Wisconsin Hunter's Safety Practice Exam

If you find a wounded animal that has escaped, what should you do?

1. Leave it alone

2. Follow the blood trail or report it to the appropriate authorities

3. Try to capture it yourself

4. Return later to check for it

The correct answer is: Follow the blood trail or report it to the appropriate authorities

When you find a wounded animal that has escaped, the best course of action is to follow the blood trail or report it to the appropriate authorities. Following the blood trail can help you locate the animal while ensuring that you are tracking it safely and responsibly. This method is crucial in order to provide assistance to the animal, which may be suffering. Reporting the situation to the appropriate authorities, such as local wildlife officials or conservation officers, is also important. These professionals are trained to handle such situations and can take the necessary steps to legally and humanely address the issue. They may have the proper equipment and expertise to track and assess the animal's condition while maintaining safety for both the animal and any other people in the area. While other options, such as trying to capture the animal yourself or returning later to check for it, may seem reasonable, they carry risks. Attempting to capture a wounded animal can pose dangers to both you and the animal, as frightened or injured wildlife can act unpredictably. Leaving the animal alone does not contribute to resolving the problem effectively, as it does not provide any aid to the struggling animal or contribute to proper wildlife management. Therefore, following the blood trail while also considering reporting the injury to authorities is the most responsible and ethical