Michigan Hunter Education Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 of 25

   How should the tree strap and tether be set?

   • AAt knee height
   • BTied to the platform
   • CAbove head height with little slack
   • DLoose, so you can lean out to shoot
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Above head height with little slack

   A short tether above your head keeps any fall short so you can get back on the stand.

2. Question 2 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.

3. Question 3 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.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Before you shoot, what must you know about the animal?

   • AOnly that it is on public land
   • BIts species, and that its sex or antlers are legal for your license or tag
   • COnly that it is moving away from you and not toward any other hunters
   • DOnly that it is large
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Its species, and that its sex or antlers are legal for your license or tag

   Licenses and tags often apply to one species, sex or antler type.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What nearly happened to the American bison by the late 1800s?

   • AIt was almost wiped out by unregulated killing
   • BIt became a farm animal only
   • CIt spread across the whole continent, from coast to coast
   • DNothing changed
   Show answer

   Answer: A. It was almost wiped out by unregulated killing

   Bison numbers fell from millions to very few. Protection helped them recover.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Since 1934, what federal stamp must waterfowl hunters age 16 and older buy?

   • AA federal fishing stamp
   • BThe Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp)
   • CA national park pass
   • DA federal deer and turkey stamp
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp)

   Duck Stamp money buys and protects wetland habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System.

7. Question 7 of 25

   You are lost in cold, wet weather as night falls. What is usually your first priority?

   • AWalking out in the dark
   • BShelter to stay warm and dry
   • CClimbing a tall tree
   • DFinding food to keep up your energy
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Shelter to stay warm and dry

   You can survive days without food but only hours without protection from cold and wet.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Who is often called the father of wildlife management?

   • ADaniel Boone
   • BJohn James Audubon
   • CTheodore Roosevelt
   • DAldo Leopold
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Aldo Leopold

   Leopold wrote the textbook Game Management in 1933.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Why should a bowhunter usually wait before tracking a hit animal?

   • AArrows only work after about an hour
   • BAn animal that is pushed may run far and leave less blood
   • CIt is required by federal law for all bowhunters in every state
   • DTo let other hunters go first
   Show answer

   Answer: B. An animal that is pushed may run far and leave less blood

   Giving the animal time to lie down makes recovery more likely.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Why is cotton a poor choice in cold, wet weather?

    • AIt is too warm
    • BIt soaks up water and loses its insulation when wet
    • CIt is too bright
    • DIt is banned for hunting clothing in most states
    Show answer

    Answer: B. It soaks up water and loses its insulation when wet

    Wool and synthetics keep more warmth when damp.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What is carrying capacity?

    • AThe amount of gear in a truck
    • BThe weight a hunter can safely carry out of the woods
    • CThe number of hunters allowed
    • DThe number of animals a habitat can support over time
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The number of animals a habitat can support over time

    When animals exceed carrying capacity, habitat is damaged and animals suffer.

13. Question 13 of 25

    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.

14. Question 14 of 25

    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.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Which animal has broad, flat (palmated) antlers?

    • AElk
    • BWhite-tailed deer
    • CPronghorn
    • DMoose
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Moose

    Bull moose have large, palm-shaped antlers.

16. Question 16 of 25

    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.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Besides blaze orange, which bright color do some states, such as Wisconsin, now allow for hunter safety clothing?

    • ADark green
    • BBright red
    • CFluorescent pink
    • DSky blue
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Fluorescent pink

    Wisconsin allows blaze orange or fluorescent pink during firearm seasons.

18. Question 18 of 25

    How should broadhead-tipped arrows be carried?

    • AIn a back pocket
    • BIn a quiver with a hood that covers the broadheads
    • CLoose in your hand
    • DTucked in your belt, with the sharp tips pointing down
    Show answer

    Answer: B. In a quiver with a hood that covers the broadheads

    Broadheads are razor sharp and can cause serious cuts in a fall.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Which is an early sign of hypothermia?

    • AExtreme thirst
    • BUncontrolled shivering and clumsy hands
    • CItchy skin
    • DA red, sweaty face
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Uncontrolled shivering and clumsy hands

    As it gets worse, a person may stumble, slur words and become confused.

20. Question 20 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.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Which animal has a large tan rump patch and a dark brown neck?

    • AWhite-tailed deer
    • BMoose
    • CBlack bear
    • DElk
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Elk

    Elk have a light rump patch, a darker neck and long, curved antlers on bulls.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Which species is a well-known conservation success story, restored with help from hunter-funded programs?

    • ACarolina parakeet
    • BGreat auk
    • CPassenger pigeon
    • DWild turkey
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Wild turkey

    Wild turkeys were restored to most of their former range through trapping, moving birds and habitat work.

23. Question 23 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.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 of 25

    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.

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

The real test: 80% or better on the written test