The following course material is for reference only. Please go to the new course to complete your North Carolina certification.

Table of Contents

North Carolina Online Hunter Education Overview

• Today's Hunter in North Carolina Hunting Safety Class
• About the Online Course
• Hunter's Resource Directory

Chapter One: Introduction to Hunter Education

• The Ten Commandments of Firearm Safety
• Chapter One Learning Objectives
• Why Hunter Education?
  • Responsibility, Safety Skills, Knowledge and Involvement
• Hunter Education Funding Sources
• Chapter 1 Review Exercise

Chapter Two: Know Your Firearm Equipment

• Chapter Two Learning Objectives
• What is a Firearm?
  • Basic Parts of a Firearm
  • Parts of a Bolt Action Rifle
  • Parts of a Bolt Action Rifle FLASH Interactive Diagram
  • Parts of a Pump Action Shotgun
  • Parts of a Pump Action Shotgun FLASH Interactive Diagram
  • Parts of a Handgun
  • Parts of a Handgun FLASH Interactive Diagram
• What is Ammunition?
  • Basic Components of Ammunition including FLASH Animation
  • Rifle and Handgun Cartridges
  • Shotshells
  • Shot Sizes
• How a Firearm Works including FLASH Animation
• How Ammunition is Fired including FLASH Animation
• Common Features of Firearms
  • Firearm Actions
  • Common Actions on Rifles and Shotguns
  • Bolt Action including FLASH Animation
  • Lever Action including FLASH Animation
  • Pump Action
  • Semi-Automatic (or Autoloading) Action including FLASH Animation
  • Break (or Hinge) Action including FLASH Animation
  • Revolving Action including FLASH Animation
  • 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 2 Review Exercise

Chapter Three: Basic Shooting Skills

• Chapter Three Learning Objectives
• Good Marksmanship and Accuracy
  • Know Your Accuracy Limits
• Rifle Firing
  • Sight Alignment
  • Dominant or Master Eye
  • Sighting-In a Rifle
  • Sighting-In Procedure with FLASH Animation
  • Rifle-Firing Techniques
  • Shooting Positions
  • Steps for an Accurate Rifle Shot
• Shotgun Shooting
  • Matching Choke to Your Quarry
  • Matching Choke to Your Quarry - Chart
  • Patterning Your Shotgun
  • Shotgun-Shooting Techniques
  • Pointing a Shotgun
  • Leading the Target
• Handgun Shooting
  • Loading and Handling with FLASH Animation
  • Position and Grip
  • Sight Alignment
  • Aiming
  • Shooting
  • Firing a Semi-Automatic Handgun with FLASH Animation
• Chapter 3 Review Exercise

Chapter Four: Basic Hunting Skills

• Chapter Four Learning Objectives
• 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 4 Review Exercise

Chapter Five: Primitive Hunting Equipment and Techniques

• Chapter Five Learning Objectives
• 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 5 Review Exercise

Chapter Six: Be a Safe Hunter

• Chapter Six Learning Objectives
• Why Firearm Safety is Important
  • Firearm Safety in the Home
  • Four Primary Rules of Firearm Safety
  • 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)
  • Hauling Hunting Equipment into a Stand
• Hunting With Boats
  • Trip Preparation
  • Transporting Firearms in a Boat
  • Zone-of-Fire in a Boat
  • Surviving Water Emergencies
  • Cold Water Immersion and Hypothermia
• Hunting With All-Terrain Vehicles
• Chapter 6 Review Exercise

Chapter Seven: Be a Responsible and Ethical Hunter

• Chapter Seven Learning Objectives
• Why Do We Have Hunting Laws?
  • Game Conservation
  • Safety, Opportunity and Funding
  • Fair Chase
  • The Hunter's Image Matters
• Hunter Ethics
  • The Hunter's Ethical Code
  • Respect Landowners
  • Respect Non-Hunters
  • Personal Choice
• The Five Stages of Hunter Development
  • Hunter Involvement
• Chapter 7 Review Exercise

Chapter Eight: Preparation and Survival Skills

• Chapter Eight Learning Objectives
• Importance of Planning and Preparation
  • Physical Conditioning
  • Clothing
  • Day Pack and Equipment
• Topographic Maps and Compasses
  • Reading a Topographic Map
  • 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
  • Bleeding
  • Broken Bones
  • Burns
  • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
  • Chest Wounds
  • Shock
  • Snakebite
  • First Aid Kit
• Chapter 8 Review Exercise

Chapter Nine: Wildlife Conservation

• Chapter Nine Learning Objectives
• 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
• Chapter 9 Review Exercise