Delaware Hunter Education Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   Why should you never dry-fire a bow or crossbow?

   • AIt only affects the sight
   • BIt makes the bow quieter and much less accurate
   • CIt wastes arrows
   • DIt can damage the bow and injure the shooter
   Show answer

   Answer: D. It can damage the bow and injure the shooter

   Without an arrow to absorb the energy, the bow can break.

2. Question 2 of 25

   When should you nock an arrow?

   • AWhen you leave your vehicle
   • BWhile climbing a tree stand, to save time later when game appears
   • COnly when you are ready to shoot at an identified target
   • DWhile walking through brush
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Only when you are ready to shoot at an identified target

   A nocked arrow can be released by accident.

3. Question 3 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.

4. Question 4 of 25

   How should you approach big game that appears to be dead?

   • AFrom behind and slightly uphill, watching for movement, ready for a follow-up shot
   • BQuickly, without your gun
   • CFrom the front, near the antlers, so you can look closely at its eyes and nose
   • DBy poking it with your foot from the front
   Show answer

   Answer: A. From behind and slightly uphill, watching for movement, ready for a follow-up shot

   A wounded animal can suddenly get up. Approach carefully and watch the eyes and chest.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What did the Dingell-Hart amendments of 1970 and 1972 add?

   • AA ban on all handguns
   • BA federal hunting license required in every state for all hunters over 16
   • CA tax on hunting dogs
   • DExcise taxes on handguns and archery gear, partly for hunter education
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Excise taxes on handguns and archery gear, partly for hunter education

   These taxes help pay for hunter education programs and target ranges.

6. Question 6 of 25

   How does a broadhead kill game?

   • ABy cutting blood vessels and organs, causing fast blood loss
   • BBy breaking the large bones of the legs and the shoulders
   • CBy poison
   • DBy shock
   Show answer

   Answer: A. By cutting blood vessels and organs, causing fast blood loss

   Arrows kill by bleeding, so they must hit the vital area.

7. Question 7 of 25

   What is a common distress signal?

   • AThree of anything, such as three whistle blasts or three fires
   • BWaving a hat once
   • CTwo short flashes of light
   • DOne long shout
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Three of anything, such as three whistle blasts or three fires

   Signals in threes are recognized as a call for help.

8. Question 8 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.

9. Question 9 of 25

   How can hunters help slow chronic wasting disease (CWD)?

   • AMove whole carcasses across the state to share the meat with family
   • BFeed deer in groups during the winter
   • CIgnore sick deer
   • DFollow carcass movement rules and have deer tested when asked
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Follow carcass movement rules and have deer tested when asked

   CWD is a fatal disease of deer, elk and moose.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 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.

12. Question 12 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.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 of 25

    A hunter is selective and judges success by the size of the animal. Which stage is this?

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

    Answer: B. Trophy stage

    In the trophy stage, quality matters more than quantity.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 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.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Why should waterfowl hunters learn to tell drakes from hens?

    • AIt only matters for geese, since all ducks have exactly the same limits
    • BDrakes are only legal in spring
    • CSome bag limits are different for males and females of the same species
    • DHens cannot be legally hunted anywhere
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Some bag limits are different for males and females of the same species

    Learning plumage and flight patterns helps you follow species and sex limits.

21. Question 21 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.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 of 25

    When climbing to a tree stand, how many points of contact should you keep?

    • ANone, as long as you climb quickly and keep your eyes on the platform
    • BTwo
    • CThree: two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand
    • DOne
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Three: two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand

    Three points of contact keep you steady if one hand or foot slips.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 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.

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