florida hunter education manual

7/27/2019 Florida Hunter Education Manual

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Table ofContents & ~ + f ~ i ! l & % ! & i J i i j ~ "J l l i : d ~ I i I & & % 1. Hunter Responsibility2. Wildlife Conservation and Wildlife Management3. Firearms

Hunting Heritage and Early Firearms History 21Rifles 21Shotguns 23Cleaning and Storage 26Ammunition 26Questions and Answers about Steel Shot 29Firearms Handling and Safety 32Marksmanship and Shooting Fundamentals 37

4. Wildlife Identification5. Game Care6. Specialty Hunting

Introduct ion to Muzzleloading 53Introduction to Handguns 56 _Introduction to Bowhunting 587. Survival and First Aid8. Water Safety9. Special Concerns

Alcohol and Drugs 75Turkey Hunting 75Trapping 77All Terra in Vehicles 78Hunting Dogs 79

ResourcesGlossary

12

445

667

88

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Five Stages of a Hunter

MethodStage

ShooterStage

TrophyStage

Limiting OutStage

SportsmanStage

-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 9


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2. Wildlife Conservationand Wildlife Management-Wor .to l#arnyor ~ c a a p ~ 1CIlrrying Capacity: A m ~ u n t of wildlifehabitat can ~ p p o r t throug!lout e yeareonseriatio.,rThe4WiSe uie" f J t , u r c e tExtinct: No lqnger in existence. ,tlabitai: The:bturlJ: envilbnme'tt of a8nimal that supplies its needs: food, water. c o v ~space! andiFantltment*11rMigratory: .Animals that leave the area inVihich.they are rais.e.d for th.e wit;\ter. 'i:.gra,ahlmals returh. in the spritfjr. ;;'1

Non-domesticated animals, including mammals, birds and fish, which mayor may not behunted as controlled by law, are classified as wildlife.People and wildlife share the same environment. They both need food, water, and shelter.These things make up habitat. People havechanged the habitat through building and development, and this directly affects wildlife. Peoplemust be responsible for these changes and striveto create a healthy balance.Wildlife is important. Do you enjoy the beautyof an eagle? Have you ever watched an elk?Wildlife shows the health of the animals'habitat. Little or no wildlife means somethingis wrong. How do hunters help? People buy

licenses and outdoor gear. They spend millioof dollars. Programs for wildlife use part of thmoney. Some of this money restores habitat.There are laws about wildlife. Wildlagencies protect fish and game, and set trules about how our resources may be used. Apeople must obey the laws.

Wildlife management creates a balance.


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Pittman-RobertsonAct Actually called the Federal Aid in WildlifeRestoration Act, P-R was sponsored by SenatorKey Pittman (Nevada) an d Representative A.Willis Robert son (Virginia). President FranklinDelano Roosevelt signed it into law in 1937. I t provides an excise tax on firearms, ammunition,an d archery equipment. P-R money is available to th e states to buy,develop, maintain, an d operate wildlifemanagement areas . P-R money is available to states and is used forsurveys an d research necessary to restore wildlife. P-R money is available to states an d is used tofinance Hunter Education. These programs reachabout 650,000 people a year. People who never hunt benefit from P-R, too.Wildlife management areas an d wetlands areuseful to all nature lovers an d watchers . Funds gotoward management of all species , game and nongame alike.

Hunters' Dollars (U.S.)Money Time How usedSources SpanHunting Since Budgets for state fishlicenses 1923 and wildlife agencies.Excise taxes Since Wildlife restorationon arms and 1937 projects. Hunterammunition Education.Duck stamps Since Acquisition of1934 wetlands for wildlife.

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History of Wildlife ManagementManagement of wildlife began in Europe.Rulers owned th e land. They had game keepers.

The keeper took care of the animals and keptthem healthy. There was no public hunting.Only the ruler hunted. The keeper was hisguide.

American settlers began to use wildlifehabitat for space to build their homes. They didnot have hunting laws. Some hunters sold theirgame in th e towns. Too much of this led to adecrease in wildlife. Because there were nolaws, the numbers of animals could not becontrolled. There were no more passengerpigeons. (They became extinct.) Very few wildbuffalo remained.People grew concerned about the wildlife.They passed laws about them. Then th e publicowned the wildlife. They were responsible forthem.

Wildlife management is wise use of theoutdoors. To understand it, you must studyanimals. Animals can be grouped as shown inthe box.

Farm animals

Migratory game

Wilderness game

These animals stay in th esame area all year: They liveon a farm . Examples arepheasants , quail , andcottontail rabbits.This wildlife leaves an areafor the winter and returns inthe spring. Ducks, geese, andcoots are examples.These animals cannot live withman. They live in the wilderness. Examples are eagles,bear, and wolves.

Wildlife ManagementThere ar e four basic ideas in wildlife

management.1. It must be based on facts.2. Man affects wildlife.3. Management must help th e habitat. I tcannot help only animals.4. Conservation is wise use of resources.Preservation is non-use of resources .

Preservation protects endangered animals. I tkeeps them free from man. However, we cannotcontrol al l problems. -Life in the wild is hard and cruel. Sickness cankill an entire herd. Animals might starve.Animals kill other animals.


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Wildlife Management Tools1001 How Used Wh y BeneficialFire or In forests and brush- Creat es new growth.burning lands, to return areato earlier stages.Fertili- Primarily used in Creates more palatablezation grassy areas. and nutritional foods.

Food plots For upland game and Creates winter foodsome waterfowl. source.Shelter For protection and Protects upland game,belts nesting or cover. some big game, andnon-game.Timber Opens canopy. Trees Creates grasses andsales are cut to encourage weeds. Helpful to earlyundergrowth. successional species .

Weather and amounts of food can lead toproblems. Cycles of growth lead to high birthrates. Then there will be a high death rate.

An example of the dangers of preservationhappened in the Grand Canyon. PresidentRoosevelt was a hunter. He cared for animals.He saw the large mule deer in this area. Hewanted part of the park for the deer alone.Hunters were kept out. The number ofpredators was made smaller.

The deer population grew. One winter therewas not enough food for them. They ate theplants down very low. The plants could notgrow again. Some mule deer starved. Cowboystried to move the deer to a better feeding area.Not even one deer would move. The deer stayedin familiar, foodless areas. Many deer starved.With fewer deer, the food supply could growagain.

What can wildlife leaders do? They protect thehabitat. They control numbers of animals. Theyknow what the animals need. Sometimes theyneed a new start. This can happen in federalparks and forests. What do wildlife need? See thechart.

FoodCoverWater

SpaceArrangement

Each species needs certain kindsand amounts of food.Trees, brush, or a cave can protectwildlife.All wildlife need water. They findit in lakes and ponds. There ismoisture in plants and food .Animals need a certain amount ofarea for living.The food, cover, water, and spacemust be close together.

Habitat is an area that supplies these thingsis best in the spring. Most wildlife have thyoung then. By summer their numbers arelarge for the supply of food. In the winter, thereven less food. Animals begin to starve.

The balance between habitat and wildlifeimportant. We can build or improve habiWildlife laws help these efforts.Carrying CapacityAny area can support only a certain numof wildlife each year. How many animalsthat? The number is called carrying capaciFor example, a gallon bucket holds only ogallon. Too many wildlife is harmful tohabitat. They hurt the food supply. Withfood, animals ge t sick or starve.Slow changes affect habitat. New plants aanimals replace those that die or leave. Burnand lumbering can create new growth. Wildlbenefits from new growth.The birth and death rates are important. Stuth e lists shown.

Birth Rates Death Rate1. This is the number of 1. This is the number

animals born each animals that die eacyear. year.2. The birth rate is 2 . Causes of deat

influenced by include:o animal's health. o starvation.o food supply. o climate.o number ofanimals in o predators.the area . o controlled hunting.

Informed Public ConsentThe future of wildlife depends on people. Thmust know the needs ofanimals. They must kn

about wildlife programs.Some people think sportsmen endan

animals. This is not true. Only surplus wildcan be hunted. Game laws protect animals.Wildlife programs need support. They nefunds. License fees pay for these programs. Tlaws are tools of wildlife programs. Pubeducation about wildlife is necessary. Wildand hunters both benefi t from gomanagement programs.


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The edge effect among the different habitat elements: food, water, space, cover, and arrangement.

ANNU.e.L pRoDUCnON

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Carrying capacity is thenumber of wildlife a habitatcan support.


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Carrying CapacityAi B Surplus decreased due to:I

I ~ ~.# A Starvation, ~ ~ , ~ ' \ . Disease/ParasitesIi . \ Accidents

, ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ , Harsh w ~ a t h e r'\.. * Huntmg~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ P r e d a t i o n1 - ~ ~ ~ ~ . I I I A ; ~ O t h e rC ~ ~ ~ A ~ ~ ~ ~ A " C

Spring I ummer I Fall I WinterA Unrestricted production ifno limiting factors existedB Average yearly game productionC Annual breeding stock Hunters take animals from the annual surplus thatwould be lost anywayCarrying capacity of the land increases in early summer whenthere is a lot of food and cover. This healthy habitat is soonfilled by the new broods of birds. In late summer, when thepopulation and the available food and cover reach their peak ,some birds begin to die .

HA81TAT. = - - - ~


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Words to Learn for 'this Chapter>t\ction: The part of a firearm that loads, fires, and'Clischarges the 'bullet. There are five types: bolt,lever, pump (slide), semi-automatic, and break(hinge).Ammunition: Any powder, shot, cartridge orshell used in a flrearm.: B ~ l : The htbe that the bullet goes down when afirearm is fired.Binoculars: Field glasses used to identify gameby making it look larger.Bolt action: A type of firearm that ~ p a d s and"unloads ammunit ion by working the bolt.Bore: The measurement from one land to theopposite land in a rifle barrel.Break action: A type of firearm that opens at theb ~ h . Shells are loaded by hand. This ,kind cancome either asa single-shot or a double barrel.Bree,cb: The part of a barrel at the end opposite tothe mUzzle:galiber: The measurement of a rifle bore. Usually'it is the distance betweerl' the lands.Cartridge: A round of ammunition that includesthe primer, powder, case, and the bullet or shot.Cartridges can be either rim-fire or centerfire.Centerfire: A type of ammunition in which theprimer is in the center of the cartridge.Chamber: The part of the bore into which acartridge is placed.

, "Choke:,The part of a shotgun at the muzzle thatcontrols the spread of the shot and its pattern.Jstarted.Obstacle: Anything that gets in th e way orobstructs.Pellets:Small, round ~ l 1 s oflead or steel h a t a t ~shot in a pattern. " , 'Percussion cap: A cap placed on the nipple underthe hammer of a muzzleloader. The cap explodeswhen it is hit. This sends the flame to the mainpowder charge, which &res the firearm.Prevention: To stop or keep from doingsomething.Primer: A cap that sets fire to the powder when itis struck by the firing pip.Projectile: A m i s s i l ~ t h a t is p U 8 H ~ d out offirearm by force. /Prone: Lying flat; the safest and most accurateof the four rifle shooting positions.Pump t i o n : . A type of firearm loadsunloads ammunition by pumping 'the foreabetween shots.Recoil: The kick back of a firearm when fired.Repeater: A rifle tHat holds more than onecartridge; and can ,.;fire several ,;'shotsreloading.


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" 1etResistance: The power or ability to withstand orto oppose. ,>,Rifting: Grooves in the metal of { f i r e a i m barrel.They make the bullet spin.Rim-fire: A .type of ammunition in which theprimer is around the inside bottom rim ofthe case.Semi-automatic: Aflrearm that fIres, ejects thespent cartridge, and chambers a new cartridgewith a single pull of the trigger.Shotshell: Shot and other parts of ammunitionfor shotguns that come all together in a~ n t a i n e r , or shelLShot: Pellets made oflead or steel that are fired byatirearm.Sight-in: 1b adjust a rifle's sights so that the bulletl:tits a target a given range.

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Hunting Heritage andEarly Firearms History

The survival of early man depended on histaking animals for food. He used tools like clubs,rocks, an d short spears. His hunting was done atclose range. It was very dangerous.Slings or bows and arrows helped keep thehunter a safe distance from the animal. Thehunter needed good eyes, aim, and the ability tojudge distance. These skills are still neededtoday in many fields, including sport hunting.A firearm is a tool which shoots a projectile byburning gunpowder. The first gunpowder wasused in China to make firecrackers. I t was calledblack powder. Later hand cannons shot rocks orbits of metal.

Firearms shot from the shoulder were used inEurope 100 years before Columbus sailed forAmerica. The ammunition included lead ballsand shot. Lead balls were needed to bring downlarge animals. Shot was used for small animalsan d birds.A mer ican impr ovemen t s made th emuzzleloader more accurate. Americans used apatched round ball. Later, percussion caps weredeveloped. More shots could be fired in a shorttime. The Sharps rifle, a popular western firearm,was a breech loader.

Many improvements happened between 1850and 1890. Firearms became common tools. Theywere named after th e people who made them.Examples were Sharps, Colt, and Winchester. The

Sights: Mechanical J b a r ~ a r m w h i c b : hhelp in aiming. Includes open, peep, anat e l e ~ c o p e . l,liding lever: A type of shotgun safety. It 'is asmall d e ~ i ~ e that stops the fuearm.from firing i fthetriggef is pulled accidenta:1y. ;$ /1 &%Solvent: A liquid that can dissolve grease andother substances. that can .;build up inside 411*firearm.

S t ~ k : The wood,!m or plastic frame t h a t } l o l ~thefbarrel and action. I t helps you get and'keep'**.aim, and it absorbs recoil when you fIre.Terra in: Portion of land.Vehicle: Used for transportation, such as a car,truck, sled, or cart . _Waterfowl: Water birds, especitilly those thatswim, suc};t as ducks g e e ~ :

Eye and frearing protection is recommendedfor all firearms includingmuzzleloaders.

story of firearms is linked to the history of theUnited States and Canada.

RiflesSafe, responsible hunters learn how a firearmworks. What is the difference between a rifle an da shotgun? What are the parts of a firearm? Howdoes each part work? This chapter will help you

answer those questions.Rifles and shotguns look alike. Each has abarrel, action, and stock. Differences are insidethe barrel and action.When a bullet is fired, it goes down a tube. Thistube is called the barrel. A rifle-barrel is thickerthan a shotgun barrel. Grooves in the metal arecalled rifling. The grooves make a bullet spin.Spinning makes th e bullet go straight and far. 21


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Firearms PartsPart Purpose/Description

Action Part of a rifle which shoots thebullet. The action loads, fires anddischarges the bullet.Barrel A bullet is fired through the ba r-rel.Breech This is the part of he barrel at theend opposite the muzzle.Butt The part ofthe stock which is heldagainst your shoulder.Chamber The part of the bore into which acartridge is placed.Comb/Cheekpiece The top ridge of the stock. If it israised, it is called a cheekpiece.ForearmlForend The part of the stock under thebarrel.Grip The smaller part of th e stockbehind the receiver.Muzzle This is th e end of the barrel. Themuzzle is the smallest part of thebarrel.Rifle Sights All sights are on top ofthe barrel.They are used to aim.Open Sights These have front and rear parts.The rear sight can be moved tochange where the bullet will hit.Peep Sights These have front and rear parts.The rear part is a peephole where

your eye will focus.Telescopic Sights This type does not have a frontsight. The aiming points are insidea telescope. It makes the targetappear closer, larger and br ighter.Safety The safety should prevent thefIrearm from fIring if the trigger ispulled accidentally. The safety may

be a button, movable pin, thumblever, thumb hammer, or slidingplate. A hard blow or dropping therifle could still cause it to fIre.Stock The wooden, plastic or metal

frame that holds the barrel an daction. I t helps you get and keepyour aim. I t also absorbs recoilwhen you fIre .TriggerlTrigger The trigger is squeezed to startGuard the movements in the action. Thetrigger guard protects the triggerfrom accidental bumping.

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Shotgun - Smoothbore

Rifle - Rifled bore Bore TypesO l ~Rifle Actions

Pump

Bolt

Break

Semi-automatic

Lever

The metal between the grooves is called aland. The bore of a rifle is measured from oneland to the land opposite. The size of bulletcomes from this measurement.What part of a rifle shoots the cartridge? The

action loads, fires, and discharges the bulletThe five types of actions are pictured here.A single-shot rifle holds and fires only onecartridge'. A wise hunter learns to use this kindfirst. A responsible hunter shoots' only one bullewhenever possible.Repeater is the name of a rifle that uses more


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than one cartridge. I t can fire several shots beforereloading. The cartridges are stored in themagazine. All repeater rifles have a magazine.Study th e diagrams of rifle parts. Discuss thepurpose and safe use of each part.Safe, responsible hunters know the parts of arifle. They know what each part does. Thishelps hunters use a firearm safely. A safehunter controls the rifle's muzzle. He keeps hisfingers outside the guard and away from the

trigger until ready to shoot. You must handleyour rifle carefully and responsibly.Safeties

Most rifles will have a safety. Safeties aredesigned to prevent either the trigger or thefiring pin from moving. Safe hunters willalways know where the safety is on theirfirearm. They will also know how it operatesbefore trying to load and use the firearm.Handle the rifle safely even with the safety on.Safeties are not foolproof. A hard blow likedropping a rifle or a mechanical failure of thesafety could still cause the rifle to fire.The illustration here shows typical types ofsafeties.Lever action rifles require extra care. Whilecocking, the trigger is exposed. Keep fingersoutside the trigger guard during cocking. Thesafe position is the half-cocked position. From thehalf-cocked position, put your thumb firmly onthe hammer to hold it. Ease the trigger back untilthe hammer releases. Lower it al l the way. ThenParts of a Bolt Action Rifle

Butt pad

pull it back to where it catches in the half cockedposition. Removing gloves helps keep a firm gripon the hammer and prevents slips. Always pointthe muzzle in a safe direct on when operating thehammer. Practice this often with an empty rifle.The hunter should feel comfortable trying it witha loaded rifle.Remember, never substitute using a safety forsafe firearm handling.ShotgunsA carefully chosen shotgun can be an all-purpose firearm. I t can be used for targets or for

Safety Locations

Safety Safety- - i = = ~ - - : /___=-====T'==-==-

Safety

Rear sight Front sight

Barrel MuzzleForearm

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types of wildlife. How can a shotgun work forquail and deer? I t has many possible shotshelland choke choices. In this chapter, you willthat means. You will see why the shothave many uses.A shotgun fires many pellets. These are made ofand are called shot. The hunter shootsin a pattern at his target.

Have you hear the term "12 gauge shotgun?"tells you the size ofthe bore ofthe gun. I t isby the number of lead balls equal to theof the bore which weigh one pound (.45 kg.) Forthe 12 gauge takes a lead ball OfY12 pound.

e diameter of this ball is the same as the gauge ofbore.Shotguns have longer barrels than rifles. Thisand balance the gun better.barrels do no t shoot farther. Moderngain full speed in a 24-inch (60.94 cm.)In longer barrels, the shot begins to slow

I t is easy to understand what a choke does. Justit to the nozzle of a water hose. Wide open,e nozzle sprays widely but does not reach far.closed, the tight stream from the nozzlefar away. In shotguns, the choke squeezese shot an d keeps it together longer.Choke type causes shot patterns. Study the chartthe pattern each type of

What causes a shotgun to fire better patterns?

of a Pump Action Shotgun

Buttplate

Comb SafetyPump action

Trigger guardTrigger

That information will help you be a more accuratehunter. The experiment here will show what is bestfor your shotgun.Steel shot is required for all waterfowl hunting.I t prevents potential lead poisoning and keeps theshot from contaminating the environment.

Shotgun Patterns1. Get several 40-inch (101.6 cm) square sheets of

paper.2. Draw a 30-inch (76.2 cm) diameter circle on eachsheet.3. Fire at these targets from 40 yards (36.6 m) away.4. Count the number of pellets in each shot size used.6. Divide the number of holes in the circle by th enumber of pellets used in that circle. This ispercentage.

7. Use the shot size that gives the highest percentage.

What kind ofaction can a shotgun have? There aremany choices. Learn how each works. Study theinformation below and the chart on actions. You candecide which action you want.The kinds of actions are break (hinge), bolt, pump(slide), and semi-automatic.Break action shotguns open at the breech. Youload shells by hand. This kind comes' as a singleshot or double barrel . Double barrels have differentchokes in each barrel. One allows close

Ventilated rib Sighting bead~Barrel Muzzle

Forearm Tube plugMagazine

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Shotgun Chokes and PatternsFor Lead Shot . effective range. 40 + yardsFUll Choke

Full Choke

Modified Choke

terminal range200+ yardseffective range35 yards

terminal range200+ yards

terminal range200+ yards

Improved Choke

Cylinder Choke

Detail exaggerated for emphasis.

Shotgun ActionsPump Action, single barrel repeater~ c::=:J\~ ~ ~ . . . - - . . . - r - - ~ \ - - - - 1 t ~ 111I11I11111

Semi-automatic Action, single barrel repeater

Bolt Action, single barrel repeater

~ ) \ co-Break Action, single ba rrel, single shot

7-----Break Action, side-by-side, double barrel

.Break Action, over-and-under, double barrel

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shooting. The second barrel allows shots at a longerdistance.Bolt action shotguns load the shells for you.When you work the bolt, a shotshell goes into thechamber. The empty shell comes out.Pump action works like bolt action. The hunterpumps the forearm between shots.The semi-automatic does the loading and unloading for you.When would you want each of these actions?When you get only one or two shots, break or boltshotguns are good. Pump and semi-automatic actions are best for waterfowl hunting. Several shotscan be fired quickly.A shotgun's safety may be a latch, sliding lever orpin. A hammer safety is difficult to cock or loweragainst a stiff spring. Point the shotgun in a safedirection while moving the hammer. Remove glovesor mittens. Then the hammer will have less chanceto slip.

Using a Shotgun as a RifleWhen would you use a shotgun like a rifle? Insome areas only shotguns are allowed. You can addsights to a shotgun. This will provide help withaiming and shooting.Firearm Safety in the Home

Responsible gun handling is not limited to thefield. Firearm safety must also be practiced at home.It is sad bu t true, that many people are injured orkilled in home firearm accidents. However, thestudent who learns how to ~ n d l e guns safely in thefield can pu t that knowledge to good use at home.Here are some guidelines to prevent home firearm accidents:

Never show firearms to your friends withoutadult supervision. If your friends come over afterschool or on weekends and they ask to see a gun, besure to have your parent or another adult present.Remember, you were once very curious about guns,so it is natural that your friends will share that samecuriosity. Just remember, your hunter safety training has taught you things about safe gun handlingthat your friends probably don't know. Also, theymay have questions about gun safety that only anadult can answer. Even more important, the presence of an adult can discourage someone who is notfamiliar with firearms from treating them like toys.

Us e trigger locks. These are inexpensivesafety devices designed to fit around the trigger26

guard of a rifle, shotgun or handgun to prevent thegun from being accidentally fired. There are severaltypes oftrigger locks, an d an acceptable substituteis a padlock. Slip th e locking "bar" through thetrigger guard behind the trigger. This will preventhe trigger on most firearms from being depressedfa r enough to allow the gun to accidently fire. Thereare other locking devices available, as well. Forexample, the Cable Lock is a gun safety device thatis similar to the cable you would use to lock up abicycle. Open the action of a shotgun or many bolaction rifles, semi-automatic pistols or revolversand ru n the cable through the openings, then lock itThis prevents the action from being closed on a livecartridge and being accidentally fired.Showing Firearms

Always keep the muzzle pointed in a -safedirection. This rule applies equally to the home asit does to the shooting range or in the field.In the home there are some "extra" things toconsider, however. For example, ifyou live in a twostory house, or in an apartment with neighborsliving upstairs or downstairs, you must be carefuabout pointing the muzzle up or down. An accidentaldischarge could send a bullet through your ceilingand your upstairs bedroom floor! This is the primereason that you never hand a firearm to anyonewithout first checking to make certain that it is noloaded. A good idea is to always try and keep themuzzle aimed at an angle so that it is pointed at thecorner of the room where the ceiling or th e floorcomes together with th e wall. The reason for this isthat in these areas, there are usually severacrossbeams of wood, top and bottom, which supporthe wall studs. These thick layers oflumber, usually2 x 4s nailed together, can often stop an accidentallyfired bullet.Always have the action open for display. Iyou show firearms to a visitor,alwaysopen theaction first to make sure the gun is not loadedOnly then do you hand it to your guest, and he or sheshould keep the action open. This rule applies to alguns, whether they are break-open shotguns, boltaction rifles or revolvers. And, when you hand ovea firearm to a visitor, keep the muzzle pointed in asafe direction.Cleaning and Storage

Why is it important to take care of your firearm?You can help it last a life time with good care. 'Thismeans the firearm requires periodic inspectionadjustment and service, as over a period of timeparts can wear or break. The firearm manufacturecan be contacted for recommended servicing.


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A clean firearm is safest to use. Responsible huntersclean and safely store their firearms. Your firearmshould be cleaned after each trip. Clean it even if youdid not fire it. Always make sure your firearm isunloaded before you clean it. A good rule is, ''Take twoseconds to be safe instead of forever being sorry."Brushdirt, sand, and leaves from the action and barrel.Use solvent to clean the bore. Apply a light coat of oilinside and out. Then your firearm is ready for storage.Safe Storage

I t is important to store your firearm in a safe, dryplace. A horizontal rack is fine. A cased firearmshould be muzzle down. This prevents cleaning fluidand oil from settling into the action.Do no t leave a firearm in a closed case for a longtime. A closed case traps moisture. This could rustyour gun.Never have a loaded firearm in your vehicle.

Learn the laws about traveling with a gun.Store firearms and ammunition separately.Remember one of the first rules you learned duringhunter education class. Always keep your firearmsunloaded and stored separately from ammunitionwhen not in use. In many homes, you will findammunition locked in a separate drawer or ammu-nition locker, away from gun cabinets. In otherhomes, the ammunition is simply placed in a separate location. The result is the same: Guns andammunition are not immediately accessible in thesame place, and this reduces the possibility thatsomeone unfamiliar with guns could foolishly load afirearm in the home and accidently fire that gun.Many gun cabinets and gu n safes have lockablestorage drawers for ammunition, an d you shouldremember to use those locks.Some people take an additional safety precautionwith bolt-action rifles by removing the bolt andlocking it in a storage drawer as well.

The golden rule is: You can never be too safe aboutstoring or showing your firearms!Arrows, Knives

Safety in the home goes beyond th e safe storage offirearms and ammunition. If, for example, you or amember of your family is a bowhunter, it is veryimportant to store your hunting broadheads safely,where visitors, and especially small children, can'teasily or accidentally find them.Hunting broadheads are extremely sharp and,when handled improperly, can cause severe cuts.Therefore, they should be stored in containers designed specifically for broadhead storage. These areavailable at virtually any good archery shop orsporting goods store that sells archery equipment.

These containers usually have a foam interior iIitwhich the broadheads ar e gently inserted until theare unable to rattle around loose. There should be lid that can be closed tightly. If you do not have suca container, it's easy to make one by cutting a piecof foam to fit a shoe box. Once your broadheads arsafely placed inside, close th e lid and either tape itti e it or close it with heavy rubber bands.Knives may also cause accidents when improperly handled. When storing a hunting knife, it'sgood idea to wipe th e blade with a thin coat of oilthen put it in the sheath, snap the safety strapclosed, and put the knife in the same cabinet wheryou store your firearms.

Many gun safes have shelves that are perfect fothis purpose. The oil will help prevent rusting thacan be caused by moisture that can't evaporatthrough the leather, or even th e nylon sheatmaterial.

Rimfire CartridgeHollowa-r . . - - - bullet point

~ ! : a - - - Crimpdt- - - Brass case- - -Powde r

:;w.-- Rim/primer

Shotgun Shell

I I ~ I ~ W I - ! ! - ~ ShotPlasticbodyI ~ : : i t n r Wad

Brass~ " . . A - h e a d

~ - - P r i m e r

CenterfireCartridge

Bullet-.:._r--- Crimp

Brass caseSmokelesspowder

Flash hole: : : S ~ ~ Rim

Primer

2


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AmmunitionWhat is ammunition? How does it work? Earlyhunters used stones, spears, then black powder. In1884 smokeless powder was developed. Smokelesspowder comes in flakes, pellets, strips, and othershapes. It can be measured closely. This means thateach shotshell from the same box will shoot almostthe same.Modern ammunition has four parts: the case,primer, powder and bullet. Today's ammunition isfaster to load and more reliable. Cartridges makerapid-firing possible. See the diagram on ammuni-tion. This will show you the location of the primer,powder, and bullet or shot.There are two styles of primer in modern ammu-nition. One is centerfire. The other is rimfire. Largecaliber rifles and all shotguns use centerfire ammunition. This means the primer is in the center ofthe cartridge. Rimfire ammunition is used only insmall caliber firearms. An example is the .22 caliber.The primer is around the inside bottom rim of thecase.

Ammunition SafetyA safe hunter learns what to do and what not to dowith ammunition.Safe hunters use the correct powder or ammunit ionfor their firearms. Caliber or gauge is stamped on thebarrel of most modern firearms. This is also stampedon every box of ammunition and on the headstamp ofevery cartridge or shotgun shell. Learn which size ofammunition works for your firearm and be sure thecartridge head stamp or shotgun shell stamp matchesexactly the markings on your firearm. Improper or

28

How a Firearm Fires

Cartridge in chamber.

Burning powder an d gas expands,pushing bullet out.

incorrect ammunition can destroy a gun and causeserious injury to the shooter or to by-standers. Checkwhich size or load is proper for the game you hunt.Study the chart on ammunit ion use. Go to a gunsmithifno markings exist or you are uncertainof he caliber.A safe hunter takes care ofpowder supplies. Theyare kept away from fire, cigarettes and sparks. Aresponsible hunter knows laws about ammunition.He keeps it cool, dry, and locked away from firearmswhen not in use.Good hunters know how far their firearms andammunition will shoot. They shoot at game withinthat range. Know your target and what is behind it.Modern shotguns fire more than the length of afootball field. A rifle shoots more than three miles(4.83 km).Careful hunters will not fire magnum shotshellsin a standard shotgun. Using incorrect ammunitioncauses accidents. Safe hunters carry one sizeammunition. That prevents loading a larger shotshellon a smaller one. Responsible hunters know aDamascus twist firearm is very dangerous. Theyavoid this firearm. Whenhunters know safe practices,they enjoy hunting more.HowAmmunition Works1. Your trigger releases the hammer.2. The hammer drives a firing pin into the primerarea.3. The primer explodes; this sets fire to the powder.4. This fire causes very high gas pressure.5. The gas pressure pushes the bullet or shot out ofthe firearm barrel.

Firing pin strikes an d primerexplodes, igniting powder.

e!!e rr"")~ ~ ' ~ J : >

Bullet an d escaping gases speed frommuzzle, causing noise.


18/24

Questions and Answers About Steel ShotExactly what iB th e problem with lead Bhot?The problem is called lead poisoning. Waterfowl aremost affected by this problem because these birdsspend most of their time feeding in marshes wherehunters shoot. They become poisoned when theyswallow the lead pellets that are left in the wetlandsfrom hunter's shotguns. As few as one lead pelletcan cause death in an adult mallard. Nationalestimates are that as many as two to three millionwaterfowl die each year from lead poisoning. Predators which feed on poisoned birds may also beaffected.What iB th e Bolution to thiB problem?The only way for hunters to solve this problem is tostop using lead shot in waterfowl hunting. At thistime, the only available alternative is steel shot.How doeB Bteel Bhot differ from lead?Steel pellets are harder and rounder than leadpellets. Steel pellets are not deformed as muchduring loading and firing. They will fly truer thanlead. Since steel pellets weigh less, they will retainless energy at any given range than the same sizelead shot. (See Chart 1.)Then Bteel Bhot doeBn' t perform as well as lead?

Not necessarily. Three factors determine performance: roundness, speed and weight. Steel shot isChart 2

superior to lead in roundness and short rangespeed, but not in weight. Ammunition manufacturers have adjusted for this difference inweight with special wads and powders to attainhigher muzzle velocities. They also recommend

Chart 1

Steel Vs. Lead Shot*RetainedMuzzle EnergyShot Shot Velocity (Ft. Lbs.)Type Wt. Size (FPS) 40Yds. -

Lead PI. 6 1330 2.3Steel Pis 4 1365 2.5Lead PI. 4 1330 4.4Steel Pis 2 1365 4.4Lead PI. 4 1260 4.1Steel PI. 2 1275 4.1Lead PI. 2 1260 7.0Steel PI. BB 1210 8.3Lead Fls BB 1260 13.0Steel PI. BBB** 1375 11.1Steel PI. T** 1375 13.5Steel PI. F** 1375 19.2

SourceSAAMI Exterior Balli. tics Table. adopted 4123181. Calculated.data - SAAMIdata not available. Chart compiled by Winchester Group/Olin Corporation. NOTE: Steel.hot peJJeta two l izes larger than lead deHver comparable down ran", enel'l)'.

Chart2A

Shot Size Equivalence: Steel Vs. LeadNo.BBNo.2No.2No.4No.4No.6No.6

, ...2

.. ~.",., , . . ~

SteelLead

.. w ~ , ' ~ Steel.,


19/24

that hunters use two shot sizes larger in steel than theywould normally use in lead.(See Chart 2.) This givescomparable retained energy at a similar range.

So, an1 need to do is buy two shot sizes larger andI'm OK?No. Because it deforms less during loading and firing,steel shot flies truer and usually patterns tighter. Thehunter will want to use a more open choke than hewould use with lead shot.(See Chart 2A.) Hunters shouldsharpen their skills by shooting at clay targets beforegoing afield with steel shot. This will build confidence in. the hunter's ability to make clean kills with steel.

Do 1 need to learn to "shoot differently" with steelshot?Usually a steel load starts out with higher speed thana similar lead load, but slows down more quicklybecause it is lighter. It loses its speed advantagesomewhere downrange, usually at about 40 yards. Bystudying th e numbers in Chart 3 you will see that thedifference in how much you should lead a bird withsteel and with lead is very small. In practice you canforget th e difference most of the time.

How can 1 judge the proper lead?.. Estimating what is proper lead in a fraction of a secondon a passing bird is hard to do. Most field shootingschools teach the swing through method of lead because

each shooter tends to see lead a little differently. Theonly way to become good at judging proper lead is bypracticing good shooting techniques both in the field andon clay targets.ChartS

Remington LHd Shot LoadsMuzzle Leads In FeetRemington loadings Velocity Shot ( O n a a . l n g ~ - )lead Shot (ft. per sec.) Size 3Oyds. 40 yda.

12 Gauge 20/. InchPremier'" & 1330 6 5.0 7.3Exp .......Ozs.PR12 & SP12 4 4.9 7.0

2 4.8 6.8

BB 4.6 6.5

1 have heard a lo t about more cripples with steelshot.Yes, you probably have. But most studies show that ahunter's skill and taking shots closer than 35 yards havemore to do with clean kills than whether a hunter usessteel or lead shot. Practice with steel shot, judgingdistance, and careful shot selection will give the huntermore clean kills and fewer cripples.But what about us e on geese, when it's tough to getthat short shot?Again, practice and knowledge payoff. The OregonInstitute of Technology documented that steel shot insize BB would penetrate al l the way through a Canadagoose when breast shot at 40 yards. Chart 1 shows thatthe steel BB has even more retained energy at 40 yardsthan the lead No.2 shot. A well-placed shot and propershot selection make steel a lethal load. -How about m y shotgun barrel?Most modern firearms should not be damaged by usingsteel shot. New ammunition has a tough plastic casingaround the shot so it is completely covered during it stravel down the barrel. But to be sure, check with thefirearm manufacturer and get their specificrecommendations.Can I reload with steel shot?Reloading with steel can be done effectively. Newcomponents are on the market that make it possibleto get acceptable results reloading steel shot. It isnecessary to follow the instructions exactly, and useonly the wads, powder, and primers recommended bythe component suppliers in reloading steel shot. Anychanges could cause dangerously high pressure levelsand result in personal injury and damage to shotguns.

Remington Steel Shot LoadsMuzzle Leads In FeetRemington Loadings Velocity Shot ( O n a a . l n g ~ _ )Steel Shot (ft. per sec.) Size 30 yd. 4Oyda.

12 Gauge 2.lnchSteel Load 1365 6 5.2 7.711A1 Oz.STL12

4 5.0 7.3

2 4.8 7.0

BB 4.7 6.7Some of the infonnation appearing on this page is taken from the Remington publication "Shooting Steel Shot with Confidence. " reprinted courtesy Remington Arms Co. . Inc.30


20/24

How Far Can You Shoot a Rifle?Type oMile 1 Mile 2 Miles 3 Miles 4 Miles 5Miles

22 Short22LHV22 LRHV22 WIN. MAG .2222432707MMMAG.30-3030-06300SAV .300H&H30833835 REM. .45-70

oMile 1 Mile 2 Miles 3 Miles 4 Miles 5 Miles Maximum range at sea level. 0 M aximum range at 12,000 feet altitude. Reprint courtesy NSSF/SAAMI

How Far Can You Shoot a Shotgun?12 Gaupoman_For ShotSiMa. Oft. 500 It . 1000 ft. 1500 ft . 2000 ft. 2500 ft. 3000 ft. 3500 ft. 4000 ft. 4500 ft. 5000 ft . 5500 ftNo.9No.71f1No.6No . 5No.4No.2No. 0No. 00Slugoman_1 oz. slug410 slug

Oft. 500 ft. 1000 ft. 1500 ft. 2000 ft. 2500 ft. 3000 ft. 3500 ft. 4000 ft. 4500 ft. 5000 ft. 5500 ft

Maximum range at sea level. o Maximum range at 12,000 feet altitu de. Reprint courtesy NSSF/SAAMI

31


21/24

Firearms Handlingand SafetySafe, responsible fireanns handling is the mostimportant skill for hunters. Safe habits get rid of mostfirearm accidents.You can make a difference. You can help reducefirearms accidents. The things you learn in HunterEducation will help you. Since Hunter Educationbegan, the fireanns accident rate is lower in NorthAmerica. Hunter Education students learn the causeand prevention of fireanns accidents.How can you shoot safely? Always handle yourfirearm properly. You need three habits:

1. Always control the muzzle of your firearm.Point it safely. Keep your rmger off the trigger.Keep the action open when not shooting. Insistthat all in your group handle fIrearms safely.Real friends do not take dangerous chances.

2. Treat each firearm like a loaded firearm. Checkany fIrearm you hold. Is it unloaded? You needto know! When a fIrearm changes hands, leavethe action open.

3. Be sure of your target and what is beyond.Never shoot at a flash of color. Do not shoot ata sound. Never shoot at a shape in a tree. Canyou tell the sex of your target? Sometimes laws

Shot SizesNo. 9 8Y2 8 7Y2 6 5

SHOT SIZES iameterin inches .08 .085 .09 .095 . 11 .12BUCKSHOT e e e eDiameter No. 4 No.3 No. 2 No. Iin inches .24 .25 .27 .30

413

Use caution i f your firearm fails to fire when thetrigger is pulled. Occasionally a cartridge or shotgunshell may not flre. If this occurs, keep the muzzlepointed in a safe direction for one minute and thencarefully open the action. A mechanical failure or abroken part in the firearm may suddenly release thehammer or flring pin causing the cartridge to fire.Human mistakes cause accidents. Hunters musknow the causes of accidents. Then they can decide on

safe actions.Prevention is the key to safe hunting. Every typof accident can be prevented. Hunters must know andfollow the simple rules of the Ten Commandments oShooting Safety.

Hunters wearing blaze orange are highly visibleand less likely to be involved in vision-related huntingaccidents.Major Causes of Accidents

Do hunters often have accidents? Less than .1 oone percent of hunters have accidents. MorThe danger ofusing wrong ammunition.

2 I BB T F I 15 .16 . 18 .20 .22 INo. 0 No. 00 No. 000.32 .33 .36Lead Pellets Per Ounce (Approx). Steel P.P.O. (Approx .)SizeBB24532

Pellets Size Pellets Size50 6 225 BB87 71/2 350 I135 8 410 2170 9 585 46

Check state or provincial regulations to determine IepI ammunition usage.

Pellets72103125192315 Gauge and calibermarkings.


22/24

Ten Commandments ofShooting Safety1. Control the direction of your

firearm's muzzle. Carry your fIrearmsafely, keeping the safety on untilready to shoot. Keep your finger offthe trigger until ready to shoot.

2. Treat every fIrearm with the samerespect due a loaded firearm.

3. Identify your target and what isbeyond it. Know the identifyingfeatures of the game you hunt.

4. Be sure the barrel and action areclear of obstructions and that youhave only ammunition of the propersize for the firearm you are carrying.

5. Unload firearms when no t in use.Leave the actions open. Firearmsshould be carried empty in cases toand from shooting areas.

6. Never point a firearm at anythingyou do not want to shoot. Avoid al lhorseplay with a firearm.7. Never climb a fence or tree, or jump aditch or log, with a loaded firearm.Never pull a firearm toward you by

the muzzle.8. Never shoot a bullet at a flat, hard

surface or water. During targetpractice, be sure your backstop ISadequate.

9. Store firearms and ammunitionseparately beyond the reach ofchildren and careless adults.

10. Avoid alcoholic beverages or othermood-altering drugs before or whileshooting.

accidents happen at home, work, or in othersports. Most hunters in accidents are not HunterEducation students. Responsible people takeHunter Education. After their course, they ge ttheir hunting licenses. They have learnedaccident prevention.

Study th e causes of accidents. This will help youprevent them. There are three major causes ofaccidents. They are: safety violations, hunterjudgment, and lack of skill. Below are someexamples. How would you prevent each accidentcause?1. A firearm is moved around in a vehicle.2. A firearm falls from its leaning place.3. A hunter crosses an obstacle unsafely.4. Horseplay.5. A shooter cannot see his buddy.6. A hunter is mistaken for game.

Think about the following safety rules. Why iseach one important?1. Know where members of your group are.2. Wear hunter orange.3. Identify your target and beyond.4. Learn to cross obstacles safely.

33


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Heat Escape Lesseninglbsture (HELP) position

you reach your cooler or gas tank? Climb on it.Wet, cold and windy weather reduces your bodyheat. Shivering is an early sign of heat loss. Lossof control of limbs and muscles signals advancedhypothermia.How can you recognize advanced hypothermia?

The victim looks bluish-white. He will have aweak heartbeat. His breathing is shallow. Thebody muscles become rigid. The victim may beunconscious. This person needs dry clothing,warmth and a doctor. Handle the person gently.Every boat operator is responsible for safety.That means your safety and the safety of yourgroup. Make everyone use a PFD. Follow al lsafety rules. Do not allow horseplay. I f theweather changes, you are in charge. Be first tosuggest going to shore.Learn more about boat safety. Know aboutwater safety. Many areas have boating and watersafety classes. Ask your instructor about them.HypothermiaHypothermia means lowered bodytemperature. I t is a silent killer. I t takes heatfrom your inner body. You must know the signs ofhypothermia. Do you know what leads tohypothermia? A responsible hunter knows thesecauses.

Hypothermia can start in wet conditions. Thescan be rain, snow, or sleet. Sweating or evehumidity in the air can chill you.Wading sportsmen can fall into water. They gesoaked. This makes hypothermia more likely. Aboating accident could put you into the water. Yocould lose your life in less than an hour fromhypothermia.Moisture on brush and trees wets your clothingYou could get soaked slowly. Good raingear wikeep you warm and dry.Your own motions cause a breeze. Any wind cacool down your body. A long, cold boat ride coulcause hypothermia. A light mist with a gentlwind on a 45 degree day could cause hypothermiaIf you are wet and chilled, you are in danger.Wind makes moisture evaporate from- youbody. This lowers body temperature. Study thwind chill chart in this chapter.People in poor physical shape may becomhypothermic. Your body does not keep as warmwhen tired. Plan your hike well. Plan rest stopsThink about the slowest person in the group. Eawell. This helps your body stay warm. Drugs analcohol slow the body. Alcohol speeds the loss obody heat. Keep your body warm. This preventhypothermia.Often a victim does not recognize dangesigns. Oxygen has extra work to do in a colperson. Oxygen to the brain is reduced. Then, iis harder to understand what is happening. Dnot hunt alone. You may not see the signs ohypothermia.

What happens to a person with hypothermiaHis body cannot make up for heat loss. He shiversHe loses control of his arms and legs. He mastumble or seem confused. The next step is musclspasms. Total loss of body control may followLater the victim's skin turns bluish. His muscleare rigid. His breathing and heartbeat are weakHypothermia Prevention

Hypothermia can be prevented. Know itcauses. Use your head. Plan to avoid the causesYou must stay dry. What steps do you take if yoget wet? Get out of the wind. Change into drclothing. Build a fire and get warm.Avoid efforts which cause sweating andtiredness. Set a good pace. Match the easy pace othe slowest person. Dress in layers.Carry protection from the wind. A lighraincoat keeps breezes from your body. Use a coawhich lets your body breathe.

7


24/24

Keep your head warm. The head, face, and necklose body heat fast. "Ifyour feet are cold, put yourha t on," is a good rule. A bandanna will keepyour neck warm. You could tie it over your head.This would keep your ears and sides of your facewarm. Wool mittens keep your hands warm. Onefinger or gun-slit holes le t you shoot safely.Proper clothing is important. Wool is very good.I t is quiet in the woods. I t holds body heat well. Awool/cotton blend is good for longjohns. Thermalunderwear with a fishnet pattern holds in air.This keeps you warm.Plan trips carefully. Do not tire yourself. Incold, wet weather, eat well. Drink lots of warmliquids. This helps keep you warm. Alcohol willnot keep you warm.

Find shelter from bad weather. Carry and useyour personal survival kit.Always prevent hypothermia. I t is difficult tostop once started.Hypothermia Treatment

You suspect symptoms of hypothermia. Whatshould you do? Prompt care is urgent. Stop heatloss and regain body heat. Do not let things getworse.Get out of wet, windy weather. Get dry andwarm. Dry your wet clothing. Build a fire. Wringout your outer clothing. Take otT inner wear. Putouter wear back on. Wring inner layers. Dry themby the fire. Then pu t on dry inner clothes. Nowdry the outer layers.

Hypothermia is a killer. The advanced stagesare very dangerous. Doctors treat these stages.Getting soaked in driving rain can lead tohypothermia.

You can learn about the first stages ohypothermia. Take a first aid class before youhunting trip. Learn to care for hypothermia.

Hypothermia ChartMild Moderate Severes Shivering. Listlessness. Unresponsiveness.y Complaints of cold. mental confusion, Decreased pulsem Loss of refusal to and respiration.p coordination. recognize problem. Shivering stops.t Mental Uncontrollable0 shivering.withdrawal and Physical collapse.m Slurred speech.S apathy. Stumbling.

F End exposure - Get out of wet, Treatment shouldi ge t victim ou t of windy weather. Ge t be attempted only ifr cold and wet. dry and warm. victim cannot beS Replace we t Change to dr y evacuated to a hos-t clothing with dry, clothes if available. pital promptly forA or add insulation. Wrap in blankets professional care. Place victim in or sleeping bag. In such a c a s e ~i Deliver warmth tod warm If neither dr y the head and trunkenvironment . clothes nor of th e body by Offer warm liquids blankets are application of warmor food only if available. dry your wate r bot t les ,victim is fully wet clothing one warmed blankets orconscious. layer at a time. another warm body.

Water Survival ChartExhaustion or

I f th e Water Unconsciousness Expected TimeTemp. (OF) is .. Occurs In .. of Survival is ..32.5 Under 15 Minutes Under 15-45 Minutes

32.5-40.0 15-30 Minutes 30-90 Minutes40-50 30-60 Minutes 1- 3 Hours50-60 1- 2 Hours 1- 6 Hours60-70 2- 7 Hours 2-40 Hours70-80 3-12 Hours 3-Indefinitelyover 80 Indefini tely Indefinitely

Wind Chill IndexEstimated Actual Thermometer Reading ("F)

W : ~ d M S r . r 50 I 40 I 30 I 20 I 10 I 0 1.10 20 30 40 I 50 6Equivalent Temperature ("F)

Calm 50 40 30 20 10 0 10 20 30 40 50 65 48 37 27 16 6 5 15 26 36 47 57 -610 40 28 16 4 9 21 33 46 58 70 83 915 36 22 9 5 18 36 45 58 72 -85 99 1120 32 18 4 10 25 39 53 67 82 96 110 1225 30 16 0 15 29 44 59 14 88 104 118 1330 28 13 2 18 33 48 63 79 94 109 125 1435 27 11 4 20 35 49 67 82 98 113 129 1440 26 10 6 21 37 53 -69 85 -100 116 132 14

(Wind speeds LITILE DANGER INCREASING GREATf O ~ ~ hlittle (For properly clothed person I DANGER DANGERadditionaleffed) DANGER FROM FREEZING OF EXPOSED FLESH

florida hunter education manual

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