Ontario Hunter Education Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

Practice test 2 of 5 for the Ontario Hunter Education Practice Test: 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

Hunting
Ontario
124 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 of 25
In the "1-10-1" principle for falling into cold water, what happens in the first minute?
- You stop feeling cold because the body adjusts
- Cold shock: gasping and fast breathing that you must get under control
- You lose consciousness from the cold right away
- You can swim normally for a while, because the body has not cooled down yet
Show answer
Answer: B. Cold shock: gasping and fast breathing that you must get under control
After about 1 minute of cold shock, you have about 10 minutes of useful movement, and about 1 hour before hypothermia causes unconsciousness.
Question 2 of 25
How can hunters help slow the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer, elk and moose?
- Follow carcass movement rules and submit samples for testing when asked
- Ignore sick-looking animals and keep hunting
- Put out extra feed in winter so deer can gather in large, healthy groups
- Move whole carcasses to new areas to spread the risk
Show answer
Answer: A. Follow carcass movement rules and submit samples for testing when asked
CWD is a fatal disease. Rules on carcass movement and testing help agencies track and limit it.
Question 3 of 25
Where does blaze orange do the most good?
- On a backpack, so it can be taken off
- On the back only, since other hunters usually walk behind you in the woods
- On the boots and lower legs only
- On the head and upper body, visible from all sides
Show answer
Answer: D. On the head and upper body, visible from all sides
Rules such as Ontario's require orange above the waist, visible from all sides, plus an orange head cover.
Question 4 of 25
In the firearm safety rules taught in Canada (ACTS), what does the "A" stand for?
- Aim only at legal game
- Assume every firearm is loaded
- Always carry your hunting licence
- Avoid shooting near roads
Show answer
Answer: B. Assume every firearm is loaded
The first ACTS rule is to assume every firearm is loaded, even when someone tells you it is empty.
Question 5 of 25
To hunt ducks and geese in Canada, what federal document do you need in addition to provincial requirements?
- A federal fishing licence
- A boat operator card only
- A Possession and Acquisition Licence for ducks
- A Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit
Show answer
Answer: D. A Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit
Waterfowl hunters need a federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit. Saskatchewan's licence page reminds youth waterfowl hunters of this.
Question 6 of 25
In the PROVE routine, what does the "E" stand for?
- Examine the bore for obstructions
- Empty your pockets of loose cartridges
- Exit the vehicle before loading
- Eject the scope from its mounts
Show answer
Answer: A. Examine the bore for obstructions
The last PROVE step is to check that the barrel is clear. A blocked barrel can burst when fired.
Question 7 of 25
How should you treat frostbitten fingers?
- Rub them hard between your hands to get blood flowing
- Rewarm them gently, such as against warm skin, without rubbing
- Rub them with snow to bring back the feeling
- Hold them close to a hot fire or heater so they thaw out as fast as possible
Show answer
Answer: B. Rewarm them gently, such as against warm skin, without rubbing
Rubbing damages frozen tissue. Rewarm gently, and do not rewarm if the area may freeze again.
Question 8 of 25
You are lost and night is coming in cold, wet weather. What is usually your first priority?
- Finding food to keep your strength up
- Climbing the highest hill
- Walking out in the dark
- Shelter, to stay warm and dry
Show answer
Answer: D. Shelter, to stay warm and dry
Cold and wet can kill in hours. Food can wait for days.
Question 9 of 25
In which member of the deer family can both males and females grow antlers?
- Elk
- White-tailed deer
- Caribou
- Moose
Show answer
Answer: C. Caribou
Caribou are the only North American deer in which females normally grow antlers too.
Question 10 of 25
You pull the trigger and the firearm does not fire. What should you do first?
- Look down the barrel to see what went wrong
- Turn around and show the firearm to your partner
- Keep it pointed in a safe direction and wait before opening the action
- Open the action right away and shake out the cartridge before it can cool down
Show answer
Answer: C. Keep it pointed in a safe direction and wait before opening the action
A cartridge can fire late (a hang fire). Keep the muzzle pointed safely and wait before you carefully unload.
Question 11 of 25
When is the shoulder carry (muzzle up and behind you) a poor choice?
- When someone is beside you
- When you are at the back of the group
- When someone is walking behind you
- When you are walking alone
Show answer
Answer: C. When someone is walking behind you
The shoulder carry points the muzzle behind you, so use it only when nobody is behind you.
Question 12 of 25
What is the safe rule about alcohol, cannabis and other drugs while hunting?
- Do not use them before or while handling firearms or hunting
- A small amount is fine if you are an experienced hunter who knows your limits
- They are fine once you are settled in the tree stand
- They are fine as long as you only hunt with a bow
Show answer
Answer: A. Do not use them before or while handling firearms or hunting
Alcohol and drugs slow your reactions and affect your judgment, which leads to accidents.
Question 13 of 25
After unloading, how should you get the firearm to the other side of a fence when you are alone?
- Throw it gently over the fence onto soft ground
- Hold it over your head with one hand as you climb
- Lay it on the far side, muzzle pointing away, then cross away from the muzzle
- Lean it against a fence post with the safety on, then climb over right beside it
Show answer
Answer: C. Lay it on the far side, muzzle pointing away, then cross away from the muzzle
Laying the unloaded firearm on the far side, muzzle away, means you are never in front of the muzzle while you cross.
Question 14 of 25
Which federal course must you pass before applying for a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL)?
- A provincial boating safety course
- A provincial bowhunter education course and exam
- The Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC)
- A standard first aid and CPR course
Show answer
Answer: C. The Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC)
The CFSC student report form is the proof of completion needed before you can get a PAL.
Question 15 of 25
Which is an early sign of hypothermia?
- Shivering that will not stop, and clumsy hands
- A red, sweaty face and hot, dry skin
- Itchy skin on the arms and legs
- Feeling very thirsty and hungry
Show answer
Answer: A. Shivering that will not stop, and clumsy hands
As hypothermia gets worse, a person may stumble, mumble and become confused.
Question 16 of 25
In the elbow carry shown, the break-action gun is open over the forearm. Why is this a good choice near other people?
- It is the only carry allowed by law near others
- It keeps the barrel warm in cold weather
- Everyone can see the gun is open and cannot fire
- It is the fastest way to raise the gun and shoot
Show answer
Answer: C. Everyone can see the gun is open and cannot fire
An open break-action gun carried over the arm clearly shows it cannot fire, and the muzzle points at the ground.
Question 17 of 25
Which level of government manages migratory game birds, such as ducks and geese, in Canada?
- Each municipality
- The federal government
- Local hunting clubs
- Provincial governments alone
Show answer
Answer: B. The federal government
Migratory birds are managed federally under the Migratory Birds Convention Act.
Question 18 of 25
How should you approach a big game animal that is down?
- From the front, so you can check its head and eyes and see if it is still breathing
- Quickly and directly, with your firearm unloaded
- Run straight to it before it can get up again
- From behind and slightly uphill, watching for movement and ready to shoot again
Show answer
Answer: D. From behind and slightly uphill, watching for movement and ready to shoot again
An animal that is only stunned can get up suddenly. Approach carefully from behind and watch for signs of life.
Question 19 of 25
What should you do before using a tree stand each season?
- Nothing, as long as the stand worked well last year and has been left on the same tree
- Paint the whole stand blaze orange so others see it
- Inspect the stand, straps and harness, and make sure the tree is healthy and strong
- Only check that the seat cushion is still comfortable
Show answer
Answer: C. Inspect the stand, straps and harness, and make sure the tree is healthy and strong
Straps and parts wear out over time, and dead or leaning trees can fail. Check everything before you climb.
Question 20 of 25
Why should you never run a fuel-burning heater or stove in a closed tent or blind?
- It can produce deadly carbon monoxide
- Its smell scares away game nearby
- It uses up too much drinking water
- It makes the tent too bright at night
Show answer
Answer: A. It can produce deadly carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide has no colour or smell. Make sure there is good airflow.
Question 21 of 25
Before hunting on private land, what should you do?
- Park out of sight of the house
- Only call a conservation officer
- Get permission from the owner or occupant
- Nothing, as long as the land has no signs posted on it
Show answer
Answer: C. Get permission from the owner or occupant
You need the owner's or occupant's consent. In Alberta, occupied land is protected even without signs.
Question 22 of 25
What is the safest way to store hunting firearms at home?
- Unloaded on an open gun rack with the ammunition beside it
- Loaded in a closet for quick use
- Unloaded and locked, with ammunition stored separately
- In the vehicle all season
Show answer
Answer: C. Unloaded and locked, with ammunition stored separately
Storing firearms unloaded and locked, away from ammunition, keeps them away from children and thieves.
Question 23 of 25
Why is cotton a poor choice for cold-weather hunting clothing?
- Cotton clothing is not allowed by law
- Cotton is too bright and scares game
- Cotton is too heavy and stiff even when it is dry
- Cotton holds water and loses its warmth when wet
Show answer
Answer: D. Cotton holds water and loses its warmth when wet
Wool and synthetic fabrics keep more warmth when damp.
Question 24 of 25
When should you be connected to the tree when using a tree stand?
- Only when you stand up to take a shot
- From the moment you leave the ground until you are back on the ground
- Only while sitting on the platform, because climbing up and down is the safest part
- Only on windy days, when the tree is moving
Show answer
Answer: B. From the moment you leave the ground until you are back on the ground
Use a lifeline while climbing and a tether while in the stand, so you are protected the whole time.
Question 25 of 25
When an unloaded firearm is raised on a haul line, which way should the muzzle point?
- Up, toward you
- Toward the tree trunk
- It does not matter if it is unloaded
- Down, away from you
Show answer
Answer: D. Down, away from you
With the muzzle pointing down, it is never pointed at you as you pull it up.

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