Forestry and Natural Resources
Unit 19: Rural Recreation
Unit 19: Rural Recreation
Lesson 5: California Hunting
Duration: 3 Hours
Students will be able to:
1. List the weapons used for hunting in California
2. Understand gun safety
3. Identify the major game animals in California
4. Understand the regulations for hunting in California
Suggested Learning Activities:
19.5A Hunting Weapons: Using slides, have students identify the weapons used for hunting in
California.
19.5B Hunting Issues Discussion: Have students discuss controversial issues in hunting (game
management, moral issues, environmental questions, over-hunting, etc.)
19.5C Visiting Lecturer from Hunting Club: Have an employee from a local hunting club come
talk to the students about gun safety and hunting opportunities in the area.
Teaching Outline
I. Hunting
A. Introduction
1. Reasons to hunt
a. Type of wildlife management (control population, preserve wild and open space)
b. Source of sport, recreation and exercise
c. Food source
d. Experience nature
e. Learn basic survival skills
f. Learn and practice firearm safety
B. Types of weapons used for hunting
1. Guns (TM p 25 & 26)
a. Shotgun: primarily used for up-land game, waterfowl and small mammals; short
range, low accuracy.
b. Rifle: primarily used for big game (deer, bear) and small, fast game (rabbits,
squirrels); long range and accurate.
c. Handgun: easy to transport; high accuracy at short range.
2. Bow and Arrow (TM p 27, 28 & 29)
a. Straight limb bow: traditional bow; used for archery.
b. Recurve bow: faster and easier to shot than straight limb; used for archery.
c. Compound bow: easy to shot, travel faster than above bows; used for archery.
d. Target bow: usually over 62 inches; primarily used for archery and target
(hunting) practice.
e. Hunting bow: under 62 inches; used for hunting.
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C. Gun Safety
1. Treat every gun as if it were loaded.
2. Always point the muzzle in a safe direction (i.e., away from people, nongame
animals, and buildings).
3. Be sure of your target and points beyond.
4. Use the right ammunition for your gun.
5. Know the proper carrying position for you gun/situation (TM p 30).
a. Double hand
b. Cradle
c. Elbow
d. Shoulder
e. Sling
f. Trail
6. No matter which position you use, always:
a. Have the safety on.
b. Hold your finger outside of the trigger guard.
c. Point the muzzle in a safe direction.
d. Keep you gun unload until you are hunting.
7. Never shot until you see the entire animal.
8. Accuracy
a. Know when you can and cannot make a shot.
b. Pass up chance shots - never shot to wound an animal.
c. Learn the vital spots of each animal you hunt.
d. Practice before you go out in the field.
9. Safe shooting zones
a. Know your fire zone.
b. Know where each hunter/companion is.
c. Avoid water and rocks.
10. Home safety
a. All family members should understand the dangers of a loaded gun.
b. Store guns unloaded and n a safe (locked) box, rack or case.
c. Store guns and ammunition separately.
11. Transportation
a. Never load a gun in the car.
b. Unload before getting in a boat.
c. Unload at any rest stop.
d. Unload in range of any building.
e. Unload before entering buildings.
f. Unload before crossing.
g. Place on other side of fence before crossing.
12.
Cleaning
a. Clean thoroughly after each use.
b. Always unload before cleaning.
c. Never have excessive grease or oil in the barrel of the gun (an cause explosion of
the barrel when fired.
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Unit 19: Rural Recreation
D. Hunting Dogs
1. Why use dogs?
a. Ensures more take.
b. Retrieves downed game.
c. Companionship
2. Type of hunting dogs
a. Retrievers (Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Chesapeake Bay Retriever)
b. Flushers (Springer Spaniel)
c. Pointers and other versatile breads (German Shorthaired Pointer, German
Wirehaired Pointer, English Setter, Vizsla, Weimaraner, Brittany Spaniel).
d. Hounds (Basset, American Fox, Beagle, Coonhound)
E. California Game
1. Large game animals
a. Antelope
b. Bear
c. Deer
d. Wild pig
2. Small game animals
a. Rabbits
b. Squirrels
c. Jackrabbits
3. Fur bearing animals
a. Mink
b. Fox
c. Badger
d. Muskrat
e. Beaver
f. Raccoon
4. Resident game birds
a. Doves
b. Turtledoves
c. Quail
d. Grouse
e. partridge
f. Pheasant
g. Turkey
5. Migratory game birds
a. Ducks
b. Geese
c. Coots
d. Western Morning Doves
e. Band Tailed Pidgeon
f. Jacksnipe
6. Nongame animals
a. Coyote
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Unit 19: Rural Recreation
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
English Sparrow
Starling
Weasel
Skunk
Opossum
Mole
Rodents
Crow
Bobcat
F. California hunting regulations
1. The California Department of Fish and Game regulates hunting in the state.
2. Hunting regulations are printed each year and are available through Fish and Game
and wherever licenses are sold.
3. Hunter safety course are required in California.
4. Any person who passes the hunter safety course is eligible to apply for a license.
G. Careers and occupation in hunting.
1. Hunting guide
2. Taxidermist
3. Hunting club operator
4. Gunsmith
5. Department of Fish and Game employee
6. Gun club operator
7. Dog breeder or trainer
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Unit 19: Rural Recreation
Basic Types of Firearms
Handgun
Rifle
Shotgun
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Unit 19: Rural Recreation
Parts of the Gun
Comb
Tang
Receiver Sight
Safety
(Optional) Action Chamber
(Thumb Slide
Flip-Up Rear Sight
Model)
(Optional)
Front Sight
Barrel
Bore
(Inside
of Barrel)
Heel
Butt
Plate
Toe
Bolt
Trigger Handle
Trigger
Pistol
Grip
Guard
Stock
Stock
(Optional in Shotguns)
Rear Sling Swivel
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Floor Plate
Magazine
Forearm
Stacking Swivel
(or forward sling
swivel)
Muzzle
Forestry and Natural Resources
Unit 19: Rural Recreation
Types of Bows
Straight Limb Bow
Recurve Bow
Compound Bow
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Unit 19: Rural Recreation
Parts of a Bow
Tip
String Nock
Upper Limb
Back
Compound
Bow
Back
Face
Nocking Point
Pivot Point
Recurve
Bow
Face
Arrow Plate
Handle
Bow String
Cable Anchor
Lower Limb
Eccentric
Eccentric
Hanger Bracket
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Parts of the Arrow
Nock
Cock Feather
Shaft
Crest
Broadhead
(Painted Design)
Crest
Nock
Cock Feather
Shaft
(painted design)
Arrow Length Measurement
(From bottom of nock to back of arrowhead.)
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Broadhead
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Unit 19: Rural Recreation
Common Rifle Carrying Positions
Cradle Carry
Shoulder Carry
Trail Carry
Elbow Carry
Sling Carry
Double Hand Carry
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