Texas Hunter Education Certification Practice Exam

When field dressing game, what is important for safety and health?

1. Doing it as quickly as possible.

2. Using a dull knife to prevent accidents.

3. Wearing gloves to minimize the risk of disease.

4. Leaving the entrails in the field to attract more game.

The correct answer is: Wearing gloves to minimize the risk of disease.

Wearing gloves while field dressing game is important for both safety and health reasons. During the process, hunters can come into contact with bacteria, parasites, and other pathogens that may be present in the animal's internal organs. These can pose health risks, including the transmission of zoonotic diseases, which are infections that can be transferred from animals to humans. Gloves act as a barrier, reducing direct exposure and thereby minimizing the risk of contamination and infection. Choosing to field dress game quickly may be a consideration for maintaining meat quality, but it does not directly address safety and health. Using a dull knife could lead to slips and accidental injuries, which is the opposite of promoting safety. Leaving the entrails in the field to attract more game is not a safe or healthy practice, as it can also attract scavengers or cause sanitary issues in the area. In contrast, wearing gloves is a straightforward precaution that effectively protects the hunter's health.