Studying for the PAL/CFSC Practical Exam in Ontario

When I did my test a hundred years ago, the instructor told me to pretend the clock was a duck I was going to shoot. I thought it was a trick question. It was in the downrange/danger zone so I did my stance and mount, but I erred on caution and specifically did not take my safety off. He said this (safety on) was wrong as I would be unable to shoot that duck. I said Im still in a classroom and its still a clock. I got marked wrong, but I still passed.

I see in one of your posts you mention not needing to demonstrate carries or fence crossing. I DID have to on my course/test.

You should pick everything up on the course. Know different bullets maybe. I dont think soft point hollow point was in my course.. but being able to identify calibers (by reading the headstamp on the barrel and brass) definitely was.

Everything theyre going to ask you in the practical they will have went over in the classroom a bunch of times. With all the different guns. The course is designed to teach you. The instructor wants to give you all the information (during the class portion). If you have questions ask.

You will be ok.

I guess, since there are instructors on the site, if youre worrying about the TEST, a more important question would be on automatic fails. Ie you can have small mistakes and still pass. But if you point a firearm into a safe zone or at the tester on the test youre done. Your instructor should talk about this on the course. But maybe an instructor here can go over the big ones? (As im not familiar with the scoreing/grading system i could be making that up, but in my mind flagging the tester would be a fail)

Only one out of 20? Failed my course. And he blatently didnt put any effort into it. Late, messing around, talking, not paying attention etc.

Again. You will be ok.
 
BK85 said:
You'll do you exam on a firearm that you practiced with during the course. Just don't ever put your finger on the trigger and keep the weapon pointed "downrange". You'll need to make sure it's safe when you pick it up, and make it safe when you put it back down.
Click to expand...
Sounds simple enough. Do you know/remember if finding and activating the safety is something that is worth marks on the test, or just a good thing to know/do? I see the CFSC PROVE training videos all over the internet, even with actual instructors, and none of them ever point out the safety and/or turn it on, just the normal ACTS and PROVE steps.
 
Brad243 said:
When I did my test a hundred years ago, the instructor told me to pretend the clock was a duck I was going to shoot. I thought it was a trick question. It was in the downrange/danger zone so I did my stance and mount, but I erred on caution and specifically did not take my safety off. He said this (safety on) was wrong as I would be unable to shoot that duck. I said Im still in a classroom and its still a clock. I got marked wrong, but I still passed.

I see in one of your posts you mention not needing to demonstrate carries or fence crossing. I DID have to on my course/test.

You should pick everything up on the course. Know different bullets maybe. I dont think soft point hollow point was in my course.. but being able to identify calibers (by reading the headstamp on the barrel and brass) definitely was.

Everything theyre going to ask you in the practical they will have went over in the classroom a bunch of times. With all the different guns. The course is designed to teach you. The instructor wants to give you all the information (during the class portion). If you have questions ask.

You will be ok.

I guess, since there are instructors on the site, if youre worrying about the TEST, a more important question would be on automatic fails. Ie you can have small mistakes and still pass. But if you point a firearm into a safe zone or at the tester on the test youre done. Your instructor should talk about this on the course. But maybe an instructor here can go over the big ones? (As im not familiar with the scoreing/grading system i could be making that up, but in my mind flagging the tester would be a fail)

Only one out of 20? Failed my course. And he blatently didnt put any effort into it. Late, messing around, talking, not paying attention etc.

Again. You will be ok.
Click to expand...
It's interesting you had to physically demonstrate that! One of the first forums that led me to this website was an instructor freaking out that this is something you do not need to demonstrate. Just ACTS and PROVE, identifying the correct ammo when asked, and loading/unloading the ammo when asked. Good to know though!!

Yeah if 1 of 20 failed that sounds like they're issue, not an instructor/readiness issue. I have a binder of 18 pages of notes, I've read the handbook, done dozens of practice tests, and watched countless practical videos on safe handling and using actions, so if I fail this thing I might be an idiot lmao
 
You know what. Now that you say that and I've slept on it... I did my hunting and firearms courses together almost 30 years ago . Ive likely lumped the two together. That was the first year of the hunter apprentice stuff so I was.. 12 or 14? So my memory of the test may be less than reliable.

My experience will be very different than a modern one. I barely had the internet. I had read hunting mags and I knew the different types and actions. I was in no way as prepared as you are. You will be fine.
 
You need to know the safety mechanism characteristics of the firearms being used for instruction in the course.
Until you get there, you will not know exactly what training guns the instructor will have available. There will be a variety with different action types. During the course you will have the opportunity to handle and manipulate all of them. There could be a gun with rebounding hammer or half ####, a tang safety, a cross bolt safety, etc. When doing the practical exam, make a point of applying the safety in such a manner that the instructor can see that you are doing it.
When I was instructing, it was not unusual for a candidate to talk himself through the ACTS and PROVE. Perform ACTS and PROVE every time you pick up a gun. The instructor might say "Pick up the break action shotgun and load it with one round". This will be a Cooey single or some such. Locate the gun, pick it up, break it open if not already open, look through the bore. Identify the correct dummy cartridge, load and close. Confirm that the hammer is in the safe position. When told to unload, break it open, remove the dummy, inspect the bore, put the gun back on the table. If the dummy is ejected, let it go, recover it after the gun has been replaced on the table.
If you don't know, ask.
In general, observe the designated safe direction - don't point a firearm elsewhere. DO NOT point the firearm at the instructor! Keep your finger off the trigger, unless it is necessary to touch the trigger, as in lowering a hammer.
 
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Brad243 said:
You know what. Now that you say that and I've slept on it... I did my hunting and firearms courses together almost 30 years ago . Ive likely lumped the two together. That was the first year of the hunter apprentice stuff so I was.. 12 or 14? So my memory of the test may be less than reliable.

My experience will be very different than a modern one. I barely had the internet. I had read hunting mags and I knew the different types and actions. I was in no way as prepared as you are. You will be fine.
Click to expand...
Back then (when I also did mine) the exams were conducted at the MNR office by a CO. They were much different then, than they are now. They included hunting situations. I remember there was 2 of us being tested together, and the CO asked us, if a rabbit jumped up in front of us right now, and ran between us and behind us, would you take the shot and how?
 
ServusDeiVivi said:
Sounds simple enough. Do you know/remember if finding and activating the safety is something that is worth marks on the test, or just a good thing to know/do? I see the CFSC PROVE training videos all over the internet, even with actual instructors, and none of them ever point out the safety and/or turn it on, just the normal ACTS and PROVE steps.
Click to expand...
The firearm needs to be safe when you manipulate it until you are ready to shoot, so yes, you will need to activate/deactivate the safety. But don't worry, like I said, you will be playing around with those firearms all day before the test, and the instructors will show you in detail how they all operate.
 
DAgunlvr said:
Back then (when I also did mine) the exams were conducted at the MNR office by a CO. They were much different then, than they are now. They included hunting situations. I remember there was 2 of us being tested together, and the CO asked us, if a rabbit jumped up in front of us right now, and ran between us and behind us, would you take the shot and how?
Click to expand...
Probably because you took the hunter safety course at the same time to get your outdoors card
 
tiriaq said:
You need to know the safety mechanism characteristics of the firearms being used for instruction in the course.
Until you get there, you will not know exactly what training guns the instructor will have available. There will be a variety with different action types. During the course you will have the opportunity to handle and manipulate all of them. There could be a gun with rebounding hammer or half ####, a tang safety, a cross bolt safety, etc. When doing the practical exam, make a point of applying the safety in such a manner that the instructor can see that you are doing it.
When I was instructing, it was not unusual for a candidate to talk himself through the ACTS and PROVE. Perform ACTS and PROVE every time you pick up a gun. The instructor might say "Pick up the break action shotgun and load it with one round". This will be a Cooey single or some such. Locate the gun, pick it up, break it open if not already open, look through the bore. Identify the correct dummy cartridge, load and close. Confirm that the hammer is in the safe position. When told to unload, break it open, remove the dummy, inspect the bore, put the gun back on the table. If the dummy is ejected, let it go, recover it after the gun has been replaced on the table.
If you don't know, ask.
In general, observe the designated safe direction - don't point a firearm elsewhere. DO NOT point the firearm at the instructor! Keep your finger off the trigger, unless it is necessary to touch the trigger, as in lowering a hammer.
Click to expand...
I appreciate your detailed reply, thank you!
 
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