Table of Contents—Knowledge Section

Chapter 1 - Introduction to Hunter and Trapper Education

• Objectives
• Why Hunter/Trapper Education?
• Hunter and Trapper Education Goals
• Hunter Education Funding and Support
• Are You On Target?
• Chapter Review Exercise

Chapter 2 - Be a Responsible and Ethical Hunter

• Objectives
• Why Do We Have Hunting Laws?
• Hunting in the Public Eye
• Hunter Ethics
  • Present a Positive Image
  • Respect Natural Resources
  • Respect Other Hunters
  • Respect Landowners
  • Respect Non-Hunters
  • Getting Involved
  • Hunter Development Stages
• Chapter Review Exercise

Chapter 3 - Know Your Firearm Equipment

• Objectives
• Primary Firearm Safety Rules
• What Is a Firearm?
  • Basic Parts of a Firearm
  • Parts of a Bolt-Action Rifle
  • Bolt-Action Rifle Interactive
  • Parts of a Pump-Action Shotgun
  • Pump-Action Shotgun Interactive
  • Parts of a Handgun
  • Handgun Interactive
• Common Features of Firearms
  • Firearm Actions
  • 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
• What is Ammunition?
  • Basic Parts of Ammunition
  • Rifle and Handgun Cartridges
  • Shotshells
  • Shot Sizes
  • Shotgun Choke and Shot String
  • Pattern Spread at Various Distances
• How a Firearm Works
• How Ammunition is Fired
• Know Your Firearm's Range
• Safely Transporting Firearms
• Cleaning Your Firearm
• Storing Your Firearm
• History of Firearms
• Chapter Review Exercise

Chapter 4 - Wildlife Conservation and Management

• Objectives
• Wildlife Conservation
  • Lessons in Wildlife Management
  • Habitat Management
  • Balancing Act
  • Carrying Capacity
  • How Hunting and Trapping Support Wildlife Conservation
• Wildlife Management and Conservation Principles
  • Wildlife Management Practices
• Wildlife Identification
  • Large Mammals
  • Small Mammals
  • Upland Birds
  • Waterfowl
  • Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Species
• Today's Wildlife: Field Identification Guide
  • Large Mammals
  • Small Mammals
  • Upland Birds
  • Waterfowl
  • Wetland Birds
  • Birds of Prey
• Are You on Target?
• Chapter Review Exercise

Chapter 5 - Outdoor Safety

• Objectives
• Importance of Planning and Preparation
  • Hunting Plan
  • Conditions Affecting Physical Ability
  • Clothing
• Survival Kit Items
  • Topographic Maps and Compasses
  • The Compass
  • Declination
  • Plot Your Progress
• Signaling Devices
• Survival Skills
  • Shelter
  • Starting a Fire
  • Signaling for Help
  • Water
  • Food
• Health Emergencies
• More Health Emergencies
• First-Aid Kit
• Coping with Extreme Weather
  • Hypothermia
  • Frostbite
  • Heat Exhaustion
  • Heat Stroke
• Hunting with All-Terrain Vehicles
• Hunting with Boats
  • Trip Preparation
  • Zones-of-Fire in a Boat
  • Surviving Water Emergencies
  • Falling Into Cold Water and Hypothermia
• Drugs and Alcohol
• Abandoned Mines
• Hunting Plan
• Are You on Target?
• Chapter Review Exercise

Chapter 6 - Basic Hunting Techniques

• Objectives
• Planning and Preparation
  • Know Your Quarry
  • Animal Characteristics
• Hunting Methods
  • Still Hunting
  • Stalking
  • Posting
  • Ground Blinds
  • Elevated Stands
  • Game Calling and Scents
  • Driving
  • Flushing
  • Dogs
  • Decoys
• Special Concern: Hunting from Elevated Stands
  • Types of Elevated Stands
  • Fall-Arrest Systems (FAS)
  • Elevated Stand Location
  • Hauling Hunting Equipment into a Stand
• Special Concern: Turkey Hunting
  • Identification
  • Turkey Hunting Safety
• Vital Shots
  • How Projectiles Kill Game
  • Where to Aim
  • Turkey Hunting
  • Choosing the Proper Shot Angle
  • Approaching Downed Game
  • Trailing Wounded Game
• Field Care of Game
  • Field Care Basics
  • Field Dressing Deer
  • Transporting Game
  • Animal Diseases
• Are You on Target?
• Chapter Review Exercise

Chapter 7 - Advanced Hunting Techniques

• Objectives
• Know Your Muzzleloader
• Muzzleloader Safety Tips
  • Parts of a Muzzleloading Flintlock Rifle
  • In-Line Muzzleloaders
  • In-Line Action Types
• Accessory Equipment
• Propellants and Projectiles
  • Propellants
  • Muzzleloading Projectiles
• Basic Muzzleloader Skills
  • Loading a Sidelock Muzzleloader
  • Loading an In-Line Muzzleloader
  • Firing a Muzzleloader
  • Unloading a Muzzleloader
  • Cleaning a Muzzleloader
  • Steps for Cleaning a Muzzleloader
• History of the Bow and Arrow
• Know Your Bow and Arrow
  • Common Bow Types
  • Crossbow
  • Stringing a Bow
  • Parts of an Arrow
  • Common Types of Arrowheads
  • How Broadhead-Point Arrows Kill Game
  • Broadhead Safety
• Matching Your Equipment
• Archery Skills
  • Stance and Grip
  • Nocking an Arrow
  • Drawing the Bow
  • Anchoring
  • Aiming
  • Releasing
  • Following Through
  • Archery Equipment Safety and Accessories
  • Practice Shooting
• Know Your Crossbow
  • Comparing a Conventional Bow to a Crossbow
  • Parts of a Crossbow
• Shooting a Crossbow
  • Preventive Maintenance
  • Centering the Crossbow String's Center Serving Area
  • Cocking
• Cocking Devices
• Crossbow Grips
• Game Recovery Steps When Bow and Crossbow Hunting
• Chapter Review Exercise

Chapter 8 - Trapping and Furtaking Basics

• Objectives
• Introduction
• Benefits of Trapping
• Best Management Practices (BMPs)
• Trap Categories
• Trap Maintenance
• Trapping Practices
• Releasing Non-Target Species
• Dispatching Trapped Animals
• Characteristics of a Responsible Trapper
• Are You on Target?
• Chapter Review Exercise

Chapter 9 - Basic Shooting Skills

• Objectives
• Good Marksmanship and Accuracy
• Rifle Shooting
  • Dominant or Master Eye
  • Rifle-Firing Techniques
  • Shooting Positions
  • Sighting-In a Rifle
  • Sight Alignment
  • Sighting-In Steps
  • Six Steps for an Accurate Rifle Shot
• Shotgun Shooting
  • Matching Choke to Your Quarry
  • Patterning Your Shotgun
  • Shotgun-Shooting Techniques
  • More on Shotgun-Shooting
  • Leading the Target
• Handgun Shooting
  • Loading and Handling
  • Position and Grip
  • Sight Alignment
  • Aiming
  • Shooting
  • Firing a Revolving Handgun
  • Firing a Semi-Automatic Handgun
• Are You on Target?
• Chapter Review Exercise

Chapter 10 - Safe Hunting Skills

• Objectives
• Why Firearm Safety is Important
  • Firearm Safety in the Home
  • Hunting-Related Shooting Incidents (HRSIs)
  • Main Causes of HRSIs in Pennsylvania
• Match Firearms and Ammunition ... Correctly!
  • WARNING!
• Safely Loading and Unloading Firearms
  • Loading
  • Unloading
• Clearing Obstructions
• Safety Mechanisms
• Safely Carrying Firearms in the Field
  • Proper Field Carries
  • Selecting the Right Carry When Hunting With Others
  • Crossing Obstacles
  • Checking for Obstructions
• Safe Shot Selection
• Safe Zone-of-Fire
  • Other Safety Considerations
• Chapter Review Exercise

Chapter 11 - Expanding Your Opportunities

• Objectives
• Introduction
• Pennsylvania Geographic Information
• Hunting on Private Land
• Advanced Programs and Organizations
  • Mentor Someone
  • Wildlife Conservation Groups
  • Organizations, Agencies, & Clubs
• Chapter Review Exercise