Official Florida bowhunting safety course Link to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Hello, bowhunter! Florida's online bowhunter course has moved. Click here to go to the latest version of the Bowhunter Florida course—the official bowhunting safety course of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Go to the new Florida course

The following course material is for reference only. Please go to the new course to complete your Florida certification.

Chapter 5: Preparation Before the Hunt
Preparing to Hunt Your Quarry

One of the most critical steps in preparation is educating yourself about the game you’re hunting. Understanding your quarry will increase your success and add to the enjoyment of the experience.

Study Your Quarry

Bowhunter following tracks in the snow

A prepared bowhunter will study the quarry and learn about the animal’s habits, food preferences, habitat and other characteristics. Knowledge of the animal’s anatomy will provide an aiming point in the vital area.

Knowing game sign is also critical. Game sign provides clues that help you locate game. Sight, hearing, smell, and touch all come into play when reading game sign.

Visual Signs

  • Tracks
  • Scrapes or rubs made by head, antlers or hooves
  • Scat (droppings)
  • Terrain that may shelter or attract animals
  • Trampled vegetation
  • Hair or feathers
  • Trails
  • Browse (roughly torn twigs, buds or leaf endings)

Auditory Signs

  • Bleating or calling signs
  • Calls from other animals, such as deer snorts

Scent Signs

  • Musk or rut odors
  • Urine

Feel Signs

  • Checking the freshness of tracks or other visual signs

Scout the Hunting Area

Scouting an area prior to the hunting season is another important part of pre-hunt preparation.

  • Topographic maps indicate features such as water, fields and wooded areas.
  • Careful, slow travel in the area may identify game trails, bedding areas, waterholes and other game sign that will be extremely valuable when hunting season opens.
  • "Stump-sitting" is a great way to quietly observe the area without disturbing the wildlife. Early morning and late afternoon are prime times for spotting game.
  • The best time to scout is after the hunting season and before leaf-out.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
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Official bowhunting safety course for Florida bowhunters last modified: March 10, 2011
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