Connecticut Hunter Education Practice Test 2026: Practice test 4

1. Question 1 of 25

   You hit an animal but it runs off. What is your responsibility?

   • AMake every reasonable effort to find it and finish it quickly
   • BAssume it will recover, since most wounded animals heal on their own
   • CShoot another one instead
   • DLook for a few minutes, then give up
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Make every reasonable effort to find it and finish it quickly

   Following up on every hit is a basic part of ethical hunting.

2. Question 2 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.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Look at the diagram. Which hunter is easiest for other hunters to see?

   • ABoth are equally easy to see
   • BThe hunter in the blaze-orange hat and vest (1 and 2)
   • CNeither can be seen
   • DHunter 3, because camouflage stands out well against trees
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The hunter in the blaze-orange hat and vest (1 and 2)

   Blaze orange stands out against woods and fields, so other hunters can see you.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Where should you aim for a quick, clean kill on big game?

   • AThe hindquarters
   • BThe neck
   • CThe heart-lung area
   • DThe head
   Show answer

   Answer: C. The heart-lung area

   The vital area is the largest target that kills quickly and wastes the least meat.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Why is "sky busting" (shooting at ducks or geese that are too far away) a bad practice?

   • AIt wounds birds that fly off and are never recovered
   • BIt uses too little ammunition
   • CIt is the best way to hunt geese, so it is not a bad practice
   • DIt is only bad on windy days
   Show answer

   Answer: A. It wounds birds that fly off and are never recovered

   Shoot only at birds within your effective range so you can kill cleanly and retrieve them.

7. Question 7 of 25

   If you get lost, what does "STOP" stand for?

   • AStop, Think, Observe, Plan
   • BShout, Turn, Off-trail, Panic
   • CStart, Turn, Open, Proceed
   • DSearch, Travel, Orient, Push on
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Stop, Think, Observe, Plan

   Staying calm and making a plan is the first survival step.

8. Question 8 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.

9. Question 9 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.

10. Question 10 of 25

    How should you help someone with mild hypothermia?

    • AGet them out of the wind and wet and put dry layers on them
    • BHave them sit in the wind
    • CGive them alcohol to warm them up
    • DRub their arms and legs hard to get the blood moving again
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Get them out of the wind and wet and put dry layers on them

    Warm them gently, never give alcohol, and get medical help for serious cases.

11. Question 11 of 25

    How do white-tailed deer antlers usually grow?

    • AThey fork, and each fork forks again
    • BThey grow straight back from the head with no points
    • CPoints grow up from one main beam on each side
    • DThey are flat and wide like a shovel
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Points grow up from one main beam on each side

    Mule deer antlers fork into branches. White-tailed deer points rise from a main beam.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Why should you field dress big game quickly?

    • ATo take better photos
    • BTo attract other deer
    • CBecause the law requires it within one minute
    • DTo cool the meat fast and prevent spoilage
    Show answer

    Answer: D. To cool the meat fast and prevent spoilage

    Body heat and bacteria spoil meat. Remove the organs and let it cool.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 of 25

    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.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Before hunting on private land, what should you do?

    • APark out of sight
    • BNothing, as long as there are no signs posted
    • CGet the landowner's permission, ideally in writing
    • DAsk a neighbor
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Get the landowner's permission, ideally in writing

    Getting permission builds good relationships and is required by law in many places.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 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.

18. Question 18 of 25

    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.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 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.

21. Question 21 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.

22. Question 22 of 25

    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.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Which animal position offers the best shot at the vitals?

    • AFacing toward you at long range
    • BFacing straight away
    • CRunning
    • DBroadside or quartering away
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Broadside or quartering away

    These angles give the clearest path to the heart and lungs.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 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.

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