Arkansas Hunters Ed Practice Exam

What is the typical sign of a deer that has been shot?

1. Tracks on the ground

2. Blood or hair indicating the hit location

3. A gutted carcass

4. Ruffled vegetation

The correct answer is: Blood or hair indicating the hit location

A typical sign of a deer that has been shot is blood or hair indicating the hit location. When a deer is struck by a bullet or arrow, it often leaves behind blood, which can help hunters determine the severity of the injury and the deer's potential path after the shot. Additionally, hair may be present at the site of the impact, providing clues about where the deer was hit and whether it was a lethal shot. Tracking blood and hair is essential for assessing the situation, as it allows hunters to make informed decisions about whether to follow the blood trail for recovery or to give the animal time to expire if hit lightly. This knowledge is crucial for ethical hunting practices. The presence of tracks or ruffled vegetation may indicate a deer’s presence or movement but does not specifically point to the fact that the deer has been shot. The presence of a gutted carcass indicates that the animal has been field-dressed after being harvested, which is a different stage in the hunting process.