Hunters Ed Field Test

[EmeraldBullet]

First off I would like to apologize for posting this here. I tried browsing the different topic areas but I couldn't figure out where this post should go, and as I would like to target a blacktail for my first hunt I figured posting here might be ok...

So I finished my hunters ed online course stuff and passed the written test. I signed up for an upcoming field test but I am hopinh someone can clue me in as to what I will actually be expected to do during the field test. Any advice and help is welcome!

I saw that you don't bring your own firearms, and this makes me nervous, as I don't have the most firing experience with different firearms. Will I be expected to safely load and unload any type of gun they gun they have there (there's so many different types, and I cannot really practice since I don't know what types they will have)?

I also know I need to practice the different carrying positions a little more but I'm not too worried about that part.

What else do they have you do? Thanks so much for the help.

[Bob33]

Don't point a gun in an unsafe direction. Period. If you do that you will pass.

[EmeraldBullet]

Thank you Bob33. I think I can manage that.

Thanks for replying so quickly to all my beginner questions, you have been a big help to me.

[brew]

i'm a HE instructor and have done many classroom as well as field day classes...Bob33 is correct--muzzle control at all times--we are not trying to "trick" you to fail a person we just want to see that you can be safe with any firearm that you come in contact with...we don't expect you to be an expert in any type of weapon action (in my class we demonstrate how to safely opertate all of them)...as long as you can handle them safely--muzzle control--you should not have any issues...thank you for taking the class and good luck in hunting this year and many years to come...

brew

[HunterofWA]

When I took Hunter's ed. I was eight. And I passed. Bassically what the guys are looking for is, patients, A LOT of respect to them, and the weapons being dealt with, and overall muzzle safety. One more thing, If you have a dud shell, DON'T point the gun away from the target. I had one guy in my class that had that happen to him and in the end it did fire (thankfully he was kept pointing at the target!)
Just my  good Luck! 

[steen]

I teach hunter safety and #1 is muzzle control. Carry positions for me is not something you have to "know" but can learn. During the carry part I am watching for muzzle control again. Also loading and unloading at appropriate times and muzzle control, picking up dropped ammo (which can go off!!!), muzzle control. So as you can see every test is really about muzzle control.... and keeping you finger off the trigger.

[Stein]

Don't worry, listen to what they say and if you have any doubt just ask before you act.

My 7 year old son aced it and my daughter was 7 when she went through as well.  Safety is what is tested, not accuracy.  You can take four hours to run through the drill and miss the target by 5' and still pass if you do it safely.

Once was with a single shot .22 and the other was with a 20 gauge.

[EmeraldBullet]

Thank you all for the advice. You have relieved my worries by a lot. I'm happy to have learned that they don't need you to be an expert on every configuration of firearm, but rather focus on safety at all times.

Safety at all times has always been my focus. Even though I am fairly new to firearms, I have shown several friends how to fire that have never had before, and at times that has been scary (I have experience tutoring math and science but I am not a firearm instructor). Right away after I first learned how to shoot, lots of my friends also wanted to learn how to do it. I shouldn't have been the person to teach them at first but I have gotten better (at shooting and teaching it) and those scary moments taught me right away that emphasis on safe pointing is the most important thing. I firmly believe in gun ownership rights and being responsible with your firearm is #1 to me, I don't want to be one of those guys that makes responsible owners look bad.

Hunting though is an entirely different thing than firing at a range. I feel good about my shooting abilities and I feel ok about teaching a friend to shoot at a range. BUT, hunting is not shooting at a range.

Not gonna lie, I don't feel confident about field dressing (and in my opinion if you cannot preserve the meat/useful parts, why shoot it?) And I also am nervous about firing a bullet in a wooded area where other hunters could be (I know they have to wear some hunter orange and stuff, but still makes me nervous).

After I get my hunting license, I wouldn't mind shadowing an experienced hunter for the first season. I'm not in a rush to make my first kill, I just want to do it right. Not sure if anyone would be willing to take me on but figure it's worth posting and seeing. Anyone need a guy to help haul gear I would love to be an apprentice.

[EmeraldBullet]

Also, I've heard bad stories of people getting busted for hunting with their friends that don't have a license or deferment. One of my main hunting conerns is field dressing, and I happen to have a good friend from college who happens to be a butcher but will not kill anything, even a nat. Can I take this guy hunting with me (he wouldn't have a firearm) to help properly process the meat after the kill, or would it be illegal since he isn't licensed or deferred?

[Bob33]

Also, I've heard bad stories of people getting busted for hunting with their friends that don't have a license or deferment. One of my main hunting conerns is field dressing, and I happen to have a good friend from college who happens to be a butcher but will not kill anything, even a nat. Can I take this guy hunting with me (he wouldn't have a firearm) to help properly process the meat after the kill, or would it be illegal since he isn't licensed or deferred?

It is legal to have an unlicensed person with you, unless he is also hunting. It would be great to have a butcher help you field dress an animal.

[EmeraldBullet]

Awesome, thanks again for the quick response Bob33.

This friend of mine is a bit different, a vegan butcher. But if he can field dress the meat and help me carry it out I can def try to shoot it and I know I can eat it.

[jmscon]

The first three rules about gun safety are: muzzle control, muzzle control and muzzle control. I am a certified instructor but have only taught at a few classes. Like brew said, we are not tying to trick you to screw up!

Study the materials online again to familiarize yourself with carries, zones of fire, etc. that will help with the field course. Knowing how to figure out what ammunition a particular gun uses is a big one too. And if you don't know how to use one of the guns they give you, just ask. Any instructor is more than happy to show you how to load and unload if you are unfamiliar with it.

Depending on where you are doing the field course, live fire might not be available and if it is it's optional if you aren't comfortable with it. I try to encourage a student, if they are comfortable with firearms, to do the live fire. Especially if it a gun they haven't shot before, just for that little bit of extra experience they can get from it.

Good luck!

[EmeraldBullet]

Thank you jmscon. If available I will take up any live fire opportunity. I want to learn and most of all be safe. Thank you for your help.

[KDB]

Remember this!  Keep the muzzle in a safe direction at all times!!

[EmeraldBullet]

Thanks guys. So after you pass, how long before you get your certificate or are registered into the states system or whatever? I want to buy my tags and get started!