Notes

Proper Field Carries—Trail Carry
Trail carry
Leaves a hand free for balance, but don’t use it when you’re behind someone. Not recommended when walking in snow or brush—debris can get in the barrel.



Proper Field Carries—Sling Carry
Sling carry
Easy carry for long treks through open country. Keep a hand on the sling when walking so that it doesn't slide off your shoulder if you trip. Not recommended for thick brush because the gun could be knocked from your shoulder.




Proper Field Carries—Elbow or Side Carry
Elbow or side carry
Comfortable, but it has the least muzzle control. It also can snag in brushy terrain. Use it when no one is in front of you.




Proper Field Carries—Two-Handed or "Ready" Carry
Two-handed or ready carry
Provides the best control, particularly in thick brush or weeds, or when you need to fire quickly. If you fall, gives you better control of the gun and helps you keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Can be used as either a right- or left-handed carry. Use only if your gun would not be pointed at others while walking side-by-side.




Proper Field Carries—Cradle Carry
Cradle carry
Comfortable and secure; reduces arm fatigue. Like the two-handed or ready carry, can be used as either a right- or left-handed carry. Do not use if your gun would be pointed at others when walking side-by-side.




Proper Field Carries—Shoulder Carry
Shoulder carry
Good choice when walking beside or behind others. Don’t use it if someone is behind you.




Proper Field Carries—For Three Hunters, Side by Side
Carry selection is based primarily on muzzle control and terrain.

Safe carries, with three hunters side-by-side
If three hunters are walking side by side, the ones at the sides may carry their guns pointing either to the side away from their party or to the front. The one in the center should keep the gun pointing to the front or up.




Proper Field Carries—For Three Hunters, Walking Single File
Carry selection is based primarily on muzzle control and terrain.

Safe carries, with three hunters in single file
If three hunters are walking single file, the one in the lead should have the gun pointed ahead but never over the shoulder. The one in the middle must have the gun pointed to the side. The hunter in the rear may point the gun to either side or the rear.




Proper Field Carries—For Hunters Facing One Another
Carry selection is based primarily on muzzle control and terrain.

Safe carry, hunter with dog
When facing another hunter, any carry is safe except the trail carry or forward-facing elbow or side carry.
Remember that the same rules for safe carry apply when your hunting companion is a dog.





Crossing Obstacles
Always unload guns before crossing fences or other obstacles or before negotiating rough terrain.

When crossing fences, logs, or other obstacles alone:
Unload the firearm.
Cover the muzzle or place something under it to help keep out debris.
Place the firearm on the other side of the fence or obstacle to be crossed, with the muzzle pointed away from you and your crossing point.
Cross the obstacle. If you are crossing a wire fence, cross close to a fence post to prevent damage to the fence.
Retrieve the firearm, keeping the muzzle pointed away from you.
Check the barrel for obstructions.
Reload and continue the hunt.
When crossing obstacles with others:
Stand back-to-back and unload both firearms.
Have one person hold both firearms, following the steps for passing a firearm to another person.
Let the person without the firearms cross the obstacle.
Hand both firearms to the hunter who has crossed. That person confirms that he or she has control of both firearms.
Let the second person cross the obstacle.
Return the firearm to the second person.
Stand back-to-back to reload and continue the hunt.




Checking for Obstructions
Always check that your barrel is clear of any obstruction, no matter how small. Stop immediately, and safely remove obstructions.

Hunter removing barrel obstruction
Point the muzzle in a safe direction.
Open the action, and make sure the firearm is unloaded.
Check for debris in the barrel. If the firearm is a break action, look through the barrel from the breech end, or use a barrel light to inspect the barrel for obstructions.
Remove any obstructions with a cleaning rod.
Check the barrel again to make sure no debris remains.
Clearing Plugged Gun Barrels



Loading Firearms
Even something as simple as loading or unloading a firearm can result in tragedy if it isn’t done properly. Here’s how to do it safely.

Hunters loading firearms
Point the muzzle in a safe direction.
If the firearm has a safety, put the safety on if you can open the action and load the firearm with the safety on.
Keep your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard.
Open the action; make sure the firearm’s chamber and barrel are clear and unobstructed.
Load the correct ammunition into the chamber or magazine.
Close the action.
Put the safety on if it is not on already.





What Is a Zone-of-Fire?
Safe Zone-of-Fire
The area in which a hunter can shoot safely is referred to as a zone-of-fire. Before setting off in a group, hunters should agree on the zone-of-fire each person will cover. A zone-of-fire depends on many factors, including the hunter’s shooting ability, the game being hunted, the hunting environment, and the hunting strategy being used.

A hunter’s zone-of-fire changes with every step. This is particularly true of groups hunting birds, rabbits, or other small game.
A hunter must never swing or shoot outside the safe zone-of-fire.
For safety purposes, it’s best to have no more than three hunters in a group. For new hunters, two is a safer number until they become familiar with maintaining a proper zone-of-fire.
Remember…
A hunter’s zone-of-fire changes with every step. It’s important to remain alert and aware of your companions’ locations at all times.





Determining Your Safe Zone-of-Fire
Hunters observing safe zones-of-fire
When hunting in a group with one or two other hunters, the hunters must walk abreast of one another, should be spaced 25 to 40 yards apart, and should always be in sight of one another.

Each hunter has a zone-of-fire which spans about 45 degrees directly in front of each hunter. (Some states require an adult to be immediately beside a youth hunter. In this case, the adult should be a supervisor only—not a hunter.)
A way to visualize 45 degrees is to focus on a distant, fixed object that is straight out in front of you. Stretch your arms straight out from your sides. Make a fist with your thumbs held up. Gradually draw your arms in toward the front until both thumbs are in focus without moving your eyes. This will give you your outer boundaries.
Safe Zone-of-Fire




Responsible hunters practice safe habits until they become second nature.

Hunter education course review and summary
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.
Hunter education course review and summary
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.
Hunter education course review and summary
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.

Hunter education course review and summary
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
Hunter education course review and summary
Six proper field carries hunters can use are trail carry, sling carry, elbow or side carry, two-handed or "ready" carry, cradle carry, and shoulder carry. Do not use the trail carry when you're behind someone. Do not use the elbow carry when someone is in front of you. Do not use the shoulder carry when someone is behind you.

Hunter education course review and summary
Carry selection is based primarily on muzzle control and terrain. When walking with others, be sure all hunters keep their guns pointing away from their companions.





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.
If two people are crossing, one person gives the other person both guns, crosses first, and then receives the unloaded guns from the other hunter.
Hunter education course review and summary
Occasionally you may trip or stumble in the field, accidentally dipping the barrel into the ground or snow. Immediately check for an obstruction.

Hunter education course review and summary
When loading or unloading a firearm, always point the muzzle in a safe direction and make sure the safety is on.

Hunter education course review and summary
Before transporting a firearm, always unload it and put it in a case. 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 window rack.

Hunter education course review and summary
The area in which a hunter can shoot safely is referred to as a zone-of-fire. Before setting off in a group, hunters should agree on the zone-of-fire each person will cover.

It’s best to have no more than three hunters in a group.
Everyone should wear daylight fluorescent orange.
Only one hunter should aim at a target.
Hunters should shoot only at game in front of them.
Hunter education course review and summary
Hunters should follow these other safety practices also.

Self-control and target identification – Only shoot when you are sure of your target and have a safe zone-of-fire.
Accuracy – Accuracy is essential for achieving a clean kill. Be sure you have a proper backstop before you shoot.
Alcohol and drugs – Avoid consuming alcohol or drugs before or during the hunt. It increases the risk of incidents.




Elevated stands place the hunter above ground level. They can be tree stands placed in or against trees, or free-standing structures. While they offer certain advantages, they also have some drawbacks, including a degree of risk.

Hunter education course review and summary
Portable tree stands are one category of elevated stands. These stands can be safe and environmentally friendly. Homemade stands should not be used. Commercial stands that are manufactured, certified, and tested to industry standards are best. Portable tree stands come in three basic types: hang-on stands, climbing stands, and ladder stands.

Hunter education course review and summary
Tripods, quadpods, or tower stands are similar to a ladder tree stand but are free-standing.

Hunter education course review and summary
When hunting from an elevated stand, you should use a fall-arrest system (FAS) that is manufactured to industry standards. Never use single-strap belts and chest harnesses. Make sure your FAS includes a full-body harness, tether, and suspension relief strap. You also need a lineman’s-style belt/climbing belt and a tree strap or a tree stand safety line system. Carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions for proper use of your FAS, and follow all safety guidelines.

Hunter education course review and summary
When you are in a tree stand, make sure you attach your FAS full-body harness to the tree.

If you should fall while in your stand:

Do not panic.
Signal for help.
Climb back onto the platform quickly.
Act to avoid suspension trauma if you must wait for rescue. Use your suspension relief strap, or keep moving your legs.
Hunter education course review and summary
Never carry your hunting equipment up or down the tree with you as you climb. Always use a haul line attached to your hunting equipment. Unload your firearm and open the action. Put arrows in a covered quiver secured to the bow.

Hunter education course review and summary
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 plan with family or friends.
Load the boat properly.
Make sure each person wears a life jacket.
Do not go if wind and water conditions aren’t safe.
Hunter education course review and summary
Before boarding the boat, unload and case each firearm. Place the firearm in the boat first. When duck hunting with two persons, sit back-to-back.

Hunter education course review and summary
To survive a water emergency:

Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved personal flotation device (life jacket) while you’re in the boat. Life jackets will keep you afloat and help you keep warm.
If you get caught in a storm and your boat swamps or capsizes, stay with the boat.
Hunter education course review and summary
Sudden immersion into cold water can cause immediate, involuntary gasping; hyperventilation; panic; and vertigo­—all of which can result in water inhalation and drowning. If you fall into cold water, don’t panic. Put on a life jacket immediately if you don't already have one on. Try to reboard your boat, or get as much of your body out of the water as possible.

Hunter education course review and summary
All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are special-purpose vehicles that require careful, responsible handling and good judgment. Carry firearms unloaded, cased, 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.