New Brunswick Bowhunter Practice Exam

New Brunswick Bowhunter Practice Exam: all 60 questions

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1. 1. Modern bowhunting in North America owes a lot to a friendship that began around 1911 in San Francisco, when Ishi, the last surviving member of the Yahi people, taught a doctor to make and shoot a bow. Who was that doctor?

   1. ASaxton Pope, who went on to hunt big game with a bow
   2. BFred Bear, who later built one of the continent's big archery companies
   3. CHolless Wilbur Allen, who later patented the compound bow
   4. DHoward Hill, who later became famous for trick shooting in films
   Show the answer

   ASaxton Pope, who went on to hunt big game with a bow

   Saxton Pope was a physician at the University of California when Ishi came to live at its museum. Ishi showed him how the Yahi made bows and arrows and how they hunted with them. Pope and his friend Art Young then took the bow after deer, bear and more, and Pope's 1923 book on it drew a new generation into the sport. That's the thread modern bowhunting grew from.

2. 2. Holless Wilbur Allen, a Missouri bowhunter, patented a new kind of bow in 1969. What did his design change for hunters?

   1. AIt was the first bow with fibreglass laminated into the limbs
   2. BIts cams let the weight drop off at full draw, so holding is easier
   3. CIt fired arrows from a grooved track with a trigger, like a crossbow
   4. DIt was the first bow made entirely of carbon
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   BIts cams let the weight drop off at full draw, so holding is easier

   Allen's compound bow uses eccentric wheels, or cams, and cables. Pull it back and the weight peaks partway through the draw, then falls away as the cams roll over. That let-off means you can hold at full draw far longer than with a longbow or recurve of the same weight, which is exactly what a hunter needs while a deer takes one more step. Most bows sold for hunting today descend from his idea.

3. 3. The main record-keeping club for big game taken with a bow in North America is called the Pope and Young Club. Where does the name come from?

   1. AFrom the two New Brunswick hunters who founded it in the 1960s
   2. BFrom a pair of bow makers whose company built the first compound bows
   3. CFrom Saxton Pope and Art Young, pioneers of the early 1900s
   4. DFrom the first two bowhunters to take a moose with an arrow in Canada
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   CFrom Saxton Pope and Art Young, pioneers of the early 1900s

   The club, founded in 1961, borrowed its name from the two men who did more than anyone to prove the point in the early 1900s. Pope and Young hunted with bows they made themselves, kept careful notes, and wrote about fair chase. Naming the club after them tied modern bowhunting back to that ethic, not just to the size of the antlers.

4. 4. Arrow shafts have changed a great deal since Pope and Young's day. Which order reflects how the main hunting shaft materials arrived?

   1. ACarbon, then wood, then aluminum
   2. BAluminum, then wood, then carbon
   3. CWood, then carbon, then aluminum
   4. DWood, then aluminum, then carbon
   Show the answer

   DWood, then aluminum, then carbon

   Pope and Young shot wooden arrows, and plenty of traditional archers still do. Aluminum shafts took over in the decades after the Second World War because they came out straighter and more uniform. Carbon followed late in the century, lighter and tougher again. Whatever you shoot, the shaft has to match your bow's draw weight and your draw length, which is a question for a good archery shop.

5. 5. You were born in 1985 and you've never hunted with a bow. What does New Brunswick require before you can?

   1. AA recognized bowhunter course that includes a practical component
   2. BThe Firearms Safety/Hunter Education course, which covers bows as well
   3. CNothing beyond buying the licence, as long as you're over 18
   4. DA signed affidavit at the vendor saying you have bowhunted before
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   AA recognized bowhunter course that includes a practical component

   Two groups have to take bowhunter training: anyone born on or after 1 January 1981, and anyone hunting with a bow for the first time. You're in both. The Minister only recognizes courses that include a practical component, so expect a shooting test on top of the written exam. The affidavit route is for hunters born before 1981 who can show an earlier bow licence.

   Source: Government of New Brunswick, Bow Hunting Course: All first-time bowhunters as well as persons born on, or after, January 1, 1981, are required to complete Bowhunter training before they may hunt in the province. Checked 2026-09-22.

6. 6. Your cousin only ever plans to hunt deer with a bow. Does New Brunswick also make her take the Firearms Safety/Hunter Education course?

   1. AYes, since every hunter needs it before any other course
   2. BNo, not if she hunts only with a bow
   3. COnly if she's under 16 on the day she buys her first licence
   4. DOnly if she hunts during the firearm season
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   BNo, not if she hunts only with a bow

   This surprises a lot of people. New Brunswick states outright that Firearms Safety/Hunter Education is no longer required for someone who hunts only with a bow. Her requirement is the stand-alone bowhunter course with its practical test. If she ever picks up a rifle or shotgun for hunting, that changes.

   Source: Government of New Brunswick, Bow Hunting Course: Firearms Safety/Hunter Education is no longer required by persons wishing to hunt ONLY WITH A BOW. Checked 2026-09-22.

7. 7. You have permission to hunt a woodlot that backs onto a neighbour's house. How close to that dwelling may you discharge a bow or crossbow?

   1. ANo closer than 400 metres, the same as a rifle
   2. BNo closer than 200 metres, the same as a shotgun
   3. CNo closer than 100 metres, for bows and crossbows alike
   4. DAnywhere on the woodlot, since arrows don't carry far
   Show the answer

   CNo closer than 100 metres, for bows and crossbows alike

   New Brunswick scales the no-discharge distance to the weapon. Rifles and slug guns sit at 400 metres, other shotguns and muzzleloaders at 200, and bows and crossbows at 100. The same distance applies to a school, playground, athletic field, solid waste site or place of business. Pace it off or check it on a map before the season, not in the moment.

   Source: Government of New Brunswick, Hunt & Trap Regulations Summary 2026-2027: It is illegal to discharge any bow or crossbow within 100 metres of a dwelling, school, playground, athletic field, solid waste disposal site or place of business. Checked 2026-09-22.

8. 8. Which of these arrowheads would be illegal on a New Brunswick hunt?

   1. AA fixed-blade broadhead 25 mm wide, used for deer
   2. BA small game field point, used for grouse
   3. CA three-blade broadhead 22 mm wide, used for bear
   4. DA barbed broadhead, whatever the game
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   DA barbed broadhead, whatever the game

   The rule lists four things an arrowhead or bolt can't be: barbed, poisoned, fitted with rippers, or designed to explode. A barb holds the head in the animal instead of letting it pass through, which is exactly what you don't want. The other three are fine: both broadheads clear the 20 mm minimum for big game, and field points are allowed for small game.

   Source: Government of New Brunswick, Hunt & Trap Regulations Summary 2026-2027: Arrowheads and arrow shafts or bolts and bolt shafts used in hunting cannot be barbed, coated with poison, equipped with rippers or designed to explode. Checked 2026-09-22.

9. 9. New Brunswick's crossbow guide gives a landowner-relations reason for recovering every bolt you shoot. What is it?

   1. AA bolt left behind can injure livestock and cause problems for the farmer
   2. BLost bolts count against your licence if a conservation officer finds them
   3. CLandowners are entitled to keep any bolt found on their property
   4. DA bolt left in a field tells other hunters where you've been hunting
   Show the answer

   AA bolt left behind can injure livestock and cause problems for the farmer

   Think about who walks that field after you've gone home. Cattle, horses, the farmer on a tractor and the farmer's kids can all find a razor broadhead the hard way. Retrieving every arrow is part of what keeps a landowner saying yes. So is asking well before the season, and thanking them afterward.

10. 10. A friend with a shoulder injury fits his compound bow with a device that holds it at full draw. How does New Brunswick treat that bow?

    1. AAs an ordinary bow, since it still has a string and limbs
    2. BUnder the crossbow rules, but with bow draw weights
    3. CAs a crossbow in every respect, including the 68 kg minimum
    4. DAs illegal for hunting in any form, whatever its draw weight
    Show the answer

    BUnder the crossbow rules, but with bow draw weights

    Once a mechanical device holds the string back for you, the bow behaves like a crossbow in the ways that matter for safety, so the crossbow rules apply. The one exception is draw weight: he still needs the bow minimums, 20 kg for deer, moose or bear and 10 kg for other species, not the crossbow's 68 kg.

    Source: Government of New Brunswick, Hunt & Trap Regulations Summary 2026-2027: Any bow that has an attached mechanical device that holds the bow at full or partial draw is subject to the same regulations as crossbows, with the exception of draw weights. Checked 2026-09-22.

11. 11. New Brunswick's crossbow guide tells you to shoot only within your effective range. How does it define that range?

    1. AThe farthest distance printed on your scope's reticle
    2. BWhatever distance the manufacturer lists as the maximum
    3. CWhere you can consistently hit a 10 to 15 cm target
    4. DThe distance at which your bolt still carries enough speed to pass through
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    CWhere you can consistently hit a 10 to 15 cm target

    Your effective range is about you, not the equipment. A crossbow might carry energy well past 40 metres, but if you can't keep your shots inside a circle roughly the size of a deer's vitals at that distance, it's beyond your range. Find that number at the target before the season, and treat it as a hard limit in the woods.

12. 12. Your first bolts from a brand new crossbow are about to hit paper. What distances does the provincial guide work you through, and how many shots at each?

    1. AAt 40 metres, then work in closer until the bolts group
    2. BWith broadheads from the first shot, so you only have to sight in once
    3. CFreehand and in a breeze, to copy hunting conditions
    4. DStart at 10 metres, step out to 40, three shots or more at each
    Show the answer

    DStart at 10 metres, step out to 40, three shots or more at each

    Start close so your first bolts are sure to hit the target, then step back in stages. Three shots at each distance gives you a group rather than a single lucky hole. The guide also wants a shooting rest and still air for this job, and weight-matched field tips first, switching to broadheads of the same weight for the final check.

13. 13. What shot distance does New Brunswick's crossbow guide say most crossbow hunters prefer, and what do manufacturers generally give as the ceiling?

    1. AAbout 20 metres preferred, with 40 metres as the ceiling
    2. BAbout 40 metres preferred, with 80 metres generally the maximum
    3. CAbout 10 metres preferred, with 20 metres generally the maximum
    4. DAbout 30 metres preferred, with no maximum given
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    AAbout 20 metres preferred, with 40 metres as the ceiling

    A crossbow feels like a rifle when you shoulder it, and that's the trap. Its bolt drops and slows like an arrow, and the guide says crossbow range is similar to a bow's. Twenty metres is the comfortable shot most hunters plan for. Forty is the outside figure makers suggest, and only if your own effective range stretches that far.

14. 14. You'll be hunting from a tree stand in late October. Why should some of your summer practice be from an elevated platform, dressed in the layers you'll wear?

    1. ABecause practising on flat ground in light clothing is illegal after September
    2. BBecause angle and bulky clothing both change your form
    3. CBecause arrows fly faster when shot downhill, so your sight pins need to move
    4. DBecause it helps your scent soak into the stand before the season
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    BBecause angle and bulky clothing both change your form

    Shooting down from height changes how you bend, where your anchor sits and how the arrow meets the target. Heavy sleeves can catch the string, and a thick collar can move your anchor. None of that shows up on the back lawn in a T-shirt. Rehearse the real conditions and the first shot of the season won't be the first time you've felt them.

15. 15. Before each outing, what does New Brunswick's crossbow guide ask you to look over?

    1. AOnly the scope battery, since everything else rarely fails
    2. BNothing, if the crossbow is less than a year old
    3. CThe crossbow and bolts, for damage or wear
    4. DOnly the broadheads, for sharpness
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    CThe crossbow and bolts, for damage or wear

    Crossbows store a lot of energy in short, heavy limbs, and a worn string or a cracked bolt can let go at the worst moment. The guide asks for an inspection every time you use it, with worn or damaged parts repaired or replaced. A cracked bolt is especially dangerous, because it can break on release.

16. 16. A friend from Québec brings his deer bow to a New Brunswick hunt. It's set at 18 kg, the Québec minimum, and shoots 22 mm broadheads. Does it pass here?

    1. AYes, since Québec's standard is stricter on broadhead width
    2. BYes, because any bow legal in a neighbouring province is recognized
    3. CNo, the bow needs at least 20 kg for deer, though his 22 mm heads clear the 20 mm minimum
    4. DNo, both the draw weight and the broadheads fall short of what's required here
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    CNo, the bow needs at least 20 kg for deer, though his 22 mm heads clear the 20 mm minimum

    The two provinces set their numbers differently. New Brunswick wants at least 20 kg of draw weight for deer, moose and bear, with broadheads no narrower than 20 mm. His heads are fine at 22 mm, but 18 kg is below the line, so he'd need to turn the bow up if it has room, or bring another. Ten kilograms is New Brunswick's floor for other species.

    Source: Government of New Brunswick, Hunt & Trap Regulations Summary 2026-2027: A bow having a draw weight of not less than 20 kilograms (45 pounds) together with arrows fitted with broadheads no less than 20 millimetres in width Checked 2026-09-22.

17. 17. The crossbow you're eyeing for moose has a 60 kg draw weight and a working safety. Would it be legal for moose in New Brunswick?

    1. AYes, since any crossbow with a safety is legal for big game
    2. BYes, as long as the broadheads are at least 20 mm wide
    3. COnly during the archery-only season, when fewer hunters are out
    4. DNo, it needs at least 68 kg (150 lb)
    Show the answer

    DNo, it needs at least 68 kg (150 lb)

    Sixty kilograms falls short. For deer, moose and bear, New Brunswick wants a crossbow of at least 68 kg, fitted with broadheads 20 mm or wider, and the province's guide adds that hunting crossbows must have a safety. Check the weight on the maker's specifications before you buy, not after.

    Source: Government of New Brunswick, Crossbow Hunting in New Brunswick: Crossbows used to hunt deer, moose and bear must have a minimum draw weight of 68 kg (150 lbs) and be fitted with broadheads no less than 20 mm (7/8 in) in width. Checked 2026-09-22.

18. 18. New Brunswick's crossbow guide talks about a crossbow's shorter power stroke. What does that term describe?

    1. AHow far the string travels while pushing the bolt
    2. BHow long the crossbow can safely stay cocked
    3. CThe distance a bolt flies before it starts to drop
    4. DThe force it takes to pull the trigger
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    AHow far the string travels while pushing the bolt

    The power stroke is the stretch of string travel that actually does the work. On a crossbow it's about half of what a compound gives you, so the limbs have to be much heavier to make up for it. The guide puts it at more than twice a compound's draw weight for the same arrow speed. That's why crossbow limbs are short and stiff, and why cocking one takes real effort.

19. 19. Why does the New Brunswick guide insist your bolts match the length, weight and spine your crossbow calls for?

    1. ABecause mismatched bolts are illegal to carry in a resort of wildlife
    2. BBecause the wrong bolts can damage it and injure people
    3. CBecause only matched bolts can take a lighted nock
    4. DBecause heavier bolts always fly flatter, whatever the crossbow
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    BBecause the wrong bolts can damage it and injure people

    A crossbow pushes an enormous load into a short shaft. If the bolt is too light or too flexible for that load, it can fail, and the energy that should have gone downrange goes back into the limbs and the string. Your owner's manual lists what the crossbow needs. When in doubt, ask an archery shop rather than guess.

20. 20. After cocking, you notice the string sits a little off-centre on the latch. What will that do to your shots?

    1. ANothing, as long as the safety is on
    2. BMake the bolt fly high
    3. CPush your hits off to one side of the target
    4. DDouble the wear on the limbs but leave accuracy alone
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    CPush your hits off to one side of the target

    The serving has to sit evenly on both sides of the latch, or the string pushes the bolt slightly sideways and your hits shift to one side. A rope cocker or crank helps centre it every time. You can also mark the string with a permanent marker so a glance tells you whether it's straight.

21. 21. Your crossbow scope shows several crosshairs stacked one above the other. What are they for?

    1. AChoosing between daylight aiming and a low-light aiming point at dusk
    2. BAllowing for wind drift at a single distance
    3. CLining up the string before you cock
    4. DEach matches a set distance, such as 20, 30 and 40 metres
    Show the answer

    DEach matches a set distance, such as 20, 30 and 40 metres

    A bolt drops faster than a bullet, so one aiming point can't serve every distance. Multi-crosshair scopes give you a point for each common range. Some let you dial in your crossbow's arrow speed, sight in at 20, and have the lower crosshairs fall into place. The guide still wants you to confirm each one with practice shots.

22. 22. Your arrows keep grouping low and to the right. Using the follow-the-arrow rule for a pin sight, which way do you move the pin?

    1. ADown and to the right
    2. BUp and to the left
    3. CUp and to the right
    4. DDown and to the left
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    ADown and to the right

    With a pin sight, you move the pin toward where the arrows are landing. Low hits mean the pin goes down; hits to the right mean it goes right. Moving the pin that way makes you raise the bow and swing it left to line up, which walks the group back to centre. Scopes work differently: follow the click values on the dials.

23. 23. What's the main job of a rope cocker or a hand crank on a crossbow?

    1. ALetting the crossbow be carried cocked more safely
    2. BCutting the effort of cocking by half or more
    3. CReplacing the safety catch
    4. DAdding draw weight so the crossbow meets the legal minimum
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    BCutting the effort of cocking by half or more

    Cocking a 68 kg crossbow by hand is hard work, and hard work leads to crooked strings and slipped feet. A rope cocker lets you use your legs and back; a crank works like a boat winch. Either cuts the effort by 50% or more and pulls the string back evenly. Whatever you use, keep your foot firmly in the stirrup, because if it slips the crossbow can jump up at you.

24. 24. A buck is quartering toward you at 18 metres. New Brunswick's crossbow guide names two shot angles as the most effective. Which are they?

    1. AHead-on and quartering toward
    2. BQuartering toward and straight down from a stand
    3. CBroadside and head-on
    4. DBroadside and quartering away
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    DBroadside and quartering away

    Broadside gives you the widest window into the chest. Quartering away angles the arrow forward through the ribs into the heart and lungs, with no heavy shoulder in the way. Quartering toward puts that shoulder and leg bone right in the path. Let the buck walk past and turn. With a bow, patience is part of the shot.

25. 25. A moose stands broadside at 20 metres. Which area should your bolt be aimed at?

    1. AThe chest cavity, over the heart and lungs
    2. BThe neck, since it's the quickest kill
    3. CThe hindquarters, to stop the animal from running off into cover
    4. DWherever gives the clearest view at the moment of the shot
    Show the answer

    AThe chest cavity, over the heart and lungs

    An arrow or bolt kills by bleeding, so you want it where the most blood moves: the heart, the lungs and the major vessels around them in the chest. A hit there brings the animal down quickly and humanely. Anywhere else risks a wounded animal and a long night of tracking.

26. 26. You hold a New Brunswick licence to hunt deer with a bow, and it's the archery-only season. When can you go without hunter orange?

    1. AFor the whole archery season, walking in and out included
    2. BOnce in your stand or blind, archery season only
    3. CNever, since orange is required every day from September to December
    4. DOnly in the last half hour of legal light
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    BOnce in your stand or blind, archery season only

    The exemption is narrower than people assume. It covers bow and crossbow deer hunters, during the deer archery season, once they're in a tree stand or ground blind. Walking to and from the stand, you're back in orange. When the firearm season opens, the exemption no longer applies.

    Source: Government of New Brunswick, Hunt & Trap Regulations Summary 2026-2027: bow and crossbow hunters licensed to hunt deer once in a tree stand or ground blind during the deer archery season only Checked 2026-09-22.

27. 27. A doe is feeding toward your stand and will soon be in range. When should you draw your bow?

    1. AAs soon as you see her, so you're ready
    2. BWhen she stops broadside and looks straight at you
    3. CWhen her head is down or hidden behind a tree
    4. DOnly after she has walked past and is quartering toward you
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    CWhen her head is down or hidden behind a tree

    Drawing a bow is the biggest movement you'll make all day, and a deer's eyes are built to catch motion. Wait for a moment when she can't see you: head down feeding, or eye hidden behind a trunk. Drawing too early means holding too long, and your arms will start to shake just as she steps clear.

28. 28. You've just released on a deer and it bounds off into the spruce. What's the most useful thing to do before you move?

    1. AClimb down right away and follow before the trail cools
    2. BNock another arrow and shoot again at the running animal
    3. CCall your partner to drive the deer back toward you
    4. DNote where it stood and where it vanished, and listen
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    DNote where it stood and where it vanished, and listen

    Those few seconds after the shot give you the information your search will depend on. Pick a landmark at the spot where the deer stood and another where it vanished, note how it reacted, and listen for a crash. Then stay put and give it time. An arrow-hit deer that's pushed early often runs further and hides.

29. 29. The wind is blowing from your stand toward the trail you expect deer to use. What should you do?

    1. AMove so the wind blows from the trail toward your stand
    2. BStay put and spray a cover scent on your boots
    3. CStay put, since deer don't notice human scent in a tree stand
    4. DMove closer to the trail so you can shoot before they smell you
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    AMove so the wind blows from the trail toward your stand

    A deer trusts its nose over its eyes. If your scent is drifting onto the trail, deer will wind you before they're in bow range, and some will leave for good. Pick stands for the wind you actually get, and keep a second one for the days it shifts. Height and scent control help, but they don't beat a bad wind.

30. 30. Why do so many bowhunters wait in a stand or blind rather than still-hunt?

    1. ABecause still-hunting with a bow isn't permitted in New Brunswick
    2. BBecause a bow needs the animal close, calm and unaware
    3. CBecause arrows can't be shot at a moving animal
    4. DBecause stands let you shoot farther than on the ground
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    BBecause a bow needs the animal close, calm and unaware

    Everything about bowhunting depends on getting close without being noticed, then drawing and shooting without spooking the animal. A hunter on the move is easier to see and hear. A hunter sitting still in good cover, with the wind right, lets the deer come to them. Still-hunting with a bow is possible and legal, just much harder.

31. 31. Your partner slices his forearm on a broadhead and it's bleeding hard. What comes first?

    1. AA tourniquet, before anything else
    2. BRinsing the cut with cold creek water until the bleeding stops on its own
    3. CFirm, direct pressure on the wound
    4. DWalking him straight back to the truck
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    CFirm, direct pressure on the wound

    Direct pressure stops most bleeding, and it's the first thing to do. Press hard with the cleanest cloth you have and keep pressing. If blood soaks through, add more on top rather than lifting the first layer. Broadheads are made to cut blood vessels, which is why a hard-cased quiver and a broadhead wrench are worth carrying.

32. 32. A hunter falls from his stand. He's conscious and complains of neck pain. What does standard first aid say about moving him?

    1. ASit him up so he can breathe more easily
    2. BHelp him walk it off before he stiffens up
    3. CCarry him out between two people right away
    4. DKeep him still unless he's in immediate danger
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    DKeep him still unless he's in immediate danger

    Neck or back pain after a fall means you should treat it as a possible spinal injury. Moving him could make it much worse. Keep him warm and still, support his head where it lies, and send for help with a clear location. Moving him is only right when staying put is more dangerous, such as from fire or water.

33. 33. After a slip, you're hanging from the tree in your full-body harness, unhurt. Why is it still an emergency?

    1. ABlood pools in your legs, which can turn dangerous fast
    2. BThe harness will slowly stretch and lower you to the ground, often too fast
    3. CIt isn't one, since the harness has done its job
    4. DOnly because you might drop your bow
    Show the answer

    ABlood pools in your legs, which can turn dangerous fast

    The harness saved you from the fall, but hanging still is dangerous in its own right. Blood collects in the legs and less returns to the heart and brain. Get back onto the stand or down to the ground as fast as you safely can. If you can't, push against the tree or use a relief strap so you can keep your legs moving while help comes.

34. 34. You hunt alone from a stand. Where should your phone or whistle be while you're up there?

    1. AIn your pack, hanging from the tree
    2. BOn your body, within reach if you fall
    3. CIn the truck, so it doesn't make noise
    4. DOn the ground at the base of the tree
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    BOn your body, within reach if you fall

    Your pack on the hook or on the ground is exactly where you can't reach it if something goes wrong. Keep the phone or whistle in a zipped pocket on you. Tell someone which stand you're in and when you'll be back, so help knows where to look if you can't call.

35. 35. When does New Brunswick's crossbow guide want you attached to the tree while hunting from a stand?

    1. AOnly once you're seated on the platform
    2. BOnly while you're shooting
    3. CAt all times, in a full-body harness
    4. DOnly when the platform is more than about 3 metres off the ground
    Show the answer

    CAt all times, in a full-body harness

    Falls from stands cause a large share of serious hunting injuries, and many happen on the way up or the way down. The guide doesn't carve out a moment when it's fine to be loose: wear a full-body harness and stay connected to the tree the whole time. A lifeline running from the ground to the platform lets you do that while you climb.

36. 36. You're hunting from a stand with a crossbow. In what order does the New Brunswick guide have you do things?

    1. AClimb with the crossbow slung, cock it at the top, then load
    2. BCock and load on the ground so you're ready as soon as you reach the platform
    3. CHoist it up already loaded, stock-first, with a rope tied to the stirrup
    4. DCock on the ground, hoist it unloaded, then load up top
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    DCock on the ground, hoist it unloaded, then load up top

    Cocking takes your foot in the stirrup and a lot of force, which is far safer on solid ground than on a small platform. The bolt stays off until you're settled, so nothing loaded is swinging on a rope. Hoisting stock-first keeps the limbs and string away from branches. Take it down the same way in reverse.

37. 37. While climbing into a stand, how many points of contact should you keep with the ladder or steps?

    1. AThree, so only one limb moves at a time
    2. BTwo: one hand and one foot
    3. COne, as long as your harness is attached
    4. DFour, meaning you never move a hand while climbing
    Show the answer

    AThree, so only one limb moves at a time

    Three points of contact means only one hand or foot moves at a time. If a step shifts or a rung is icy, the other three hold you. Keep your hands free for climbing, which is why the bow or crossbow goes up on a rope afterward rather than on your back.

38. 38. Your ladder stand has been strapped to the same tree since last fall. What should you do before you climb it this season?

    1. ANothing, since stands are built to stay out all year
    2. BInspect every strap and fitting, replacing anything doubtful
    3. CClimb it once without your harness to test it
    4. DTighten the straps a notch and go
    Show the answer

    BInspect every strap and fitting, replacing anything doubtful

    A winter of sun, frost and squirrels can ruin a strap that looked fine in November, and trees grow into or around fixings. Check every strap, chain, bolt and weld before you trust your weight to it. Follow the maker's instructions, and replace straps rather than guessing. Test it close to the ground with your harness on.

39. 39. You plan to bowhunt from a stand in a Class II Protected Natural Area. What does New Brunswick say about stands there?

    1. AAny stand is fine there, as long as it's removed when the season closes
    2. BStands may be built from trees cut on site
    3. CUse a portable stand and take it out nightly
    4. DStands aren't allowed at all, so you must hunt from a ground blind
    Show the answer

    CUse a portable stand and take it out nightly

    Class II PNAs exist to protect wild spaces, so the province asks hunters to leave no mark. Bring a portable stand or blind, take it out each night, and don't build anything or cut trees. Small bushes and leaves from right around you can dress a ground blind. Whatever you carry in comes out with you.

    Source: Government of New Brunswick, Hunt & Trap Regulations Summary 2026-2027: Tree stands are not permitted to be built in PNAs. Checked 2026-09-22.

40. 40. You have signed up for New Brunswick's classroom Bowhunter Education course. What does the province say the testing includes?

    1. AA written exam only, marked out of 50
    2. BA written exam and a shooting test
    3. CA shooting test only, at 30 metres
    4. DAn oral exam with the course instructor
    Show the answer

    BA written exam and a shooting test

    The course runs at least 8 hours, including testing. The province says testing includes a written exam and a shooting test. That is why students need their own equipment and some shooting experience.

    Source: Government of New Brunswick, Bow Hunting Course: Testing includes a written exam and a shooting test. Checked 2026-09-30.

41. 41. An experienced archer, age 25, would rather skip the classroom course and go straight to testing. What option does New Brunswick offer?

    1. AAn online course with an exam sent in by mail
    2. BA one-day field day with no written test
    3. CA signed statement from an archery shop owner
    4. DThe Bowhunter Challenge, open to people 18 and older
    Show the answer

    DThe Bowhunter Challenge, open to people 18 and older

    The Bowhunter Challenge lets people 18 and older sit the test without taking the course. You register online or through a Natural Resources office and are given a test date and place. The province strongly encourages reviewing the student manual and the current Hunt and Trap book before testing.

    Source: Government of New Brunswick, Bow Hunting Course: Participants must be 18 years of age and older. Checked 2026-09-30.

42. 42. Her mother is taking the bow course, and a 10-year-old from Sussex wants to come along as a student. Could she enrol?

    1. ANot yet, since students must be 11 by the start date and bring their own gear
    2. BYes, since any child may enrol when a parent is in the class
    3. CNo, since students must be 16 and hold a firearms licence
    4. DYes, if she passes a shooting test before the course begins
    Show the answer

    ANot yet, since students must be 11 by the start date and bring their own gear

    New Brunswick's bow course is open to students who are at least 11 years old on the day the course starts. They must also have their own equipment and some shooting experience. A 10-year-old will have to wait for a later course.

    Source: Government of New Brunswick, Bow Hunting Course: Must be at least 11 years of age as of the course start date. Checked 2026-09-30.

43. 43. Who actually teaches the Bowhunter Education course in New Brunswick?

    1. ARCMP firearms officers, as part of the federal program
    2. BPrivate archery shops licensed by the province
    3. CThe New Brunswick Bow Hunter Education Association, on behalf of the department
    4. DConservation officers, during their off-season
    Show the answer

    CThe New Brunswick Bow Hunter Education Association, on behalf of the department

    The Department of Natural Resources runs the program, but the course is taught by the New Brunswick Bow Hunter Education Association. Courses are usually held on a Saturday or Sunday in spring and fall. Your closest DNR district office has schedules and registration details.

    Source: Government of New Brunswick, Bow Hunting Course: The New Brunswick Bow Hunter Education Association (NBBEA) teaches the course on behalf of this department. Checked 2026-09-30.

44. 44. A New Brunswick hunter born in 1975 has an old bow hunting licence but never took a bow course. How can he show that he qualifies?

    1. ASign an affidavit at a vendor, or have the previous licence noted on his Outdoor Card
    2. BPass a shooting test at a Natural Resources office
    3. CShow his firearms licence, which also covers bows
    4. DNothing, since hunters his age are exempt from all training
    Show the answer

    ASign an affidavit at a vendor, or have the previous licence noted on his Outdoor Card

    Bow hunters born before 1981 who have hunted with a bow before can prove it instead of taking the course. The province lets them sign an affidavit at any vendor or have the previous licence recorded on the Outdoor Card. First-time bow hunters of any age still need the course.

    Source: Government of New Brunswick, Bow Hunting Course: If you were born before 1981 and have proof of a previous bow hunting licence you can sign an affidavit at any vendor or click the box that says client has shown a previous hunting licence on your Outdoor Card. Checked 2026-09-30.

45. 45. Is it legal to shoot fish with a bow or a crossbow in a New Brunswick river or lake?

    1. AIt is allowed with a fishing licence and a barbless point
    2. BIt is allowed at night if you use a light
    3. CUsing a bow or crossbow to kill fish in a resort of wildlife is unlawful
    4. DIt is allowed for any species in tidal water
    Show the answer

    CUsing a bow or crossbow to kill fish in a resort of wildlife is unlawful

    The summary says it is unlawful to use a bow and arrow, or a crossbow, to kill fish in a resort of wildlife. That rule follows the Maritime Provinces Fishery Regulations. A resort of wildlife is any land or water, including roads, that wildlife use.

    Source: New Brunswick Hunt and Trap Regulations Summary 2026-2027, Hunting, Firearms: It is unlawful to use a bow and arrow, or crossbow, for the purpose of killing fish in a resort of wildlife, per regulatory requirements described by the Maritime Provinces Fishery Regulations. Checked 2026-09-30.

46. 46. Heading home on your ATV, you leave your crossbow cocked with a bolt on the rail to save time later. What does New Brunswick's crossbow guide say?

    1. AIt is allowed as long as the safety is on
    2. BIt is allowed off the road on private land
    3. CIt is allowed if the bolt has a field tip
    4. DIt is illegal to carry a cocked and loaded crossbow on any vehicle, including an ATV
    Show the answer

    DIt is illegal to carry a cocked and loaded crossbow on any vehicle, including an ATV

    New Brunswick treats a crossbow that is cocked and charged with a bolt as a loaded firearm. The crossbow guide says it is illegal to carry one cocked and loaded on any vehicle, including ATVs and snowmobiles. Unload it before you climb aboard.

    Source: Government of New Brunswick, Crossbow Hunting in New Brunswick: It is illegal to carry a cocked and loaded crossbow upon any vehicle including all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles. Checked 2026-09-30.

47. 47. Sighting in a new crossbow, you plan to shoot field points all summer and screw on broadheads the morning of opening day. What does the provincial guide suggest instead?

    1. ASight in with broadheads only, since field tips fly differently
    2. BStart with weight-matched field tips, then switch to broadheads of the same weight for final sighting-in
    3. CSight in with field tips only, since broadheads fly the same
    4. DUse the heaviest bolts you can find for the final sighting-in
    Show the answer

    BStart with weight-matched field tips, then switch to broadheads of the same weight for final sighting-in

    Field tips are easy on targets while you get the crossbow on target. Broadheads can fly a little differently, so the guide says to finish with broadheads of the same weight. That way your sight setting matches what you will actually shoot at game.

    Source: Government of New Brunswick, Crossbow Hunting in New Brunswick: Once the crossbow is on target switch to broadheads of the same weight for final sighting-in purposes. Checked 2026-09-30.

48. 48. Your crossbow scope dial is marked to move bolt hits 1/2 inch per click at 20 yards. Your group is 1 inch to the left at that distance. How many clicks do you need?

    1. A1 click
    2. B4 clicks
    3. C8 clicks
    4. D2 clicks
    Show the answer

    D2 clicks

    Each click moves the hits 1/2 inch at 20 yards. To move them 1 inch you need two clicks. Turn the windage dial in the direction marked on the scope.

    Source: Government of New Brunswick, Crossbow Hunting in New Brunswick: For example, if the scope dial indicates it adjusts arrow hits 1/2 inch at 20 yards then 2 clicks will be needed to move your arrows 1 inch on the target at this distance. Checked 2026-09-30.

49. 49. You are about to sight in a brand new crossbow for the first time. Which setup fits the provincial guide's advice?

    1. AA shooting rest, calm air, and a safe place such as an approved range
    2. BShooting offhand in a stiff breeze to match hunting conditions
    3. CAny open field, as long as it is Crown land
    4. DThe woods you will hunt, a week before the season
    Show the answer

    AA shooting rest, calm air, and a safe place such as an approved range

    A shooting rest and windless conditions take your own wobble and the wind out of the result. The guide suggests an approved range, or your own property with an adequate backstop. Once you know where the crossbow hits, you can practise from hunting positions.

    Source: Government of New Brunswick, Crossbow Hunting in New Brunswick: Use a shooting rest to ensure greater accuracy and sight-in under windless conditions. Checked 2026-09-30.

50. 50. You want to bowhunt deer on a neighbour's farm this fall. When does New Brunswick's crossbow guide say to ask for permission?

    1. AThe morning you plan to hunt, so the plan is fresh
    2. BOnly after you have a deer down on the property
    3. CWell before the season, and remember to thank the landowner
    4. DThere is no need to ask if the land is not posted
    Show the answer

    CWell before the season, and remember to thank the landowner

    The guide lists asking permission as part of hunting ethics. Do it well before the season, and thank the landowner afterward. Asking early also leaves time to learn where you may hunt and to scout the ground.

    Source: Government of New Brunswick, Crossbow Hunting in New Brunswick: Do this well before the season and remember to thank the landowner. Checked 2026-09-30.

51. 51. Holding a crossbow bolt next to a regular arrow, what difference does New Brunswick's crossbow guide point out at the nock end?

    1. ABolts have no nock at all, only a flat shaft end
    2. BBolts use the same notched nock, but made of metal
    3. CBolts have a nock at both ends of the shaft
    4. DBolts usually have a flat-capped or half-moon nock instead of a notched one
    Show the answer

    DBolts usually have a flat-capped or half-moon nock instead of a notched one

    Crossbow bolts are shorter than arrows and usually end in a flat-capped or half-moon nock. A regular arrow uses a notched nock that clips onto the string. Check your owner's manual for the right bolt for your crossbow.

    Source: Government of New Brunswick, Crossbow Hunting in New Brunswick: Crossbow arrows, or bolts, differ from conventional arrows in that they are shorter and usually feature a flat-capped or half-moon nock rather than a notched nock as used by conventional arrows. Checked 2026-09-30.

52. 52. You are after snowshoe hare with your bow in New Brunswick. What does the Hunt and Trap summary say about arrow tips?

    1. AOnly broadheads at least 20 mm wide may be used on any game
    2. BArrows or bolts tipped with small game field points may be used for small game
    3. COnly blunt rubber tips may be used on hare
    4. DField points are allowed only on Crown land
    Show the answer

    BArrows or bolts tipped with small game field points may be used for small game

    Broadheads at least 20 mm wide are required for deer, moose and bear. For small game, the summary allows arrows or bolts with small game field points. Barbed, poisoned or exploding heads are banned for all hunting.

    Source: New Brunswick Hunt and Trap Regulations Summary 2026-2027, Hunting, Firearms: Arrows or bolts tipped with small game field points may be used while hunting small game. Checked 2026-09-30.

53. 53. New Brunswick's deer season opens with a stretch reserved for bows and crossbows. According to the 2026-2027 summary, when is the archery-only season?

    1. ASeptember 1 to 21, 2026
    2. BOctober 26 to November 8, 2026
    3. COctober 5 to 25, 2026
    4. DNovember 23 to 29, 2026
    Show the answer

    COctober 5 to 25, 2026

    The deer archery season opens on October 5, 2026, and the first three weeks, October 5 to 25, are for archery only. Firearm hunters join on October 26. Zones 4, 5 and 9 stay closed to deer hunting.

    Source: New Brunswick Hunt and Trap Regulations Summary 2026-2027, Hunting licence and season information, Deer and Game Bird: The “archery only” season is October 5 – 25, 2026 Checked 2026-09-30.

54. 54. Your broadheads ride loose in a pocket of your pack, and you swap them by hand in the blind. What does New Brunswick's crossbow guide recommend instead?

    1. AKeep broadheads covered in a quiver and use a broadhead wrench to change them
    2. BKeep broadheads in a sealed bag and change them with pliers
    3. CTape each broadhead's blades and change them bare-handed
    4. DCarry broadheads loose but wear leather work gloves
    Show the answer

    AKeep broadheads covered in a quiver and use a broadhead wrench to change them

    Broadheads are razor sharp and cause many bowhunting cuts. The guide says to keep them covered in a quiver and to use a broadhead wrench when changing them. Careful handling prevents the kind of wound that needs first aid far from help.

    Source: Government of New Brunswick, Crossbow Hunting in New Brunswick: Keep broadheads covered in a quiver and use a broadhead wrench to change them. Checked 2026-09-30.

55. 55. Why does the provincial crossbow guide stress keeping your foot firmly in the stirrup while you cock?

    1. AIf your foot slips out, the string will always come off-centre
    2. BYour foot is what holds the safety on while you cock
    3. CIf your foot slips out, the crossbow can be pulled upward with force and hurt you
    4. DIt keeps mud and grit off the rail and trigger
    Show the answer

    CIf your foot slips out, the crossbow can be pulled upward with force and hurt you

    Cocking a crossbow takes a lot of force. If your foot slips out of the stirrup, that force can pull the crossbow up toward your face and body. A firm foot and a cocking aid lower the risk.

    Source: Government of New Brunswick, Crossbow Hunting in New Brunswick: If it slips out, the crossbow will be pulled upwards with force possibly injuring the shooter. Checked 2026-09-30.

56. 56. A new crossbow shooter grips the fore-end with her thumb resting up beside the rail. What injury is the provincial guide warning about?

    1. AThe scope can strike her eye under recoil
    2. BThe limbs can pinch her wrist on release
    3. CThe bolt can slice her palm as it leaves the rail
    4. DThe string can strike a thumb or finger raised above the deck and string level
    Show the answer

    DThe string can strike a thumb or finger raised above the deck and string level

    When a crossbow fires, the string snaps forward along the rail. The guide says to keep your hands and fingers below the deck and string level when shooting. A thumb or finger in the string's path can be badly hurt.

    Source: Government of New Brunswick, Crossbow Hunting in New Brunswick: Make sure your hands and fingers are below the deck and string level when shooting your crossbow! Checked 2026-09-30.

57. 57. Shooting from a pop-up blind, you notice one crossbow limb would brush the window frame. Why does the guide say to hold that shot?

    1. AThe noise would spook every deer within range
    2. BA limb striking an obstacle can cause kickback that injures the shooter
    3. CThe bolt would always fly high and miss
    4. DThe string would lose its centre position for good
    Show the answer

    BA limb striking an obstacle can cause kickback that injures the shooter

    Crossbow limbs move forward with a lot of force when the bolt is released. If they strike a branch or window frame, the crossbow can kick back into the shooter. Always check that the limbs are clear before you fire.

    Source: Government of New Brunswick, Crossbow Hunting in New Brunswick: If they strike an object the impact can result in significant “kickback” which will injure the shooter. Checked 2026-09-30.

58. 58. You and a friend plan to put up a ladder stand before bow season. How many people does the Atlantic hunter education manual say it takes to set one up safely?

    1. AOne person with a ratchet strap
    2. BTwo people, one on each side
    3. CAt least three people
    4. DAt least five people
    Show the answer

    CAt least three people

    Ladder stands are easier and safer to climb than other portable stands, but they are bulky. The manual says they need at least three people to set up safely. Wear your fall arrest system during setup too.

    Source: Atlantic Canada Hunter Education (Part B) Student Manual, 2023 Edition (Province of New Brunswick), Lesson 6, Hunting from tree stands: Ladder stands can be bulky and require at least three persons to safely set up. Checked 2026-09-30.

59. 59. You climb to your stand clipped to a life line with a Prusik knot. How should you move the knot as you go up?

    1. AClose your hand around the main rope above or below the knot and slide it, without gripping the knot itself
    2. BGrip the knot tightly and push it up the rope ahead of you
    3. CUntie the knot at each step and tie it again higher up
    4. DLeave the knot at the bottom and clip in once you reach the top
    Show the answer

    AClose your hand around the main rope above or below the knot and slide it, without gripping the knot itself

    The Prusik knot is made to bind on the main rope if you fall. Gripping the knot while you move it can stop it from binding when it matters. The manual says to move it by closing your hand around the main rope just above or below the knot.

    Source: Atlantic Canada Hunter Education (Part B) Student Manual, 2023 Edition (Province of New Brunswick), Lesson 6, Tree stand life lines: Do not grip the Prusik knot when sliding it up or down the main rope or it will not bind properly in the event of a fall. Checked 2026-09-30.

60. 60. Last season your full body harness caught you in a fall from your stand, and it still looks fine. What does the manual say to do with it?

    1. AKeep using it as long as the straps show no cuts
    2. BWash it and rest it for one season before using it again
    3. CUse it only for climbing practice from now on
    4. DReplace it, since a harness that has stopped a fall should be replaced
    Show the answer

    DReplace it, since a harness that has stopped a fall should be replaced

    A harness that has stopped a fall has done its job and may be weakened in ways you cannot see. The manual says to replace it, and also to replace any harness past the maker's expiry date. Inspect your stand, harness and climbing aids before every use.

    Source: Atlantic Canada Hunter Education (Part B) Student Manual, 2023 Edition (Province of New Brunswick), Lesson 6, Tree stand safety: Once a safety harness has been used to stop a fall or is past its manufacturer’s expiry date it should be replaced. Checked 2026-09-30.