Basic Shooting Skills

How to hold, aim, and fire rifles, shotguns and handguns . . .

Learning Objectives
You should be able to:

Define good marksmanship, and explain why it is important.
List the three fundamentals of good marksmanship.
Define sight alignment and sight picture.
Demonstrate how to determine your master eye.
Explain the basic steps to sight-in a rifle.
Explain four rifle firing techniques that will help improve accuracy.
Demonstrate four proper positions for rifle firing.
List the four common shotgun chokes, and give an example of when you would use each.
Explain the basic steps for patterning a shotgun.
Explain four shotgun shooting techniques that will improve accuracy.
Demonstrate proper shotgun shooting stance.
Explain the difference between swing-through and sustained lead when hunting with a shotgun.
Demonstrate proper handgun shooting stance and grip.

State three practices for handling and storing firearms safely in the home.
Demonstrate the four primary rules of firearm safety.
Name the four main causes of hunting incidents.
Demonstrate six field carries for a rifle or shotgun.
Demonstrate proper field carries while walking two or three abreast and while walking two or three in single file.
Demonstrate the safe method for crossing an obstacle if hunting alone and if hunting with a partner.
Explain how to check safely to see that the barrel of a firearm is free of obstructions.
List the steps to load and unload a firearm safely.
Explain how to transport firearms safely in vehicles and in boats.
Demonstrate proper spacing between hunters and the safe zone-of-fire when hunting in a group.
Explain why self-control, target identification, and accuracy are critical for hunting safety.
State five functions needed for hunting that are impaired if the hunter consumes alcohol or drugs.

New Hampshire
Fish and Game

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New Hampshire Hunting
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Official hunting safety course for Northeast hunters last modified: July 16, 2009
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Basic Shooting Skills

Learning Objectives You should be able to:

Learning Objectives
You should be able to: