Wisconsin Hunter's Safety Practice Exam

How should you handle a firearm when crossing a fence or obstacle?

1. Keep the firearm loaded

2. Unload the firearm and pass it to the other side first

3. Throw the firearm over the obstacle

4. Place the firearm on the ground

The correct answer is: Unload the firearm and pass it to the other side first

When crossing a fence or obstacle, it is essential to handle the firearm safely to prevent any accidents or injuries. Unloading the firearm before crossing is the safest practice because it minimizes the risk of an unintentional discharge. This action ensures that there is no ammunition in the chamber, making the firearm safe to pass across the obstacle. Passing the unloaded firearm to the other side allows the shooter to safely navigate the fence or obstacle while ensuring that the firearm is not left unattended or handled improperly. This practice highlights the importance of maintaining control over the firearm at all times, as well as ensuring that the firearm is in a safe state before crossing. The other choices do not provide safe handling procedures. Keeping the firearm loaded increases the risk of accidents, throwing it over could lead to unpredictable consequences, and placing it on the ground may pose other safety risks, such as being stepped on, kicked, or otherwise mishandled. Therefore, unloading and passing the firearm to the other side is the best practice when crossing obstacles.