Effective November 18, 2009, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency 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 Tennessee online course—the official hunter education course of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

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

Hunting Strategies: Stalking

Stalking

The difference between still hunting and stalking is that when stalking, you follow signs leading to a particular type of game or group of animals, or close the distance to game already spotted.

Hunters tracking in snow

Stalking often involves following tracks to lead you to the type of game you are hunting.

You may follow tracks on trails or a morning “dew” trail through leaves and brush. Or you may follow sounds or scents of animals, such as elk, sheep, or collared peccaries. Or you may simply need to sneak closer to an animal for a better shot.

Stalking requires total focus because you must remember to keep downwind, stay quiet, stay alert, and remain patient.

When turkey hunting, the sound you hear may be another hunter "calling." For safety, you should not stalk turkeys.