Hunter Education Practice Test (US) 2026

1. Question 1 of 25

   In the TAB-K firearm safety rules, what does the "T" stand for?

   • ATreat every firearm as if it is loaded
   • BTake the safety off before you start walking
   • CTest-fire the gun before every hunt
   • DTell your partner when you see game
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Treat every firearm as if it is loaded

   The first rule is to treat every firearm as loaded, even if you think it is empty.

2. Question 2 of 25

   In the TAB-K rules, what does the "A" stand for?

   • AAim only at moving targets
   • BAlways carry your license and your tags with you
   • CAvoid hunting alone in the woods
   • DAlways point the muzzle in a safe direction
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Always point the muzzle in a safe direction

   Muzzle control is the most important habit. If a gun fires by accident, nobody gets hurt.

3. Question 3 of 25

   In the TAB-K rules, what does the "B" stand for?

   • ABlend in with camouflage from head to toe
   • BBe certain of your target and what is in front of and beyond it
   • CBring extra ammunition on every trip
   • DBuy a new license before each trip into the field, even if your old one is valid
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Be certain of your target and what is in front of and beyond it

   You are responsible for every shot, including where it goes if it misses or passes through.

4. Question 4 of 25

   In the TAB-K rules, what does the "K" stand for?

   • AKeep your finger outside the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot
   • BKneel before every shot
   • CKnow the season dates
   • DKeep the gun loaded in the truck so you are ready the moment you see game
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot

   Resting a finger on the trigger while walking can cause an unintended shot.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Almost all hunting incidents involve what?

   • AAn attack by a wounded animal
   • BA broken firearm that fires on its own without anyone touching the trigger
   • CBreaking one or more of the basic TAB-K safety rules
   • DBad weather and poor visibility
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Breaking one or more of the basic TAB-K safety rules

   Wisconsin DNR notes that virtually all hunting incidents involve a violation of at least one TAB-K rule.

6. Question 6 of 25

   A hunting partner hands you a shotgun and says it is unloaded. What should you do?

   • ALook into the muzzle to check the barrel
   • BPoint it in a safe direction and check the chamber and magazine yourself
   • CPull the trigger once to be sure
   • DTrust your partner and close the action right away so dirt cannot get inside
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Point it in a safe direction and check the chamber and magazine yourself

   Never take anyone's word that a gun is unloaded. Check it yourself with the muzzle pointed safely.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Which direction is a "safe direction" to point a firearm?

   • AAlways straight up, since bullets fired into the air cannot come back down with force
   • BToward your hunting partner's feet
   • CAlways at your feet
   • DOne where an accidental shot could not injure anyone or damage property
   Show answer

   Answer: D. One where an accidental shot could not injure anyone or damage property

   What is safe depends on the situation. Think about people, buildings and hard surfaces.

8. Question 8 of 25

   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.

9. Question 9 of 25

   You see movement and hear a noise in the brush. What should you do?

   • AFire a warning shot
   • BWait until you can clearly see and identify the animal
   • CFire at the sound, since deer are the only animals there
   • DShoot quickly before it leaves
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Wait until you can clearly see and identify the animal

   Never shoot at sound, movement or color. Hunters are sometimes mistaken for game.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Which ammunition should you use?

    • AWhatever is cheapest
    • BAny shell that fits in the chamber and lets the action close
    • CAny shell of a similar length
    • DOnly ammunition that matches the data stamp on the barrel
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Only ammunition that matches the data stamp on the barrel

    The barrel is stamped with its gauge or caliber. The wrong ammunition can cause a dangerous failure.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Why is it dangerous to carry 20-gauge shells while hunting with a 12-gauge shotgun?

    • AThey make the gun shoot too far
    • B20-gauge shells are illegal for all types of hunting in every state and territory
    • CThey will not fit in the magazine
    • DA 20-gauge shell can lodge in the 12-gauge barrel, which can burst if fired
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A 20-gauge shell can lodge in the 12-gauge barrel, which can burst if fired

    Carry only one type of ammunition, the one marked on your barrel.

12. Question 12 of 25

    You fall and snow gets into the muzzle. What should you do before shooting again?

    • AUnload and check that the barrel is clear
    • BFire a shot to clear it
    • CShake it and keep hunting
    • DBlow into the muzzle to push the snow out
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Unload and check that the barrel is clear

    A blocked barrel can burst when fired. Always check the bore after a fall.

13. Question 13 of 25

    You pull the trigger and nothing happens. What should you do first?

    • ATurn to show your partner
    • BOpen the action right away and look inside the chamber to see what went wrong
    • CLook down the barrel
    • DKeep the muzzle in a safe direction and wait before opening the action
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Keep the muzzle in a safe direction and wait before opening the action

    A cartridge may fire late (a hang fire). Wait with the muzzle pointed safely, then unload carefully.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Which of these is a safe rule about alcohol and drugs?

    • ADo not use them before or during hunting or shooting
    • BThey are fine if you hunt with a bow
    • CA little is fine for experienced hunters who know their limits
    • DThey are fine in a tree stand
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Do not use them before or during hunting or shooting

    Alcohol and drugs slow reactions and hurt judgment.

15. Question 15 of 25

    What is the safest way to store firearms at home?

    • AUnloaded and locked, with ammunition stored separately
    • BLoaded in a closet
    • CUnloaded on an open rack, with the ammunition on the shelf beside it
    • DLoaded under the bed for quick use
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Unloaded and locked, with ammunition stored separately

    Locked, unloaded storage keeps firearms away from children and unauthorized people.

16. Question 16 of 25

    How should firearms be carried in a vehicle?

    • ALoaded on the seat
    • BWith a round in the chamber
    • CLoaded with the safety on
    • DUnloaded, and in a case
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Unloaded, and in a case

    Many states ban loaded firearms in vehicles. Pennsylvania, for example, bans a loaded firearm in, on or against any motor vehicle.

17. Question 17 of 25

    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.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Why should you never shoot at water or a flat, hard surface?

    • AThe noise carries much farther and scares away all game
    • BThe bullet or pellets can ricochet in a new direction
    • CIt is only a problem with rifles
    • DIt will damage your scope
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The bullet or pellets can ricochet in a new direction

    Water, rocks and pavement can make projectiles bounce toward people.

19. Question 19 of 25

    About how far can a .22 Long Rifle bullet travel?

    • ALess than a quarter mile
    • BAbout 50 yards
    • CMore than a mile
    • DAbout 100 yards
    Show answer

    Answer: C. More than a mile

    Even small rifle bullets can travel a long way, so you must know what is far beyond your target.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What should you do before you climb a steep bank, jump a ditch or get into a boat?

    • APut the safety on and keep it loaded
    • BUnload your firearm
    • CHold the barrel for balance
    • DPut your finger on the trigger
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Unload your firearm

    Unload whenever there is a chance you could slip or fall.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Three hunters walk side by side, numbered 1, 2 and 3 from left to right. Where may hunter 1 shoot?

    • AStraight ahead and to the right
    • BBehind the line
    • COnly into the zone ahead and to the left
    • DAnywhere game appears, as long as it is safe
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Only into the zone ahead and to the left

    Each hunter has a zone of fire that does not overlap the others. Hunter 1 covers ahead and to the left.

22. Question 22 of 25

    A rabbit runs from hunter 2's zone into hunter 1's zone. What should hunter 2 do?

    • AStop and not shoot outside their own zone
    • BStep in front of hunter 1
    • CShout a warning to hunter 1 and then shoot quickly
    • DSwing with the rabbit and shoot
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stop and not shoot outside their own zone

    Swinging the muzzle into a partner's zone is a common cause of hunting incidents.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Which field carry gives the best control of the firearm?

    • AThe sling carry
    • BThe one-hand trail carry
    • CThe shoulder carry
    • DThe two-hand (ready) carry
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The two-hand (ready) carry

    With both hands on the gun and the muzzle up and ahead, you have full control and can raise it quickly.

24. Question 24 of 25

    When should you NOT use the shoulder carry, which points the muzzle up and behind you?

    • AWhen someone is beside you
    • BWhen you are at the back of the group
    • CWhen walking alone
    • DWhen someone is walking behind you
    Show answer

    Answer: D. When someone is walking behind you

    Choose a carry that keeps the muzzle away from everyone around you.

25. Question 25 of 25

    When should you NOT use the trail carry, which points the muzzle ahead and down?

    • AWhen someone is walking behind you on the trail
    • BWhen someone is walking in front of you
    • CWhen you are alone in an open field
    • DWhen you are on a road
    Show answer

    Answer: B. When someone is walking in front of you

    In the trail carry, the muzzle points ahead, toward anyone in front.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: Set by each state (for example, 80% in Michigan and Missouri)