Hunters Safety

What is a firearm?

A firearm is a mechanical device that uses pressure from a burning powder to force a projectile through and out of a metal tube.

Nock:

A slotted plastic tip on the rear end of the arrow

Bow

The bow is a short-range hunting tool.

Shaft:

The long spine of the arrow

Fletching:

The plastic vanes or feathers on an arrow

Arrowhead:

The point of the arrow

what happens after the firing pin strikes the primer?

This causes the primer to explode. The spark from the primer ignites the gunpowder, which burns rapidly and converts to a gas. The gas rapidly expands and drives the projectile(s) through the barrel with great force.

The maximum projectile range tells you...

at what distances your firearm's projectile could cause injury or damage to persons, animals, or objects. It also helps you determine whether or not you can make a clean kill. Knowing your firearm's maximum projectile range is critical to being a safe and responsible hunter.

Only use __________________ or a ___________________ substitute in muzzleloaders. Do not use modern-day smokeless powders due to the risk of serious injury.

black powder, synthetic black powder

You may use ground ________ or elevated _______ to conceal or position yourself. Game ______, ____________, and _________ are techniques used to expose game. Dogs can help ________ and _________ game. Setting _______ is a technique used for certain game when allowed.

blinds, stands, calling, driving, flushing. locate, retrieve, traps

Hunters play an important role in wildlife conservation. Hunters help ___________ wildlife populations at a healthy __________ for the habitat. Hunters provide information from the _________ that wildlife managers need. Funding from ____________ licenses has helped many game and non-game species recover from dwindling populations.

control, balance, field, hunting

To control the shot string, shotgun barrels have a choke. The types of chokes are...

cylinder, improved cylinder, modified, and full.

___________ and __________ protection are essential when shooting any firearm.

ear, eye

When hunting from an elevated stand, you should use a ______-_______ system (FAS) that is manufactured to industry standards. Make sure your FAS includes a full-body__________, lineman's-style _____ and/or climbing belt, tree ______, tether, and __________ relief strap. Never use single-strap belts and chest harnesses. Carefully read the manufacturer's instructions for proper use of your FAS, and follow all safety guidelines.

fall-arrest, harness, belt, strap, suspension

All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are special-purpose vehicles that require careful, responsible handling and good judgment. Carry ___________ unloaded, _________, and on a proper gun rack. Use ATVs only to get to the hunting area or to haul an animal from the woods — don't shoot from an ATV. Check on your state's rules and regulations before using an ATV when hunting.

firearms, cased, shoot

Portable tree stands come in three basic types:

hang-on stands, climbing stands, and ladder stands.

To bring home the game you are seeking while inflicting the minimal amount of suffering on the quarry, you should learn how to place a shot for a clean kill. The most effective shots are delivered to an animal's vital organs which are the...

heart and lungs

The growth of bacteria is the cause of spoiled meat. Three factors contribute to bacteria growth...

heat, moisture, and dirt — so it is best to field dress the animal immediately.

The four standard rifle-firing positions are...

prone, standing, sitting, and kneeling. Prone is the steadiest position, and standing is the most difficult.

Practice the four primary rules of firearm safety-

Point the muzzle in a safe direction. Treat every firearm with the respect due a loaded gun. Be sure of the target and what is in front of it and beyond it. Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.

what is responsible hunting behavior?

Responsible hunting behavior includes being courteous, respecting others, respecting wildlife, obeying hunting laws (including no poaching), hunting fairly, practicing safety rules, and waiting for a clean kill before shooting.

Arrows have four parts-

Shaft, fletching, arrowhead, nock

Elbow or side Carry

The elbow or "side" carry is a very comfortable carry for break-action firearms. The pivot of the open action rests easily in the crook of your elbow and down over your forearm. In this manner the barrel naturally points down. Others can easily see that your action is safe and open.

An essential skill needed to be a successful hunter is good marksmanship, which is...

accurately and consistently hitting the target where planned. Ethical hunters know their personal accuracy and limit their shots accordingly.

Steel shot is slightly ____________ than lead shot of the same size, is ______________ than lead, and is_______-________

lighter, harder, non-toxic

A sight is a device that you use to...

line up the muzzle with your eye so that you can hit the target.

Using correct rifle-firing techniques will help improve your accuracy. The four basic fundamentals you should master are...

shooting from a rest, controlling your breathing, squeezing the trigger slowly, and following through with the shot.

Using proper shotgun-shooting techniques will help improve your accuracy. The four fundamentals you should master are...

standing in a relaxed, balanced shooting stance; shouldering the shotgun by bringing the stock to your cheek and then back to your shoulder; pointing the gun with your eye sighting along the top of the barrel; and pulling the trigger quickly as you continue to swing the gun.

The action of a firearm is made up of parts that...

load, unload, fire, and eject the shotshell or cartridge.

A hunting incident is any unplanned, uncontrolled action that occurs while using a sporting arm. It can include near misses. The four main causes of hunting incidents are...

hunter judgment mistakes, safety rule violations, lack of control and practice, and mechanical failure.

Shotguns usually have a simple pointing bead. The types of sights found on rifles are...

open, aperture or peep, telescopic or scope (most accurate), and dot. Most handguns have an open sight.

No two shotguns will shoot identical pellet patterns. To select the ammunition that provides the best ____________, you must "___________" your shotgun. The goal is to produce a pattern of pellets with even density and a sufficient percentage of the load within a _________-inch circle.

performance, pattern, 30

The eight rules of survival are (1) Give a responsible person your hunting _________. (2) Don't travel or hunt ________. (3) Take enough _________ and _______ to last for several days in an emergency. (4) Bring a ______ and __________, and always orient yourself before leaving camp. (5) Wear ____________ clothing and take _______ clothing, preferably wool and polyester, with you. (6) Plan your ________ so that you can return to camp before dark. (7) Never leave camp without taking ______-starting equipment and a foil blanket. 8) Don't _______ if you become lost.

plan, alone, food, water, map, compass, layered, extra, outings, fire, panic

Hunters often use boats in difficult conditions, such as wind, cold, and snow. Special care must be exercised to ensure a safe trip. Leave a hunting _______ with family or friends. Load the boat properly. Make sure each person wears a _________. Do not go if wind and water conditions aren't _______. Before boarding the boat, ________ and _______ each firearm. Place the firearm in the boat _________.

plan, life jacket, safe, unload, case, first

It is a hunter's ethical responsibility to stop the hunt and search for any __________ animal. Watch its movements, and follow signs such as ___________ or _________-. The best way to approach a downed deer or other large animal is from _______ and behind the _______. Make sure that it is dead, and then ___________ it immediately.

wounded, blood, tracks, above, head, tag

The two most common methods of leading targets at long distances are...

swing-through (best for beginners) and sustained lead. A third method is snap-shooting.

All modern firearms have three basic groups of parts

the action, the stock, and the barrel.

The basic components of ammunition are...

the case, primer, gunpowder, and projectile(s).

When you pull the trigger to shoot a shotshell from a shotgun or a cartridge from a rifle or handgun...

the firing pin strikes the primer in the base of the cartridge or shotshell

Proper bow selection and fit are essential to your accuracy and performance when bowhunting. The most common types of bows are...

the longbow (stick bow), the recurve bow, and the compound bow.

Primitive hunting arms include...

the muzzleloader firearm, the bow and arrow, and the crossbow.

Shotshells have an additional component called...

wad

The goal of wildlife conservation is to ensure the wise use and management of renewable resources without __________ them. Preservation saves ________ resources with no consumptive use of them. Both are necessary to sustain resources for ___________ generations.

wasting, natural, future

Heat exhaustion occurs when the core body temperature increases. To prevent heat exhaustion, drink plenty of _______, take ________ while hiking, and remove layers of _______as you get hotter. To treat heat exhaustion, move to a ________place, drink _______, and _________ yourself. Heat stroke can be fatal. To treat the victim, wrap in a sheet and soak with cool water, fan, and get to a hospital immediately.

water, breaks, clothing, cooler, water, fan

First- and second-degree burns with closed blisters are best treated with cold __________. Second- and third-degree burns with open blisters should be wrapped with a loose, dry _________.

water, dressing

Frostbite occurs when tissue freezes. To prevent frostbite, avoid severe _______. To treat frostbite, _________ the area with body heat and warm, ______ clothing; move to a warm _________, drink _____ liquids, and get medical attention.

weather, warm, dry, shelter, hot

If you are handling a firearm in the home, also follow these safety rules-

Immediately point the muzzle in a safe direction when you pick up a firearm. Keep your finger off the trigger. Always check to see that the chamber and the magazine are empty.

The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (also known as the Pittman-Robertson Act) was approved by Congress in 1937 for what?

Through federal excise taxes on sporting arms, ammunition, and archery equipment, the act provides funding for managing wildlife habitat, hunter education programs, and public target ranges.

Two-handed carry

Two-handed carry — The two-hand, also known as the ready carry, is when the firearm is gripped in both hands with the muzzle pointed up. Since the firearm is in both hands, this is one of the safest carries, allowing you to control the muzzle and bring the gun to shooting position quickly.

The type of ammunition you use depends on your firearm. Rifles and handguns use...

a cartridge that contains a bullet as the projectile.

A safety is a device does what?

blocks the action to prevent the firearm from shooting until the safety is released or pushed to the off position. The safety is intended to prevent the firearm from being fired accidentally. However, safeties are mechanical devices subject to mechanical failure from wear and other factors.

_______ __________and _______ are vital to hitting your target. With both hands, hold the handgun high on the grip and at arm's length. Use a ___________ object as a rest when hunting. The pistol-shooting fundamentals of ________ __________, ___________ ____________, and ____________ ____________ are almost identical to those in rifle shooting.

body position, grip, stable, breath control, trigger squeeze, follow through

If you become disoriented or if something else goes wrong, you have five primary requirements for survival. Shelter: Start preparing your __________ well before dark. Fire: Gather more ___________ than you think you can use. Signal: Use the international emergency sign for distress which is ________ of any signal. Water: Drink_______ to ________ quarts of water per day, purifying it if necessary. Food: Eat to keep yourself more __________ and clear-headed.

camp, fuel, three, two, four, comfortable

Occasionally you may trip or stumble in the field, accidentally dipping the barrel into the ground or snow. Immediately check for an ______________. When loading or unloading a firearm, always point the muzzle in a safe direction and make sure the safety is _______. Before transporting a firearm, always __________ it and put it in a_______. Three typical gun cases are a padded, soft-sided case; a lockable, hard-sided case; and a gun sock. Do not display a firearm in a gun __________ rack.

obstruction, on, unload, case, window

Handguns sometimes are used for hunting. They can be either...

revolvers or pistols.

The three types of projectiles used in muzzleloaders are the...

round ball, the bullet, and shot.

There are various strategies you can use while hunting. These include...

still hunting, stalking, and posting.

Firearms must be stored ________________ and in a locked location, separate from _________________. Store them _______________ or with the muzzle pointed ________________. The storage area should be ______, _________, and ____________.

unloaded, ammunition, horizontally, down, cool, clean, dry.

The most common chokes are...

Full, Modified, Improved Cylinder, and Cylinder (unchoked). A choke allows you to fine-tune your shotgun for the type of game you're hunting.

There are several ways to carry a gun safely and still have it ready for quick action. Three rules apply to all carrying methods-

Muzzle pointed in a safe direction and under control. Safety "on" until immediately before you're ready to shoot. Finger outside the trigger guard.

cradle carry

The cradle carry rests the gun across your forearm and elbow. The hand easily secures the firearm by grasping the stock. It is a comfortable carry that reduces arm fatigue

shoulder carry

The cradle carry rests the gun across your forearm and elbow. The hand easily secures the firearm by grasping the stock. It is a comfortable carry that reduces arm fatigue

trail carry

With the trail carry, the firearm is gripped in one hand allowing the other to be free. This carry should only be used when hunting alone or when others aren't in front of or to the side of you.

The type of ammunition you use depends on your firearm. Shotguns use...

a shotshell that contains either a slug or shot as the projectile.

Shock can result from any serious injury. To treat shock, keep the victim lying on his or her __________, try to keep the victim ________and comfortable, and get medical help as quickly as possible. A bullet striking the chest can cause a sucking chest wound. All chest injuries are very serious and need immediate medical attention. Hunting from a tree stand puts you at risk. ______what you will do if you should fall from your stand.

back, calm, plan

Firearms can be classified by their action type —

bolt action, lever action, pump action, semi-automatic (or autoloading) action, break (or hinge) action, or revolving action (single action or double action).

The shot angle is the angle at which the animal is standing in relation to the hunter. The different types of shot angles are...

broadside, quartering-away, quartering-toward, head-on, and rear-end. Know which angle offers the best chance of a clean kill for different game and which shots should not be taken.

The common types of arrowheads are...

bullet point, blunt point, field point, JUDO point, fish point, and broadhead. The broadhead is the only arrowhead that may be used for big game hunting.

Hypothermia occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Hypothermia is often caused by cold, wet conditions. To help prevent hypothermia, _______ properly, avoid potentially dangerous _________ conditions, and ____ out as quickly as possible when you get wet. To treat the victim, find __________, remove ______ clothing, give _____- liquids, and rewarm the person. Also contact emergency medical personnel to evacuate the victim to a hospital for treatment.

dress, weather, dry, shelter, wet, warm

________ are moral principles or values that distinguish between right and wrong. Ethical behavior ensures that hunters are welcome and hunting areas stay open. Aldo Leopold, the "father of wildlife management," once said, "Ethical behavior is doing the ________ thing when no one else is watching—even when doing the wrong thing is _________."

ethics, right, legal

During the 19th century, many game animals were hunted nearly into extinction. Hunting laws were passed to: Ensure the availability of game for ________ generations. Establish hunting seasons to ________ harvesting and avoid hunting during nesting and _________ seasons. Limit hunting methods and equipment. Set "_____" limits. Establish _________ stations and game tag requirements. Define the rules of _________ chase.

future, limit, mating, bag, check, fair

By learning about your quarry before you go hunting, you will be able to...

increase your chance of success, enjoy your hunt more, make sure you are taking legal game.

To protect yourself from the increased risks of using a muzzleloader, remember to follow safety rules when loading or unloading your firearm. The primary rule is to...

keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Do not lean over, stand in front of, or blow down the muzzle.

Wild animals are generally divided into five groups. ________ mammals ________mammals Upland ________ Waterfowl and wetland _______ ________of prey

large, small, birds, birds

Repeating firearms have a ___________ that stores the ____________ that has not been fired. When you work the action, a ____________ is picked up from the __________ and placed in the ____________ ready to be fired.

magazine, ammunition, cartridge, magazine, chamber

Built-in or attached to the __________ end of the _________, the ___________ is a constriction that controls the ____________ __________

muzzle, barrel, choke, shot string

Muzzleloaders are loaded from the ___________ or open end of the gun. They have a _________ instead of the action. Muzzleloaders are usually _________ but can be _________ (single barrel or double barrel) or handguns (pistols or revolvers).

muzzle, lock, rifles, shotguns

Hunting is a safe sport, but it does involve a certain amount of risk. To plan properly when you prepare for your hunt, remember these four areas. Be Ready: Anticipate potential ___________. Know Your Location: Familiarize yourself with the ________. Prepare for Safety: Assess your ______________ condition and ____________, and firearm safety rules. Tell Others: Prepare a hunting ______.

problems, terrain, physical, equipment, plan

The three fundamentals of good marksmanship are...

proper sight adjustment or patterning, proper shooting technique, and practice. These fundamentals apply to rifles, shotguns, and handguns.

the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, state and provincial wildlife agencies, non-governmental organizations (such as IHEA-USA), hunting equipment manufacturers, and local organizations do what?

provide funding for hunter education

It is critical that you match the proper ammunition to your firearm correctly. For example, using smaller shotshells in a larger gauge gun may cause...

serious personal injury or gun damage. Read the specific caliber or gauge designations on the side of the firearm's barrel, and match that designation exactly.

When a shotshell is fired from a shotgun, the pellets leave the barrel and begin to spread, called the...

shot string.

Hunters typically pass through five distinct stages of development- Shooting stage: The priority is getting off a _____, rather than patiently waiting for a _________ shot. Limiting-out stage: Success is determined by bagging the ________. Trophy stage: The hunter is selective and judges success by _________ rather than quantity. Method stage: The ________ of hunting becomes the focus. Sportsman stage: This is the most ___________ and ethical stage where success is measured by the __________ experience.

shot, good, limit, quality, process, responsible, total

The main differences between rifles, shotguns, and handguns are...

their barrels, their intended targets, and the type of ammunition used.

Animals can be identified by four basic characteristics...

their distinctive markings, the sounds they make, the way they move, and their group behavior.

The rifle barrel is long and has ___________ walls with spiraling grooves cut into the bore; the grooved pattern is called __________. The shotgun barrel is long and made of fairly thin _________ that is very __________ on the inside; it's thinner than a rifle barrel. The handgun barrel is much shorter than a rifle or shotgun barrel because the gun is designed to be shot while being held with one or two hands. The bores of most handgun barrels have a __________ pattern similar to rifles.

thick, rifling, steel, smooth, grooved

what is the mission of the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA-USA)?

to develop safe, responsible, and knowledgeable hunters by promoting hunter education.

what is the purpose of hunters safety?

to teach people how to safely hunt, and emphasize the importance of complying with hunting laws and behaving ethically.