. 2) Pulling the trigger releases the firing pin. The firing pin strikes the primer producing sparks. 3) Heat and sparks from the primer ignite the gunpowder. Gas converted from the burning powder expands in the shell. The expanding gas forces the wad and shot out of the plastic body of the shell. 4) The escaping gases produce a "bang" as the wad and shot leave the barrel. The wad quickly opens and falls away. The shot cluster spreads. This spread is called the shot string.

The 10 Commandments of Hunter Safety

1) Watch that muzzle! Keep it pointed in a safe direction at all times. 2) Treat every firearm as if it were a loaded gun. 3) Be sure of the target and what is in front of it and beyond it. Know the identifying features of the game you hunt. Make sure you have an adequate backstop—don't shoot at a flat, hard surface or water. 4) Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot. 5) Make sure the barrel and action are clear of obstructions, and carry only the proper ammunition for your firearm. 6) Unload firearms when not in use. Leave actions open, and carry firearms in cases and unloaded to and from the shooting area. 7) Point a firearm only at something you intend to shoot. 8) Don't run, jump, or climb with a loaded firearm. Unload a firearm before you climb a fence or tree, or jump a ditch. Pull a firearm toward you by the butt, not the muzzle. 9) Store firearms and ammunition separately and safely beyond the reach of children and careless adults. 10) Avoid alcoholic beverages before and during shooting. Also avoid mind- or behavior-altering medicines or drugs.

Collimator sighting-in for rifles without bolt actions

A collimator slips into the muzzle end of the barrel and allows you to adjust the sights, much like bore sighting-in.

You are shooting at a moving target. You estimate the length of lead necessary to hit the target. You maintain that lead as you swing with the target. You fire and continue the swing. This method of shooting is called: A) swing-through B) sustained lead C) snap-shooting D) sight alignment

B

full metal jacket (handgun)

High penetration, no expansion

Pointed soft point bullet

High velocity, accurate bullets with a flat travel path (trajectory); excellent mushrooming

Forestock (or fore end) (pump action)

On a pump (or slide) action, sliding the forestock back ejects the shotshell and cocks the action. Sliding it forward loads a fresh shell into the chamber. (pump action)

___ a shotgun. ___ the trigger.

Point a shotgun. Pull the trigger.

sustain lead aiming (shotgun)

This method is a little more challenging because it requires more experience. You estimate the length of the lead necessary to hit the target and maintain that lead as you swing with the target, fire, and continue the swing.

The container that holds all the other ammunition components together. It's usually made of brass, steel, copper, paper, or plastic.

case

A chemical mixture that burns rapidly and converts to an expanding gas when ignited. Modern smokeless powder will burn slowly when ignited in the open (outside of the case). Black powder is less stable and can be explosive when impacted or ignited in the open.

gunpowder

full choke

has tight constriction. The shot string holds together even longer, making this choke good for squirrels, turkey, and other game shot at 40-yard and longer ranges.

The spread of shot pellets after they hit a non-moving target

shot pattern

The three-dimensional spread of shot pellets after they leave the barrel

shot string

Ammunition used in modern shotguns; a case containing primer, gunpowder, wad, and a slug or shot

shotshell