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Chapter One

Introduction To Hunter Education

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Why Hunter Education?

In South Carolina, all residents and nonresidents born after June 30, 1979, must successfully complete a hunter education course that is approved by the SC Dept. of Natural Resources before a hunting license is obtained. Also, many other states require that a person complete a hunter education course before buying a license and hunting in that state.

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Hunter Education �Funding Sources

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service provides federal aid to state wildlife agencies to support hunting-related projects. Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act funding established in 1937 by the Pittman-Robertson Act.

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Hunter Education �Funding Sources

Act funds selection, restoration, and improvement of wildlife habitat, and wildlife management research. Includes funding for hunter education and public target ranges.
Funds for Act come from federal excise tax on sporting arms, ammunition, archery equipment, and handguns.
Each state’s proportion of federal funds is based on area of state and number of licensed hunters.

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Test Question Review

If you are born after_____________ you must pass a Hunter Education Course before obtaining a hunting license.
What is the name of the act that provides Federal Aid to state wildlife agencies?

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Chapter Two

Be a Responsible and �Ethical Hunter

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Why Do We Have Hunting Laws?

During 19th century, many game animals were hunted nearly into extinction.
Thundering herds of buffalo that once roamed the plains reduced to about 800 head.
Beavers almost wiped occut.
Once plentiful elk, deer, and pronghorn had been reduced to a fraction of their original number.

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Carolina Parakeet

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Buffalo Skulls

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Buffalo Hides

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Why Do We Have Hunting Laws?

Game Conservation

These laws allow game to flourish by:

Establishing hunting seasons that limit harvesting
Limiting hunting methods and equipment
Setting “bag” limits on number of animals that can be taken
Establishing check stations and game tag requirements to enforce laws

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Why Do We Have Hunting Laws?

Know the Law

Ignorance of hunting laws not valid excuse for violating them. Hunter’s responsibility to review state game laws before hunting season.

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Out of 100 people … how many of them

would you guess are hunters?

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Why Do We Have Hunting Laws?

The Hunter’s Image Matters

About 5% of population hunts; roughly same percentage actively opposes hunting. Rest of population predominantly neutral.
Bad behavior by hunters could sway some of neutral crowd into anti-hunting camp.

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Hunter Ethics

Why Ethics Matter?

Approximately 5% of population hunts; roughly same percentage actively opposes hunting. Rest of population predominantly neutral.
Bad behavior by hunters could sway some of neutral crowd into anti-hunting camp.

The Hunter’s Image Matters

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Hunter Responsibility

What Is Responsibility?

Responsibility is defined as being able to answer for your actions and knowing the difference between right and wrong.

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Hunter Ethics

While hunting laws preserve wildlife, ethics preserve hunter’s opportunity to hunt.
Ethics generally cover behavior that has to do with issues of fairness, respect, and responsibility not covered by laws.
There are ethical issues just between hunter and nature.

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Hunter Ethics

Ask landowners for permission to hunt.
Treat livestock and crops as your own.
Leave all gates the way you found them.
If you notice something wrong or out of place, notify landowner immediately.
Leave land better than you found it.

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Hunter Ethics

Landowner Complaints About Hunters

Don’t get permission to hunt.
Don’t leave property the way they found it (for example, open gates).
Make too much noise. Shoot too close to houses.
Leave litter behind.
Don’t follow game laws.

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Rights vs. Privileges

A Right is something that you are guaranteed.

Examples: � Right to Bear Arms� Right to Free Speech Bill of Rights� Freedom of Religion

A Privilege is something you earn.�Examples:� Driving a Car� Membership in a Club

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Is Hunting a Right �or a Privilege?

Hunters are required to have a license.
If they break the law, their license may be �taken away.
The Bill of Rights guarantees the right to possess a firearm, NOT to use it.

Hunting Is a Privilege!

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Five Stages of �Hunter Development

Shooting Stage: Priority is getting off shot—can lead to bad decisions that endanger others.

Limiting-Out Stage: Success determined by bagging the limit—can also cause hunters to take unsafe shots.

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Five Stages of �Hunter Development

Trophy Stage: Hunter is selective and judges success by quality rather than quantity. Typically, focus is on big game. Anything that doesn’t measure up to desired trophy is ignored.

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Five Stages of �Hunter Development

Method Stage: Process of hunting becomes the focus. Hunter may still want to limit-out but places higher priority on how it’s accomplished.

Sportsman Stage: Success measured by total experience.

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Learning To Make Wise Choices

Involvement

A responsible sportsman becomes involved in efforts to make hunting a respected sport.
Includes teaching proper �knowledge and skills to �others, working with �landowners, and �cooperating with wildlife �officials.

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Test Question Review

Why do we have hunting laws?

What is the difference between Ethics and Laws?

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Chapter Three

Wildlife Conservation�And Management

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Wildlife Conservation

Wildlife conservation has evolved into a science, but goal remains essentially the same: to ensure wise use and management of available resources. Given right circumstances, living organisms we call renewable resources can replenish themselves indefinitely.
Preservation is another means of protecting or saving a resource. Both preservation and conservation are necessary to sustain resources for future generations.

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Wildlife Conservation

Habitat Management

The most critical aspect of wildlife conservation is habitat management.

Habitat loss presents the greatest threat to wildlife.

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Wildlife Conservation (cont.)

These five essential elements must be present:

The need for food �and water.
Cover is needed for �shelter as well as to �protect animals �while they are feeding, �breeding, roosting, �nesting, and traveling.

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Wildlife Conservation

Space is necessary for adequate food among wildlife, territorial space for mating and nesting, and freedom from stress-related diseases.
The ideal arrangement places food, water, cover, and space in small area so that animals minimize their energy use while fulfilling basic needs.

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Wildlife Conservation

Carrying Capacity

Resources in a habitat can support only a certain quantity of wildlife. As seasons change, food, water, or cover may be in short supply.
Carrying capacity is the number of animals the habitat can support all year long.
The carrying capacity of a certain tract of land can vary from year to year—can be changed by nature or humans.

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The Hunter’s Role in Wildlife Conservation

Since wildlife is a renewable resource with a surplus, hunters help control wildlife populations at a healthy balance for the habitat.

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Wildlife Conservation

Factors that limit potential production of wildlife include:

Disease/parasites
Starvation
Predators
Pollution
Accidents
It is the hunter’s role in conservation to help control wildlife populations at a healthy balance for the habitat.

Annual Reproduction

Weather

Human Development

Loss of Habitat

Old Age

Disease & Parasites

Predators & Hunting

Starvation & Accidents

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Wildlife Identification

Developing wildlife identification skills is a basic requirement for hunters.
Knowing key characteristics of animals will help you distinguish between similar species and between male and female of same species.
Mistakes can lead to illegal harvest of game or non-game animals.
To identify game properly, must learn to recognize key characteristics of the animal you’re hunting.

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Wildlife Identification

Common to categorize wild animals into groups that are similar. One way to group species:

Big game
Small game
Migratory birds
Other species

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Wildlife Identification (cont.)

Big Game Animals

White-Tailed Deer

Black Bear

There are three big game animals in SC. Hunting any of these requires the purchase of a big game permit.

Wild Turkey

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Wildlife Conservation

Carrying Capacity

Resources in a habitat can support only a certain quantity of wildlife. As seasons change, food, water, or cover may be in short supply.
Carrying capacity is the number of animals the habitat can support all year long.
The carrying capacity of a certain tract of land can vary from year to year—can be changed by nature or humans.

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Wildlife Identification (cont.)

Small Game Animals

SC is home to many different species of small game animals, both mammals (such as squirrels and rabbits) and birds such as the quail.

Eastern Grey Squirrel

Eastern Cottontail Rabbit

Northern Bobwhite

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Wildlife Identification (cont.)

Migratory Birds

Some birds are further classified into a group known as migratory birds. These birds migrate (or move) through many states and therefore must be protected by federal regulations. Doves and Waterfowl (Ducks & Geese) fall into this category.

Mourning Dove

Ducks

Geese

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Birds of Prey

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Test Question Review

What is Wildlife Conservation?
What is the greatest threat to wildlife?
What are the 5 essential elements all animals need?
What does carrying capacity mean?
What are SC 3 big game animals?
What is a migratory bird?

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Chapter Four

Know Your Firearm and Equipment

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What Is a Firearm?

Firearm: mechanical device that uses pressure from burning powder to force projectile through and out of metal tube.
Must understand:

How firearms work
Parts of firearm
Types of ammunition
How ammunition is fired
Ranges of various �firearms used for hunting

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What Is a Firearm?

Basic Parts of a Firearm

Modern firearms have three basic groups of parts.

Action
Stock
Barrel

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What Is a Firearm?

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What Is a Firearm?

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Common Features of Firearms

Firearm Actions

Firearms classified by their action type. Action is made up of parts that load, unload, fire, and eject the used shotshell or cartridge.
Actions are either single-shot or repeating styles.

Single-shot firearms must be reloaded each time fired.
Repeating firearms have extra cartridges or shotshells ready in a magazine, cylinder, or extra barrel.

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Common Features of Firearms

Bolt Action operates like opening and closing a door bolt. Bolt solidly locks into breech making it accurate and dependable.

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Common Features of Firearms

Lever Action has large metal lever located behind trigger. This handle usually forms trigger guard as well.

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Common Features of Firearms

Pump Action is fast and smooth. Allows shooter to re-cock without taking his or her eye off the target. Also referred to as “slide action” or “trombone action.”

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Common Features of Firearms

Semi-Automatic (or Autoloading) Action automatically ejects case of cartridge or shotshell and reloads chamber as each shot is manually fired.

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Common Features of Firearms

Break (or Hinge) Action operates on same principle as a door hinge. Simple to load and unload, a hinge action is often chosen as a hunter’s first firearm.

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Common Features of Firearms

Common Actions on Shotguns

Shotguns use many of same actions as rifles—bolt action, pump action, and semi-automatic action.
Also use break action as either single barrel or double barrels.
Double barrels can be arranged horizontally (side-by-side) or vertically (over-under).

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Common Features of Firearms

Common actions on Shotguns

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Common Features of Firearms

Safety Mechanisms

Safety mechanisms are devices that block the action to prevent the firearm from shooting until the safety is released or pushed to “off.”
Safeties are mechanical devices and subject to mechanical failure. Safeties can unknowingly be bumped from safe position.

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Common Features of Firearms

Typical Locations of Safeties

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Common Features of Firearms

Magazines

The place that stores ammunition that has not been fired in repeating firearms. By working the action, cartridge is picked up from the magazine and placed in chamber, ready to be fired.
Magazines designed with spring and follower that �push against cartridges to move them into the action. To check if magazine is empty, must either see or �feel follower; if you cannot, may be cartridge jammed in magazine.
Magazines may be either detachable or fixed.

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Common Features of Firearms

Sights

Devices used to line up muzzle with shooter’s eye to hit target. More critical on firearm that fires single projectile (rifle and handgun) than firearm that shoots a pattern of shot (shotgun).
Shotguns usually have simple pointing bead. Rifles typically have an open, aperture (peep), or telescopic sight. Most handguns have an open sight, although some specialized handguns have a dot or telescopic sight.

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Common Features of Firearms

Bead Sight: Simple round bead set into top of barrel near muzzle of a shotgun. Some shotguns have second, smaller bead about halfway back on the barrel. Shooter uses shotgun to “point” and follow a moving object. Bead used only for reference as shotgun is pointed and moved to follow flying or running targets.

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Common Features of Firearms

Open Sight: Combination of bead or post front sight and notched rear sight. Simple and inexpensive, allows quick sighting. To aim, center top of bead or post within the notch of rear sight and line up on target. Open sights can be fixed or adjustable.

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Common Features of Firearms

Telescopic Sight (Scope): Small telescope mounted on your firearm. Gathers light, brightening image and magnifying target doing away with aligning rear and front sights. Aiming device inside the scope called the “reticle.” To aim, simply look through scope and line up crosshairs, post, or dot with target. Telescopic sights provide the most accurate aiming.

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Differences Between Firearms

Main differences between rifles, shotguns, and handguns are barrels and type of ammunition used.

Rifle barrel: Long with thick walls with spiraling grooves cut into the bore. Grooved pattern called rifling.
Shotgun barrel: Long and made of fairly thin steel that is very smooth on the inside to allow shot and wad to glide down barrel without friction.

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Differences Between Firearms

Rifle or Handgun Barrel

Shotgun Barrel

grooves: The spiral �cuts in a rifled bore

lands: The ridges of metal

between the grooves in a �rifled bore

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Differences Between Firearms

A Rifle’s or Handgun’s Caliber

Caliber describes size of rifle or handgun bore and size of cartridges designed for different bores.

.45, .458

.44, .444

.40, 10mm

.357, .38, 9mm

.30, .30-06, .308,

.32, 7.62mm, 8mm

.270, .280, 7mm

.22, .223, .25,

5.56mm, 6mm

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Differences Between Firearms

A Shotgun’s Gauge

Shotguns classified by gauge, which is a measure related to diameter of the smooth shotgun bore and size of the shotshell designed for that bore.

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Differences Between Firearms

Shotgun Choke and Shot String

When shotshell is fired, pellets leave the barrel and begin to spread or scatter.
The farther pellets travel, the greater the spread of the group of pellets. Spread is called shot string.
The barrel has a choke that affects the shot pattern.

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Differences Between Firearms

Effect of Choke on Shot String at Various Distances

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Differences Between Firearms

Cylinder choke is an unconstricted barrel. Shot string spreads quickly.
Improved Cylinder has a slight constriction. Allows shot string to spread fairly quickly.
Modified choke has a moderate constriction. Pellets stays together longer, making the shot string denser and more useful at longer ranges.
Full choke has a tight constriction. Shot string holds together even longer.

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Match Firearms and Ammunition

Read the specific caliber or gauge designations on side of barrel. Match designation exactly. Shotgun barrels give gauge and length of chamber �(“12 gauge for 2 ¾-inch shells” or “20-gauge magnum for 3-inch shells”).

Gauge and length

of chamber

Data stamp

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Match Firearms and Ammunition

Safety practices that will help you avoid using the wrong ammunition are:

Purchase only correct ammunition.
Carry only correct ammunition �for firearm you’re using. Never �mix ammunition. Common �mistake involves putting �20-gauge shotshell into �12-gauge shotgun, �which causes an �obstruction.

20-gauge shotshell

lodged in a 12-gauge barrel

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What Is Ammunition?

Rifles and handguns use a cartridge containing a single projectile (bullet).
Shotguns use a shotshell containing either a single slug or a large number of small projectiles (shot or pellets).
The basic components of cartridges and shotshells are similar.

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What Is Ammunition?

Basic Components of Ammunition

Case
Primer
Gunpowder
Projectile
Wad

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What Is Ammunition?

Centerfire ammunition used �for rifles, shotguns, and handguns. Primer located in center of casing base.
Rimfire ammunition has primer contained in rim of ammunition casing. Rimfire ammunition limited to low-pressure loads.
The difference in the ignition of a rimfire and a centerfire cartridge is the location of the primer.

bullet

cartridge

case

gunpowder

rim containing

primer

Rimfire

Centerfire

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What Is Ammunition?

Shotshells

Shotgun shells (shotshells) use slug or shot as the projectile(s).

A slug is a solid projectile (usually of lead) used for hunting big game with a shotgun.
Shot are multiple pellets fired through shotgun barrel. Shot size adaptable to game being hunted.

shot

slug

shell case

wad with

shot cup

wad

gunpowder

primer

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What Is Ammunition?

Shotshells must match exactly the gauge and shell length specified by manufacturer. This information usually found on barrel of shotgun.
Shotguns may be chambered for 2 ½-inch, 2 ¾-inch, 3-inch or 3 ½-inch shells. This refers to length of shell after it has been fired.

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What Is Ammunition?

Hunter must choose correct type and size of shot for shotshell.

As the size of a target decreases, reduce the diameter of shot used.
The smaller the shot number, the larger the pellet diameter.
Shotshell marked as “magnum” means shell has more shot or more gunpowder than a regular shell. Magnum and regular shotshells are interchangeable if the correct gauge and shell length are used.

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What Is Ammunition?

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How a Firearm Works

How the rifle and handgun fire:
A cartridge is inserted into the chamber.
The action is closed and the firing pin is pushed back and held back under spring tension.
The trigger is pulled, releasing the firing pin, which moves forward with great force. The firing pin strikes the primer, causing it to explode.

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How a Firearm Works

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 the bullet travels out of the barrel. The bullet’s speed and escaping gases produce a “bang.”

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How a Firearm Works

How the shotgun shoots:

Shotshell is inserted into chamber.
Action is closed and firing pin pushed back and held back under spring tension.
Trigger is pulled, causing firing pin to strike primer producing a spark.
Spark ignites gunpowder. Gas converted from burning powder expands in the shell.

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How a Firearm Works

Gas pushes wad against shot; wad and shot are forced out of plastic body of shell.
Wad and shot leave barrel. Escaping gases produce a “bang.”
Shot and wad separate. Shot cluster spreads and forms a pattern.

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How a Firearm Works

How Ammunition Is Fired

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Know Your Firearm’s Range

Because of the rifling in the barrel, rifles are accurate at extreme distances. For example, the bullet from a 30-06 can travel 4.5 miles in seconds.

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Know Your Firearm’s Range

Although shot from a shotgun does not travel as far as a projectile from a rifle, most can travel well beyond 200 yards.

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Video

Chapter 1

Understanding Ballistics

4:58

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Storing Your Firearm

Firearms must be stored unloaded and in a locked location, separate from ammunition. Storage area should be cool, clean, and dry.
Store guns horizontally, or with muzzle pointing down. When guns stored upright, gravity pulls gun oil downward into action, forming sticky film. Oil also can drain onto stock, softening the wood. Do not use too much oil prior to storing your firearm.

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Storing Your Firearm

Guns should be hidden from view and locked.
Store ammunition in separate locked compartment, away from flammables.
Store ammunition in cool, dry place to prevent corrosion. Corroded ammunition can cause jamming and misfires.

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Test Question Review

What is a firearm?
What are the 3 basic parts of a firearm?
What is the action on a firearm?
What are the types of actions?
What is a choke?
How do you store a firearm?

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Chapter Five

Basic Shooting Skills

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Good Marksmanship �and Accuracy

Know Your Accuracy Limits

Ethical hunters know personal accuracy and limit shots accordingly.

Use an 8-inch paper plate to establish deer hunting shooting accuracy. Need to be able to hit paper plate consistently at same distance and from same shooting position you will be using when hunting.
Practice until confident. When hunting, limit shots to most accurate range.

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Rifle Firing

Sight Alignment

With an open sight, line up target with the blade or bead of the front sight with the notch of the rear sight.

With an aperture sight, line up target with the front sight within the rear peephole.

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Rifle Firing

With a telescopic sight with a crosshair reticle, line up target with the crosshairs of the sight.

With a telescopic sight with a dot reticle, line up target with the dot of the sight. Dot must be centered.

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Rifle Firing

Aligning an Open Sight

Front Sight

Target

Rear Sight

Sight correctly �aligned on target

Misaligned—bullet goes �high and left of target

Misaligned—bullet goes�right of target

Misaligned—bullet �goes high �of target

Misaligned—bullet �goes low �of target

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Rifle Firing

Sighting-In a Rifle

Rifle bullets travel in an arc, formed by pull of gravity. “Sighting-in” is process of adjusting sights to hit target at specific range.

10 yards

(bullet hits �below bull’s-eye)

25 yards

(bullet hits �above bull’s-eye)

100 yards

(bullet hits �on bull’s-eye)

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Rifle Shooting (cont.)

With open sights, the rear sight is moved in the same direction you want your shot to move on the target.
Moving shots from side to side is “adjusting for windage.” Moving shots up or down is “adjusting for elevation.”

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Rifle Firing

Firing Positions

Prone: Steadiest of four positions. Easiest to hold, and best position for mastering fundamentals of shooting—aiming, breath control, trigger squeeze, and follow through.

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Rifle Firing

Standing: Most difficult position for firing accurate shot since neither arm is supported. Rather than trying to hold barrel steady, try to keep movement of barrel as small as possible.

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Rifle Firing

Sitting: Both arms are supported by your legs. Next to prone position, this is steadiest position.

Kneeling: With only one arm braced, kneeling position is less steady than prone or sitting positions.

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Shotgun Shooting

Dominant or Master Eye

To determine dominant eye:

Form a triangular opening with your thumbs and forefingers.
Stretch your arms out in front of you.

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Shotgun Shooting

Focus on a distant object while looking through the triangular opening and keeping both eyes open.
Bring hands slowly to your face, keeping sight of object through the opening; opening will come to your dominant eye naturally.

If you’re not sure, close one eye at a time. The weak eye will see the back of your hand; the strong one will be focused on object in the triangle.

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Shotgun Shooting

Stand with feet spread shoulder-width apart and knees bent slightly so you are balanced. Bring left foot slightly forward (if right-handed shooter) and lean in same direction. Toes of forward foot should point toward target.
Keep knees slightly bent—easier to swing with moving target. Bent leg to the rear supports movements of your hips, allowing you to swing smoothly.

Shooting Stance

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Shotgun Shooting

When bringing shotgun to your shoulder, stock should be brought to your cheek first, then back to your shoulder.
When done properly, with head naturally erect, gun butt always should come to same spot on shoulder.

Shouldering the Shotgun

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Shotgun Shooting

Because targets usually appear suddenly and move quickly, there’s no time to “aim” a shotgun. It’s designed to be pointed, with the eye sighting along the top of the barrel or rib.
Sight is usually a bead on front of gun. Your eye must be in line with barrel, so it’s important to position your head properly on the stock.

Pointing

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Shotgun Shooting

Quick trigger action is important when hunting with a shotgun. Slap the trigger rather than squeezing it.
Continue the shotgun’s swing as you pull the trigger. Stopping the swing as you shoot will cause you to hit behind a moving target.

Pulling the Trigger

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Shotgun Shooting

Leading the Target

Swing-Through: Best for beginning student. Point shotgun at a moving target and �swing with it. �Increase speed of the �gun so muzzle passes �target, then fire— “swing through” target �and fire at blank space in front of target.

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Shotgun Shooting

Sustained Lead: More challenging because requires more experience. Estimate length of lead necessary to hit target, maintain that lead as you swing with target, fire, and continue swing.

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Test Question Review

What is the process of sighting in a firearm?
What are the 4 shooting positions?
What is the steadiest … and least stable?
What is the difference between a rifle and a shotgun?
What is the difference between a centerfire and rimfire amunition?

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Chapter Six

Basic Hunting Skills

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Planning and Preparation

Some steps you should take to prepare for a hunt are:

Educate yourself about game you’ll be hunting and its environment.
Obtain most current state regulations.
Buy appropriate clothing and gear for the environment.
Secure lease arrangements and permits (dogs and horses may require veterinarian’s certificate or current vaccination record).

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Planning and Preparation

Visit site in off-season to prepare blinds and cabin facilities.
Sight-in rifles, handguns, and bows; pattern shotguns.
Sharpen skills at shooting range.
Pack extra firearms, scopes, bow strings, etc.

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Hunting Strategies

Still Hunting

As the name implies, still hunting is staying in one location and waiting for game to come to you. In South Carolina, most hunters still hunt from a elevated tree stand.
If you still hunt effectively, game will be unaware of your presence but so will other sportsmen. To avoid being mistaken for game by other hunters, always wear daylight fluorescent orange.

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Hunting Strategies

Stalking

The difference between still hunting and stalking is that when stalking, you follow signs leading to a particular type of game, or close the distance to game already spotted.
Stalking requires total focus—remember to keep downwind, stay quiet, and stay alert and patient.

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Hunting Strategies

Ground Blinds

Makeshift or temporary structures located on the ground that conceal hunters.
Made of everything from �plywood to branches.
Situate blinds:

Downwind
Away from the sun
Where foreground and �background are safest

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Hunting Strategies

Elevated Stands

Tower stands are above-ground seats or blinds that conceal hunter above level of the quarry. Tree stands are stands placed in or against trees.
Check the condition of elevated stands routinely.

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Hunting Strategies

Game Calling

Effective technique for most animals. Skillful hunter uses sounds to attract animals close enough for an effective shot.

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Hunting Strategies

Driving

Involves group of hunters, some acting as “drivers” and others as “posters” or “blockers.”

Drivers spread out across a field or woods and push game out of cover.
Posters are at the end of the cover to intercept game pushed out by drivers.

Flushing

Involves using noise, movement, or dogs to cause game to become nervous and leave cover. When you vary your pace, your quarry may think it has been detected and be more likely to leave cover.

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Hunting Strategies

Dogs

Several breeds of dogs can be used for hunting different game species. Some dogs can be used to hunt several types of game animals.

Pointers
Retrievers
Spaniels
Hunting Hounds

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Hunting with Dogs

Turkey Hunting

Duck Hunting

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Vital Shots

Where To Shoot

For a clean kill, the most effective shots are delivered to an animal’s vital organs. In large game animals, organs lie in chest cavity behind front shoulder. Lung shot is most effective for big game.

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Vital Shots

Quartering-Toward: Animal is facing toward you, but at an angle. Animal is looking your way and likely will spot your movements.

Firearm: Angle presents clean shot to vital organs. Shot can be taken if gun is already trained on animal.
Bow: Shot opportunity is poor—should not be taken.

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Vital Shots

Head-On: Animal will certainly detect your movements with head-on shot angle.

Firearm: This shot can be effective if firearm is adequate and already positioned for the shot. However, head-on shots rarely result in clean kill and ruin a lot of meat.
Bow: This angle offers very poor shot selection and should not be taken.

Rear-End: This shot should not be taken by hunters using firearms or bows.

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Vital Shots

Approaching Downed Game

A downed deer or other large animal should be approached carefully from above and behind the head.

If animal appears dead, wait short distance away for a few minutes. Watch for any rise and fall of chest cavity.
Notice if eyes are closed—eyes of dead animal are usually open. You can be certain that animal is dead if eye doesn’t blink when touched with a stick.

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Vital Shots

If animal is still alive, finish it off with quick shot to base of ear. If you wish to mount head, place shot in heart-lung area. For bowhunters, only option is placing an arrow in heart-lung area.
Once animal is dead, �immediately tag it, �indicating date of kill. �Then begin field dressing.
In SC, deer tags must be �wrapped through hamstring �of rear leg.

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Field Care of Game

Field Care Basics

Three factors contribute to bacteria growth.

Heat is number one concern. Bacteria grow rapidly in a carcass, especially if it’s allowed to stay warm. Meat begins to spoil above 40°F.
Moisture encourages growth of bacteria.
Dirt can introduce bacteria.

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Video

Chapter 4

Staying Safe After the Shot

4:15

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Field Care of Game

Basic field dressing techniques help cool game by removing entrails, which lowers body heat by allowing air into body cavity. Best to field dress immediately.
Remember, it is important where you discard the entrails. Be sure to use an approved area, such as a “gut pit,” or take the animal to a commercial processor who can dispose of the entrails for you.
Sure way to ruin meat—as well as earn disdain of non-hunters—is to tie animal to hood or roof of car, where it’s exposed to heat, exhaust fumes, road salt, and airborne dust.

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Field Care of Game

Transporting Game

Keep dressed game cool and free of insects. Pack quarters in ice chests. Be sure to keep proper “evidence of sex” if required by your game laws.

Keep game covered to avoid offending others.

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Test Question Review

Where do you shoot a deer for a clean kill?
When and where must you tag a deer in SC?
What are the 3 factors that contribute to bacteria growth?
What is the basic field dressing technique?

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Chapter Seven

Primitive Hunting Equipment�and Techniques

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Know Your Muzzleloader

Flintlock Rifle

patch box

cock

flint

frizzen

rear sight

front sight

muzzle

butt plate

stock

set�trigger

(on some rifles)

trigger

lock plate

pan

key

forearm

ramrod

cock

cap

nipple

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Muzzleloader

Term given to early firearms because they are loaded from the muzzle or open end.

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Know Your Muzzleloader

In-Line Muzzleloader

bullet

recoil pad

striker

safety

breech cover

cap or

primer

(inside)

adjustable

sight

mounting �for scope

ramrod

stock

(often synthetic)

muzzle

Pyrodex® pellets

(optional)

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Know Your Muzzleloader

Muzzleloaders are usually rifles, but there are also smooth-bored muzzleloaders—shotguns. Shotgun muzzleloaders can have either single barrel or double barrels joined side-by-side.
Black powder is the only type of powder that should be used in muzzleloaders. Don’t use modern-day smokeless powders in black powder firearms—could cause serious injury.

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Muzzleloader Safety and Skills

Steps for Loading a Muzzleloader

Check for load and swab �bore dry.
Open bolt or breechblock �to install cap/primer.
Point in safe direction and close block.
Clear channel by firing cap.
Drop in powder or pellets.
Place bullet in muzzle.

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Muzzleloader Safety and Skills

Steps for Loading a Muzzleloader

Use starter to push bullet into muzzle.
Use ramrod to seat bullet completely.
Open bolt or breechblock.
Install cap or primer.
Close block, and either push safety to on safe or fire.

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Muzzleloader Safety and Skills

Firing a Muzzleloader

In-Line Muzzleloader: Point the gun in a safe direction, and retract �the bolt. Place a fresh percussion cap (or primer) on the nipple/breech-plug, and close the bolt. The gun is now loaded, cocked, and ready to fire.

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Muzzleloader Safety and Skills

Unloading a Muzzleloader

Unload a muzzleloader by discharging it into a suitable backstop. Do not fire into the air or into the ground at your feet in case the projectile ricochets.
When muzzleloader is unloaded, place ramrod or loading rod in barrel before leaning it against a good rest—this prevents debris from falling down barrel and blocking touch hole.

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Muzzleloader Safety and Skills

Cleaning a Muzzleloader

Firing a muzzleloader leaves corrosive residue inside barrel that causes pitting and reduces accuracy. Buildup of residue, called fouling, also will make loading difficult.
To avoid fouling, swab barrel with moist patch after each shot.
Thoroughly clean a muzzleloader after each shooting session.
Clean the gun’s lock periodically.

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Know Your Bow and Arrow

Modern bows can shoot arrows more than 200 yards, at speeds of more than 135 mph.
A bow is a short-range hunting tool. Shots usually limited to 40 yards or less. At this range, arrow penetrates and can even pass through an animal.
Most shots taken at 20 yards or less.

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Know Your Bow and Arrow

Common Bow Types

Longbow (Stick Bow): “Traditional” bow, has straight limbs that form an arc when strung.

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Know Your Bow and Arrow

Recurve Bow: Much like the longbow, but limbs curve back away from the belly of the bow, which can provide more power in a shorter bow than a longbow.

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Know Your Bow and Arrow

Compound Bow: Most popular bow for both hunting and target shooting. Wheels and cables attached to limbs to make it easier to hold at full draw. Able to propel arrow faster than longbow or recurve bow.

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Know Your Bow and Arrow

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Know Your Bow and Arrow

Field Point: Steel point used for target shooting and small game hunting.

Broadhead: Used primarily for big game hunting. Number of steel blades it contains may vary. Only arrowhead that may be used for big game hunting.

Common Types of Arrowheads

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Know Your Bow and Arrow

Mechanical (Expandable) Blade Broadhead: Blades retracted close to the ferrule before the shot. Upon impact, blades expand to expose cutting edges. Recommended for use only with bows rated �50 pounds or more because �most require additional �energy to open �upon penetration.

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Know Your Crossbow

Safe use of a crossbow requires following the safety rules for both firearms and bows.

Crossbows are legal for use as archery equipment during any archery season on state and private land in South Carolina.

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Bowhunting Safety and Skills

Bow Shooting Safety

Archers must obey these safety rules:

Release arrow only when path to target and beyond is clear.
Make sure there’s something to stop arrow if you miss—never shoot over horizon.
Avoid shooting arrow in general direction of another person.

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Bowhunting Safety and Skills

Don’t shoot straight up. Force of a falling arrow can penetrate a human skull.
Carry arrows in nocked position only when slowly approaching game—never nock an arrow or draw a bow if someone is in front of you.
Use haul line to raise bow and quiver into tree stand to avoid serious injury.

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Bowhunting Safety and Skills

Broadhead Safety

Broadheads must be kept razor-sharp for hunting—creates safety problem if handled carelessly.
Use special wrench to screw on broadheads.

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Bowhunting Safety and Skills

Broadhead Safety

Keep broadheads covered with �a quiver while traveling.
While dressing bow-killed game, remember that broadhead may remain in the animal. Use caution until all parts of broadhead are found.

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Chapter Eight

Be a Safe Hunter

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Ten Commandments �of Firearms Safety

Point muzzle in a safe direction.
Treat every firearm with respect due a loaded gun.
Be sure of 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 a a flat, hard surface or water.
Keep your finger outside of trigger guard until ready to shoot.
Check your barrel and ammunition. Make sure your barrel and action are clear of obstructions, and carry only the proper ammunition for your firearm.

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Ten Commandments �of Firearms Safety

Unload your firearms when not in use. Leave actions open; carry firearms in cases unloaded to and from shooting areas.
Point a firearm only at something you intend to shoot. Avoid all horseplay with a firearm.
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 to you by the butt, not the muzzle.
Store firearms and ammunition separately and safely. Store each in secured locations beyond the reach of children and careless adults.
Avoid alcoholic beverages before and during shooting. Also avoid mind- or behavior-altering medicines or drugs.

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