Aside from being a good marksman, the key to a clean kill is
patience
. Hunters should limit shots to the vital organs only. If you do not have a clear shot to the vital organs, wait until the animal presents the best possible shot.
What must you know about the animal you are hunting?
To identify game animals properly, you must learn to recognize key characteristics of the animal you’re hunting. These characteristics include:
The animal’s shape, size, coloring, and any other distinguishing features
.
Wildlife sign
, such as tracks, scat, and calls.
Which step will increase your hunting success and add to your enjoyment?
Understanding your quarry
will increase your success and add to the enjoyment of the experience as well. In many cases, knowing your quarry is also necessary to ensure that you’re taking legal game.
What part of the animal is the most effective place to shoot?
The most effective shots are delivered to an animal’s vital organs—
heart and lungs
. In large game animals, these organs lie in the chest cavity behind the front shoulder. A lung shot is the most effective shot for big game. The area of the vital organs also contains major blood vessels and arteries.
What is the first responsibility of the hunter?
It is a hunter’s ethical responsibility
to stop the hunt and search for any wounded animal
. You should wait for at least a half-hour to an hour before trailing a deer, unless the downed deer is in sight. Make a practice of carefully observing every movement of a game animal after you shoot it.
What is a clean kill in hunting?
If the animal doesn’t die immediately and tries to flee, it will leave a blood trail that’s easy to track. Aside from being a good marksman, the key to a clean kill is patience.
Hunters should limit shots to the vital organs only
. If you do not have a clear shot to the vital organs, wait until you do.
What is the maximum length of time you should leave a stand attached to a tree?
Do not leave a stand attached to a tree for more than
two weeks
. Never exceed the weight limit of your stand or FAS.
What is considered a best practice for trappers?
Take precautions
not to trap non-target species in areas of multiple uses. Release non-target species quickly. Responsible trappers get permission to trap on private property, use well-maintained and correctly sized equipment, check traps frequently, dispatch animals humanely, and release non-target species quickly.
What are the general legal hunting hours?
In general, the legal hunting hours are from
one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset
. The hours for federal migratory birds, spring turkeys, and other species may vary.
What should you do as soon as possible after tagging game?
What should you do as soon as possible after tagging game?
Take it back to camp. Hang it up. Allow it to cool.
What is the first thing you should know to ensure successful recovery after an animal is shot?
A successful recovery requires:
Proper shot placement
.
Attention to visual and auditory clues immediately after the shot
.
The proper decision
on when and how to begin the tracking and recovery process.
What is the best shot angle for the largest game?
Bow:
The broadside angle
offers the best shot for the largest big game animals, such as elk, deer, and bear. For most big game, the aiming spot is straight up from the back side of the front leg, one-third of the way up from the bottom of the chest.
What are the four C’s of bowhunting?
Always make sure your actions are
courteous, considerate, capable, and careful
—the four Cs of hunting.
What is the first thing you should do before crossing a fence with a firearm?
Always unload guns before crossing fences
or other obstacles or before negotiating rough terrain. If alone, place the gun on the other side of the obstacle, cross, and pull the gun toward you by the butt.
What are the first three priorities if you become lost?
Remind yourself that most lost hunters are located within 48 to 72 hours. You will shorten the time if you follow the guidelines in this course and remember these three priorities:
shelter, fire, and signal
.
Where should you leave your hunting plan?
Before you depart, leave a hunting plan with
a family member or friend
. A hunting plan tells where and with whom you are hunting and when you expect to return. It also should contain specific directions on your route to your destination and any alternate destination you may have if bad weather changes your plans.
