Colorado Hunter Education Practice Test 2026: Practice test 6

1. Question 1 of 20

   Why is non-toxic shot required for waterfowl hunting in the US?

   • ALead pellets left in wetlands can poison waterfowl that swallow them
   • BNon-toxic shot is quieter
   • CLead shot rusts
   • DLead is too heavy for most shotguns to fire safely at flying ducks and geese
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Lead pellets left in wetlands can poison waterfowl that swallow them

   Ducks and geese swallow spent pellets while feeding.

2. Question 2 of 20

   Which feature helps tell a grizzly bear from a black bear?

   • AA black bear is always black and is never brown or blond
   • BA grizzly has a shoulder hump and a dished face profile
   • CA grizzly is always brown
   • DA grizzly has taller, pointed ears
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A grizzly has a shoulder hump and a dished face profile

   Fur color is not reliable. Look at the hump, face profile, ears and claws.

3. Question 3 of 20

   Which state started the first mandatory hunter education program, in 1949?

   • ACalifornia
   • BFlorida
   • CNew York
   • DTexas
   Show answer

   Answer: C. New York

   Today every state offers hunter education, and most require it for new hunters.

4. Question 4 of 20

   How do wildlife agencies use regulated hunting?

   • ATo wipe out common species
   • BAs a tool to keep populations in balance with their habitat
   • CAs a replacement for habitat
   • DTo remove all predators, such as wolves and coyotes, from the state
   Show answer

   Answer: B. As a tool to keep populations in balance with their habitat

   Seasons and bag limits are set using population data so harvests are sustainable.

5. Question 5 of 20

   What is true about a firearm's mechanical safety?

   • AIt only works on rifles
   • BIt can fail, so it never replaces safe muzzle control
   • CIt also unloads the gun
   • DIt makes the gun completely impossible to fire by accident
   Show answer

   Answer: B. It can fail, so it never replaces safe muzzle control

   Safeties are mechanical and can wear out or break. Always control the muzzle.

6. Question 6 of 20

   What must migratory bird hunters register with in each state where they hunt?

   • AThe state driver's license office
   • BA national gun registry
   • CA local hunting club
   • DThe Harvest Information Program (HIP)
   Show answer

   Answer: D. The Harvest Information Program (HIP)

   HIP gives biologists the contact list they need to survey migratory bird harvest.

7. Question 7 of 20

   What did the Dingell-Hart amendments of 1970 and 1972 add?

   • AA ban on all handguns
   • BA federal hunting license required in every state for all hunters over 16
   • CA tax on hunting dogs
   • DExcise taxes on handguns and archery gear, partly for hunter education
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Excise taxes on handguns and archery gear, partly for hunter education

   These taxes help pay for hunter education programs and target ranges.

8. Question 8 of 20

   What is hypothermia?

   • ADehydration
   • BA high fever
   • CA dangerous drop in body core temperature
   • DA bad sunburn
   Show answer

   Answer: C. A dangerous drop in body core temperature

   Wind, wet clothes and cold water pull heat from the body fast.

9. Question 9 of 20

   What is the difference between antlers and true horns?

   • AAntlers are shed every year; true horns usually grow for life
   • BHorns are shed every spring
   • CThere is no difference
   • DAntlers are made of keratin, like fingernails, and are never shed
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Antlers are shed every year; true horns usually grow for life

   Deer, elk and moose grow antlers. Bison, sheep and goats grow horns.

10. Question 10 of 20

    What should you check before using a tree stand?

    • AThe stand, straps and harness for wear, and the tree for damage or weakness
    • BOnly the color of the stand
    • COnly the seat padding
    • DNothing, as long as it worked last year and has stayed on the same tree since then
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The stand, straps and harness for wear, and the tree for damage or weakness

    Make sure the tree can hold both the stand and you.

11. Question 11 of 20

    What should you do right after shooting at a deer?

    • AShoot again into the brush where it went, to make sure it stays down for good
    • BChase it right away so it cannot get far
    • CWatch where it goes, mark where it stood, and wait quietly before tracking
    • DLeave if it did not fall
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Watch where it goes, mark where it stood, and wait quietly before tracking

    Waiting lets a hit animal lie down nearby, and marking the spot helps you find the trail.

12. Question 12 of 20

    In what year did Congress pass the Pittman-Robertson Act (Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act)?

    • A1918
    • B1900
    • C1964
    • D1937
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 1937

    The 1937 Act sends money from excise taxes to state wildlife agencies.

13. Question 13 of 20

    Why should heaters never be used in a closed blind or tent without ventilation?

    • AThey can produce deadly carbon monoxide
    • BThey scare game
    • CThey use up too much fuel too fast
    • DThey melt the blind
    Show answer

    Answer: A. They can produce deadly carbon monoxide

    Carbon monoxide has no color or smell.

14. Question 14 of 20

    When do many tree stand falls happen?

    • AWhile climbing up or down, or getting into or out of the stand
    • BOnly after dark
    • COnly on ladder stands that are more than 20 years old and rusty
    • DOnly while sleeping in the stand
    Show answer

    Answer: A. While climbing up or down, or getting into or out of the stand

    Moving between the ladder or steps and the platform is a risky time, so stay connected the whole way.

15. Question 15 of 20

    A hunter enjoys the whole experience, shares it and helps teach others. Which stage is this?

    • ALimiting-out stage
    • BSportsman stage
    • CTrophy stage
    • DShooter stage
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Sportsman stage

    The sportsman stage values the full outdoor experience and passing on skills.

16. Question 16 of 20

    How should you hand a firearm to another person?

    • AMuzzle first
    • BUnloaded, with the action open and the muzzle pointed safely
    • CBy tossing it gently
    • DWith the action closed and the safety on, so it is ready to use
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Unloaded, with the action open and the muzzle pointed safely

    An open action lets the other person see that the firearm cannot fire.

17. Question 17 of 20

    You are hanging in your harness after a fall. Why must you act quickly?

    • AYou will scare deer away from the area for the rest of the hunting season
    • BIt is not urgent
    • CHanging still can cut off blood flow to the legs and become life-threatening
    • DThe harness will tear in a few seconds
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Hanging still can cut off blood flow to the legs and become life-threatening

    Use a suspension relief strap to stand and move your legs, and call for help.

18. Question 18 of 20

    A new hunter mostly wants chances to shoot, whether or not anything is hit. Which stage of hunter development is this?

    • ASportsman stage
    • BShooter stage
    • CTrophy stage
    • DMethod stage
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Shooter stage

    Hunter education describes five stages: shooter, limiting-out, trophy, method and sportsman.

19. Question 19 of 20

    When climbing to a tree stand, how many points of contact should you keep?

    • ANone, as long as you climb quickly and keep your eyes on the platform
    • BTwo
    • CThree: two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand
    • DOne
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Three: two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand

    Three points of contact keep you steady if one hand or foot slips.

20. Question 20 of 20

    What should duck hunters wear in a boat?

    • AHeavy waders only
    • BNothing extra
    • CA life jacket only if they cannot swim
    • DA life jacket (PFD) at all times
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A life jacket (PFD) at all times

    A fall overboard into cold water can quickly become deadly, and a life jacket only helps if you are wearing it.

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The real test: Test-out exam (hunters 50+ and qualifying military): 90% or better