California Hunter Education Practice Test 2026: Practice test 6

1. Question 1 of 20

   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.

2. Question 2 of 20

   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.

3. Question 3 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.

4. Question 4 of 20

   In carry 2 of the diagram, a break-action shotgun is open over the forearm. Why is this a good choice when walking with others?

   • AIt keeps the shells warm and dry
   • BEveryone can see the gun is open and cannot fire
   • CIt is the only carry allowed by federal law when hunting in groups
   • DIt is the fastest way to shoot
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Everyone can see the gun is open and cannot fire

   The open action shows the gun is safe, and the muzzle points at the ground ahead.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 of 20

   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.

7. Question 7 of 20

   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.

8. Question 8 of 20

   What is the purpose of the lifeline (item 3) in the diagram?

   • ATo mark the tree so that other hunters know the stand is already taken
   • BTo keep you connected to the tree while you climb up and down
   • CTo pull up your gear
   • DTo tie your stand to the ground
   Show answer

   Answer: B. To keep you connected to the tree while you climb up and down

   Use a lifeline from the time you leave the ground until you are back down.

9. Question 9 of 20

   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.

10. Question 10 of 20

    A hunter focuses on doing things a certain way, such as hunting with a muzzleloader or a bow. Which stage is this?

    • AMethod stage
    • BTrophy stage
    • CShooter stage
    • DLimiting-out stage
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Method stage

    In the method stage, how you hunt becomes more important than what you take.

11. Question 11 of 20

    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.

12. Question 12 of 20

    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.

13. Question 13 of 20

    What did the Lacey Act of 1900 do?

    • AIt banned all hunting of deer in the United States for ten years to let herds recover
    • BIt started the duck stamp
    • CIt made it a federal crime to move illegally taken wildlife across state lines
    • DIt created the first national park
    Show answer

    Answer: C. It made it a federal crime to move illegally taken wildlife across state lines

    The Lacey Act was the first federal law protecting wildlife and helped end illegal market hunting.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 of 20

    What should you always do before a hunting trip?

    • ALeave a plan with someone: where you will be and when you will return
    • BPack only lunch
    • CGo to a new area without a map, because exploring is the best way to learn the land
    • DTurn off your phone
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Leave a plan with someone: where you will be and when you will return

    If you do not return, rescuers will know where to search.

16. Question 16 of 20

    In the tree stand diagram, what is item 1?

    • AA single chest strap
    • BA full-body harness
    • CA loose rope
    • DA waist belt
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A full-body harness

    Always use a full-body harness in a tree stand.

17. Question 17 of 20

    Two hunters reach a fence together. What is a safe way to cross?

    • AUnload both guns; one hunter holds them while the other crosses, then hands them over
    • BOne covers the other with a loaded gun
    • CBoth lean loaded guns on the fence
    • DBoth climb over at the same time while holding their loaded guns with the safeties on
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Unload both guns; one hunter holds them while the other crosses, then hands them over

    With actions open and guns unloaded, they can be handed across safely.

18. Question 18 of 20

    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.

19. Question 19 of 20

    Is it acceptable to leave edible game meat to spoil in the field?

    • AYes, at the end of the season
    • BNo. Wasting game is unethical and illegal in many states
    • CYes, for small game
    • DYes, as long as you take the antlers and the hide home
    Show answer

    Answer: B. No. Wasting game is unethical and illegal in many states

    Ethical hunters use the meat of the animals they take.

20. Question 20 of 20

    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.

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