Module 4 of 8 Core
Weapons & Marksmanship Fundamentals
Understand the weapon families a hunter may use, set one up correctly, and build the marksmanship to make a clean, ethical shot, the parts that transfer across all game.
Best after: Safety First
Lessons
12 lessons in this module · 60 across the path
- Firearm Types Overview Rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, and how each works at a high level.
- Rifle & Caliber Fundamentals How rifles work and what caliber means (species-specific caliber choice stays in the species track).
- Shotgun Fundamentals Gauges, choke, and shot-vs-slug basics, and safe handling.
- Muzzleloader Fundamentals How muzzleloaders load, ignite, and fire, and basic safe handling.
- Archery & Crossbow Basics How bows and crossbows work, the key terms, and what a basic setup involves. VERIFY legal methods/seasons with SCDNR.
- Ballistics Fundamentals Trajectory, drop, energy, and zero distance: the universal physics of a projectile.
- Optics Basics: Scopes, Binoculars & Rangefinders What each does, how to choose, and how to use glass to see and range.
- Rangefinding & Distance Estimation Knowing true distance for confident shot/no-shot decisions.
- Sighting-In & Zeroing Setting and confirming a reliable zero before season.
- Marksmanship & Shooting Fundamentals Stance, breathing, sight picture, trigger control, follow-through, and practicing field positions.
- Shooting Positions & Field Rests Building stable positions across weapon types, prone, sitting, kneeling, standing, off sticks/bipod, and braced on a tree or pack, as a transferable real-world skill.
- Firearm Cleaning & Maintenance Basic cleaning, lubrication, function checks before season, and clearing/storing safely, the universal upkeep behind a dependable firearm.