TWRA Firearm Safety and Handling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'know your target and what is beyond it' require a hunter to do before firing?
- Identify the animal species and confirm it is legal to harvest
- Confirm the target, assess the background for people or property, and evaluate the bullet's potential path beyond the target (Correct answer)
- Make sure the target is within the firearm's effective range
- Verify the firearm is loaded with the correct caliber ammunition
Correct answer: Confirm the target, assess the background for people or property, and evaluate the bullet's potential path beyond the target
Bullets can travel far beyond the intended target, so hunters must identify what lies downrange to prevent injury to people, livestock, or property.
Question 2: What is a hunter's 'safe zone of fire' and why is it important when hunting with companions?
- The maximum distance a bullet can travel safely in an open field
- The designated shooting lane directly in front of each hunter where they should aim
- The area within which it is safe to discharge a firearm without endangering other hunters in the group (Correct answer)
- The range at which a particular firearm is most accurate
Correct answer: The area within which it is safe to discharge a firearm without endangering other hunters in the group
Each hunter in a group has a safe zone of fire — typically a 45-degree arc in front — ensuring no hunter shoots in the direction of another, preventing accidents.
Question 3: A student asks why you should never point a firearm at anything you do not intend to shoot, even when unloaded. What is the best answer?
- It is disrespectful to other hunters in the field
- It develops unsafe habits that persist when the firearm is loaded (Correct answer)
- Unloaded firearms can still cause injury from the barrel
- It may cause the firearm's safety to disengage
Correct answer: It develops unsafe habits that persist when the firearm is loaded
Pointing an unloaded firearm carelessly builds bad habits that will translate to dangerous behavior when the firearm is loaded, potentially causing tragic accidents.
Question 4: Which carrying position is most appropriate when hunting in a group where the muzzle must be controlled relative to other hunters?
- Elbow carry, with the stock resting in the crook of the arm
- Trail carry, with the firearm held at the grip pointing downward
- Cradle carry, with the muzzle angled across the chest toward companions
- Two-handed carry, with the barrel pointed at a safe zone away from other hunters (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Two-handed carry, with the barrel pointed at a safe zone away from other hunters
A two-handed carry with the muzzle directed away from any companions gives the most control over where the muzzle points while providing a quick transition to a shooting position.
Question 5: What should a hunter do immediately if their firearm fails to fire after pulling the trigger (a misfire)?
- Immediately open the action to check the chamber
- Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and wait at least 30 seconds before opening the action (Correct answer)
- Hand the firearm to a partner to examine
- Tap the stock hard to dislodge the cartridge and try again
Correct answer: Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and wait at least 30 seconds before opening the action
A 'hangfire' — a delayed ignition — can occur, so the hunter must wait at least 30 seconds with the muzzle in a safe direction before opening the action to prevent injury from a late discharge.
Question 6: When transporting a firearm in a vehicle in Tennessee, what does hunter education recommend regarding loading status?
- The firearm may remain loaded if the safety is engaged
- Firearms should be unloaded and cased or secured in a gun rack (Correct answer)
- A loaded firearm is acceptable in the trunk of a vehicle
- Only handguns need to be unloaded during vehicle transport
Correct answer: Firearms should be unloaded and cased or secured in a gun rack
Hunter education best practices and Tennessee law recommend transporting firearms unloaded and cased or secured to prevent accidents during transit.
Question 7: What is the danger of an obstructed barrel, and how should a hunter check for this condition?
- An obstruction increases accuracy and is not a safety concern
- An obstruction can cause the barrel to burst when fired; visually inspect the barrel to ensure it is clear before use (Correct answer)
- Obstructions only affect semi-automatic firearms
- A barrel obstruction will prevent the firearm from firing, making it safe to use
Correct answer: An obstruction can cause the barrel to burst when fired; visually inspect the barrel to ensure it is clear before use
Even a small obstruction like mud or snow can cause dangerous pressure buildup and barrel failure when the firearm is fired, potentially injuring the shooter.
TWRA Firearm Safety and Handling 2
What does 'know your target and what is beyond it' require a hunter to do before firing?