California Hunter Education Practice Test 2026: Practice test 4

1. Question 1 of 25

   When should you fill out and attach your tag?

   • AWhen you get home
   • BOnly if a game warden stops you and asks to see it
   • CAt the processor
   • DAs soon as the animal is down, as your state's rules require
   Show answer

   Answer: D. As soon as the animal is down, as your state's rules require

   Tag rules vary by state, and many require you to tag the animal right away, before moving it.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Which of these is a limiting factor for a deer herd?

   • AA hard winter with little food
   • BA highway sign
   • CA full moon in the fall
   • DA new hunting license design
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A hard winter with little food

   Disease, predators, weather and food supply limit how much a population can grow.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Under the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, who owns wildlife?

   • AOnly hunters
   • BWildlife is held in public trust for all people
   • CThe landowner where the animal lives
   • DWhoever kills it
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Wildlife is held in public trust for all people

   Governments manage wildlife in trust for everyone.

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

   Where must your fingers be when you shoot a crossbow?

   • ABelow the rail, out of the string's path
   • BOver the top of the rail
   • CIn front of the bolt to help guide it
   • DOn the string
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Below the rail, out of the string's path

   A crossbow string can cause serious injury to fingers in its path.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Which is the best backstop for a shot?

   • AThe open sky above a wide field
   • BA pond behind the target
   • CA flat rock
   • DA hill or dirt bank behind the target
   Show answer

   Answer: D. A hill or dirt bank behind the target

   Dirt stops bullets safely. Water and rock cause ricochets.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 of 25

   What are the basic parts of wildlife habitat?

   • AFood, fences, roads and towns
   • BTrees, sun, rocks and snow
   • CWater, hunters, weather, predators and roads
   • DFood, water, shelter (cover) and space
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Food, water, shelter (cover) and space

   Animals need all four, arranged so they can reach them.

9. Question 9 of 25

   You hunt alone and reach a fence. What is your first step, as shown in the diagram?

   • AUnload the firearm and open the action
   • BLean the loaded gun on a post
   • CPass the loaded gun through the wires first
   • DClimb over while holding the firearm
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Unload the firearm and open the action

   Always unload before crossing a fence or other obstacle.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 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.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What does the Pittman-Robertson Act fund wildlife restoration with?

    • AAn excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition
    • BA tax on gasoline
    • CA tax on fishing boats only
    • DFines collected from poachers in every state
    Show answer

    Answer: A. An excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition

    The Act uses an 11 percent excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition.

13. Question 13 of 25

    You are calling turkeys and see another hunter coming toward you. What should you do?

    • AStay silent and completely still until they walk past your setup
    • BMake a gobble call so they know where you are
    • CWave your hand quickly
    • DCall out in a clear, loud voice to let them know you are there
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Call out in a clear, loud voice to let them know you are there

    Never wave or use a turkey call to alert a hunter. Your voice tells them you are a person.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 of 25

    You see someone poaching. What should you do?

    • ANote details from a safe distance and report it to a game warden
    • BConfront them with your firearm so they know you are serious about it
    • CFollow them home
    • DIgnore it
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Note details from a safe distance and report it to a game warden

    Wildlife agencies have tip lines, and accurate details help officers act.

16. Question 16 of 25

    In the diagram, why is shot 1 safe and shot 2 unsafe?

    • AShot 2 is safe because the house is far
    • BShot 1 is closer
    • CShot 1 ends in an earth bank; shot 2 is against open sky, with a house hidden beyond the ridge
    • DBoth are safe, because the hunter is kneeling and aiming very carefully at the deer
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Shot 1 ends in an earth bank; shot 2 is against open sky, with a house hidden beyond the ridge

    A safe shot has a backstop. Never shoot at an animal on a ridge or skyline.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Why should turkey hunters never wear red, white, blue or black clothing?

    • AThose colors are illegal for hunting clothing in every state during turkey season
    • BThose are the colors of a wild turkey gobbler's head and body
    • CThose colors scare turkeys away
    • DThose colors fade in the sun
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Those are the colors of a wild turkey gobbler's head and body

    Another hunter could mistake a flash of red, white or blue for a gobbler's head.

18. Question 18 of 25

    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.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Which feature helps identify a mule deer?

    • AA wide tail raised like a white flag when it runs away
    • BPalm-shaped antlers
    • CA narrow white tail with a black tip and large ears
    • DSmall, short ears
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A narrow white tail with a black tip and large ears

    White-tailed deer have a broad tail, brown on top and white underneath, that they often raise when running.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Why do states ask hunters to report their harvest?

    • ATo pick lottery winners
    • BThe data helps biologists set seasons and bag limits
    • CTo sell hunters' contact information to outdoor stores
    • DOnly to collect fees
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The data helps biologists set seasons and bag limits

    Harvest reports show how many animals were taken and where.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Which law, passed in 1918, protects migratory birds in the United States?

    • AThe Endangered Species Act
    • BThe Migratory Bird Treaty Act
    • CThe Lacey Act
    • DThe Pittman-Robertson Act
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act

    It put into effect a 1916 treaty with Great Britain, acting for Canada.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What should you carry while hunting in a state that requires hunter education?

    • AYour license and proof of hunter education (or a valid exemption)
    • BOnly your gun's receipt
    • CNothing, as long as you are hunting on private land with permission
    • DOnly your driver's license
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Your license and proof of hunter education (or a valid exemption)

    Texas, for example, requires hunters to carry proof of certification or deferral while hunting.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Where should hunter orange be worn to be most effective?

    • AOn the front only, where other hunters usually see you
    • BOn the boots only
    • COn the head and upper body, visible from all sides
    • DOn a pack only, so it can be removed
    Show answer

    Answer: C. On the head and upper body, visible from all sides

    Laws such as Pennsylvania's require orange on the head, chest and back, visible from 360 degrees.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Besides a harness, what should you take or do for tree stand safety?

    • ALeave your phone at home so it does not ring and scare game
    • BTell someone your plan and carry a charged cell phone
    • CHunt where no one can find you
    • DSkip the harness if the stand has a rail
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Tell someone your plan and carry a charged cell phone

    If you fall, people need to know where you are, and you need a way to call.

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