Effective August 1, 2009, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources changed their guidelines for distance learning. Students are now required to spend a minimum amount of time on each course page before proceeding to the certification exam.

Click here to go to the latest version of the Today's Hunter in Indiana online course—the official hunter education course of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Table of Contents

Indiana Online Hunter Education Overview

• Today's Hunter in Indiana Hunting Safety Class
• About the Online Course
• Indiana DNR Information

Chapter One: Introduction to Hunter Education

• The Ten Commandments of Firearm Safety
• Chapter One Contents
• Why Hunter Education?
  • Responsibility, Safety Skills, Knowledge and Involvement
• Hunter Education Funding Sources

Chapter Two: Know Your Firearm Equipment

• Chapter Two Contents
• What is a Firearm?
  • Parts of a Bolt Action Rifle
  • Parts of a Pump Action Shotgun
  • Parts of a Handgun
• What is Ammunition?
  • Basic Components of Ammunition
  • Rifle and Handgun Cartridges
  • Shotshells
  • Shot Sizes
• How a Firearm Works
• How Ammunition is Fired
• Common Features of Firearms
  • Firearm Actions
  • Common Actions on Rifles and Shotguns
  • Bolt Action
  • Lever Action
  • Pump Action
  • Semi-Automatic (or Autoloading) Action
  • Break (or Hinge) Action
  • Revolving Action
  • Safety Mechanisms
  • Magazines
  • Sights
• Differences Between Rifles, Shotguns and Handguns
  • Rifling in the Rifle or Handgun Bore
  • A Rifle's or Handgun's Caliber
  • A Shotgun's Gauge
  • Shotgun Choke and Shot String
  • Shot String at Various Distances
• Match Firearms and Ammunition—Correctly!
  • Warning!
• Know Your Firearm's Range
• Cleaning Your Firearm
• Storing Your Firearm
• History of Firearms

Chapter Three: Basic Shooting Skills

• Chapter Three Contents
• Good Marksmanship and Accuracy
  • Know Your Accuracy Limits
• Rifle Firing
  • Sight Alignment
  • Dominant or Master Eye
  • Sighting-In a Rifle
  • Sighting-In Procedure
  • Rifle-Firing Techniques
  • Shooting Positions
  • Steps for an Accurate Rifle Shot
• Shotgun Shooting
  • Matching Choke to Your Quarry
  • Patterning Your Shotgun
  • Shotgun-Shooting Techniques
  • Pointing a Shotgun
  • Leading the Target
• Handgun Shooting
  • Loading and Handling
  • Position and Grip
  • Sight Alignment
  • Aiming
  • Shooting
  • Firing a Semi-Automatic Handgun

Chapter Four: Basic Hunting Skills

• Chapter Four Contents
• Planning and Preparation
  • Know Your Quarry
  • Animal Characteristics
• Hunting Strategies
  • Still Hunting
  • Stalking
  • Posting
  • Ground Blinds
  • Elevated Stands
  • Game Calling
  • Driving
  • Flushing
  • Dogs
  • Trapping
• Vital Shots
  • Where To Shoot
  • Choosing the Proper Shot Angle
  • Approaching Downed Game
• Field Care of Game
  • Field Care Basics
  • Transporting Game

Chapter Five: Primitive Hunting Equipment and Techniques

• Chapter Five Contents
• Know Your Muzzleloader
• Ammunition for Muzzleloaders
• Basic Muzzleloader Safety and Skills
  • Cleaning a Muzzleloader
  • Loading a Muzzleloader
  • Unloading a Muzzleloader
  • Firing a Muzzleloader
• History of the Bow and Arrow
• Know Your Bow and Arrow
  • Common Bow Types
  • Stringing a Bow
  • Parts of an Arrow
  • Common Types of Arrowheads
• Know Your Crossbow
• Bowhunting Safety and Skills
  • Bow Shooting Safety
  • Bow Shooting Position
  • Nocking an Arrow
  • Drawing and Anchoring the Bow
  • Aiming the Bow
  • Holding and Releasing the Bow

Chapter Six: Be a Safe Hunter

• Chapter Six Contents
• Why Firearm Safety is Important
  • Firearm Safety in the Home
  • Hunting Incidents
  • Four Main Causes of Hunting Incidents
• Safely Carrying Firearms in the Field
  • Proper Field Carries
  • Checking for Obstructions
  • Selecting the Right Carry When Hunting With Others
  • Crossing Obstacles
• Safely Loading and Unloading Firearms
• Safely Transporting Firearms
  • General Rules
• Safe Zone-of-Fire
• Other Safety Considerations
  • Self-Control and Target Identification
  • Accuracy
  • Alcohol and Drugs
• Hunting from Elevated Stands
  • Types of Elevated Stands
  • Fall-Arrest Systems (FAS)
  • Elevated Stand Guidelines
• Hunting With Boats
  • Trip Preparation
  • Transporting Firearms in a Boat
  • Surviving Water Emergencies
  • Cold Water Immersion and Hypothermia
• Hunting With All-Terrain Vehicles

Chapter Seven: Be a Responsible and Ethical Hunter

• Chapter Seven Contents
• Why Do We Have Hunting Laws?
  • Safety, Opportunity and Funding
  • Fair Chase
  • The Hunter's Image Matters
• Hunter Ethics
  • The Hunter's Ethical Code
  • Respect Landowners
  • Respect Non-Hunters
• The Five Stages of Hunter Development
  • Hunter Involvement

Chapter Eight: Preparation and Survival Skills

• Chapter Eight Contents
• Importance of Planning and Preparation
  • Physical Conditioning
  • Clothing
  • Day Pack and Equipment
• Topographic Maps and Compasses
  • Topographic Maps
  • Selecting a Compass
  • Understanding Declination
  • Plotting Your Progress
• Survival Skills
  • Preparing a Shelter
  • Starting a Fire
  • Signaling for Help
  • Drinking Enough Water
  • Finding Food
• Coping With Extreme Weather
  • Hypothermia
  • Frostbite
  • Heat Exhaustion
  • Heat Stroke
• Basic First Aid
• First Aid Kit

Chapter Nine: Wildlife Conservation

• Chapter Nine Contents
• Wildlife Conservation
  • Lessons in Wildlife Management
  • Habitat Management
  • Habitat Balancing Act
  • Carrying Capacity
  • The Hunter's Role in Wildlife Conservation
• Wildlife Management and Conservation Principles
  • Wildlife Management Practices
• Wildlife Identification
  • Large Mammals
  • Small Mammals
  • Upland Birds
  • Waterfowl and Wetland Birds
  • Birds of Prey and Protected Species