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.

Crossing Obstacles

One hunter crossing fence

Always unload guns before crossing fences or other obstacles or before negotiating rough terrain.
Cross wire fences close to a fence post to prevent damage to the fence.
After unloading it, place the gun on the other side of the fence or obstacle to be crossed, with the muzzle pointed away from you and your crossing point. Then cross the fence and retrieve your gun.
Pull a gun toward you by the butt—never by the muzzle.
If two people are crossing, one person gives the other person both guns, crosses first, and then receives the unloaded guns from the other hunter.

Two hunters crossing fence

In addition to gun handling, several other factors affect your safety during the hunt:

Weather, especially the sun's glare
Pests, such as fire ants, snakes, and bees
Your emotional state
Your stamina, especially when hunts are physically demanding