Course
Full Hunting Course
- 32 lessons
- 8.5 hours duration
- Pro tips
- Additional resources
- Optional quizs
- Certificates
Presented by: The Huntsman


Module description
— What to expect
The Full Hunting course is the ultimate guide to becoming a skilled and responsible hunter in Australia, combining foundational knowledge with practical techniques and field skills.
Covering everything from the Foundations, Techniques, and Spoils modules, this course provides a complete learning experience. You’ll gain essential knowledge about Australian hunting culture, laws, and safety, as well as develop practical skills in tracking, ethical shot placement, butchering, meat preparation, and making the most of your harvest.
This comprehensive course ensures you not only understand the why of hunting but also master the how, equipping you with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the field.
*While the Full Hunting Course provides a general overview of hunting in Australia, applicable to all hunting styles, it specially addresses key areas concerning hunting with a rifle.
Lesson plan & resources
Hunting Foundations Module
Introduction to Hunting in Australia
- The different kinds of hunters
- Where people hunt
- What do people hun
Licenses, permits, seasons and ballots
- Understanding local hunting regulations and obtaining necessary permits
- Firearm Licence
- Special licensees & permits
- Season dates, bag limits, and restricted areas
- Key firearm and hunting laws
- Special Hunting Licences & Permits in Australia
- Seasons and Ballots
- How to get your Victorian Firearms licence
- How to get your Queensland Firearms licence
- How to get your New South Wales Firearms licence
- How to get your South Australia Firearms licence
- How to get your Tasmanian Firearms licence
- How to get your Western Australia Firearms licence
- How to get your Northern Territory Firearms licence
Hunting Gear and Equipment
- Essential gear
- Safety gear
- Optics
- Clothing
- Meat handling equipment
- Firearm storage/transport
- Ammo storage/transport
- Hunting gear checklist
- Common rifle calibers in Australia
- Instructions on how to clean your barrel
- Australian hunting terminology & slang guide
Firearm
- The different types and categories of firearms
- The different calibres of firearms
- The most common calibres
- Common rifle calibers in Australia
Rifle overview
- The different parts of a rifle and how they work.
How a firearm operates
- Practical demonstration of how to operate a firearm (rifle).
Firearm maintenance
- How to clean your rifle after a hunt.
- How to perform a deep clean on a rifle.
- What is a ‘dirty barrel’ and how it can be a good thing.
- How to unblock a clogged barrel.
- Instructions on how to clean your barrel
Firearm storage
- Local firearm storage laws and regulations.
- Firearm transport laws and regulations.
- Other laws and regulations concerning firearm and ammunition storage.
Choosing your first firearm
- A guide to choosing your first firearm.
Australian hunting terminology & slang
- Firearm safety
- Hunter orange
- Personal locator beacon
- Communication
- First aid
- Maps
- Australian hunting terminology & slang guide
Safety
- Firearm safety
- Hunter orange
- Personal locator beacon
- Communication
- First aid
- Maps
Hunting Techniques Module
The optimal times to hunt
- When to hunt for meat
- When to hunt for hides
- When to hunt for trophies
- Times of the day
- Hunting in the Northern Territory
- Australian deer fact sheet
Finding & scouting hunting locations
- Find probable locations with mapping tools
- Planning a scouting mission
- Scouting trip tips
Hunting techniques and strategies
- Spot-and-Stalk Hunting
- Long-Distance Shooting
- Calling Techniques for Attracting Game
- Hound Hunting
- Hunting with a Pointer
- Stand Hunting and Blind Hunting
Stalking
- Pacing
- Footwork
- Scanning & Smelling
- Avoiding Detection
- Checking for sign
- Decision Making
The wind, thermals & your scent
- The importance of the wind
- Tips for hunting with the wind
- What to do if the wind changes
- Thermals and how they work
- Understanding the Behavior of Wind in Different Terrain Types
- Wind and Animal Behavior: How Animals Use the Wind to Their Advantage
Signs of animals
- Game trails
- Prints/Tracks
- Skat
- Browsing
- Smells
- Stag sign
- Wallows
- Rubs/Trashing
- Sounds
- Australian hoofed species print size comparison (graphic)
- Australian hoofed species print size comparison (table)
- Australian deer species print size comparison (graphic)
- Hoofed species scar comparison (graphic)
The encounter
- Identification
- Evaluation
- Set up
- Distance
- Hidden targets
- Decisions
Shooting positions and stabilisation
- How to make the choice
- Standing stabilisation options
- Prone stabilisation options
- Knee stabilisation options
Shot placement
- Maximizing Efficiency and Ethical Hunting
- Understanding Animal Anatomy
- Best Shot Placement for Different Outcomes
- Considerations for Shot Placement
After the shot: animal tracking & recovery
- Actions immediately after the shot
- Tracking a hit animal
- Blood tracking
Hunting Spoils Module
Meat handling, transport & storage
- Packing Meat Out of a Hunting Location
- Temperature Management
- Skin On vs. Skin Off
- Cooler/Esky Size Recommendations
- Transporting Meat in Cars
- Storing Meat at Home
- Vacuum Sealing vs. Freezer Bags
- Freezer Size Recommendations
Field Dressing
- Initial cuts
- Removing the internal organs
- Quartering the animal
- Packout options
Deer back-pack method
- Demonstration on how to transport (pack-out) a whole deer in the field using the “Deer Back-Pack” method.
Deer processing and cooking equipment
- Knives
- Minces
- Meat slices
- Storage
- Tenderizes
- Hooks
Deer breakdown & meat cuts
- Demonstration of the different cuts and options when butchering a deer.
Making venison jerky
- Practical demonstration of how to cook venison jerky
- Venison jerky recipe
Making venison schnitzel
- Practical demonstration of how to cook venison schnitzel
- Venison schnitzel recipe
Making goat biryani
- Practical demonstration of how to cook goat biryani
- Goat biryani recipe
Taxidermy Options
- Shoulder mounts
- Full body mounts
- European mounts
- Rugs
- Skull caps and antlers
Making a deer or goat rug
- Practical demonstration and step by step guide on how to make a deer or goat rug.
- How to make your own deer / goat rug
Making a European trophy skull mount
- Practical demonstration and step by step guide on how to make a European trophy mount
- How to make your own euro mount
What Students Say
Don't take our word. What do previous students think?

John S


Michael P
“This course helped me avoid years of trial and error. I now understand what to do in real hunting situations, and that’s priceless.”

Check out our other courses & modules

Hunting Foundations Module
- 11 video lessons
- 2.5 hours of content
- Resources
- Community questions
- Lesson notes
- Certificate

Hunting Techniques Module
- 11 video lessons
- 3 hours of content
- Resources
- Community questions
- Lesson notes
- Certificate

Hunting Spoils Module
- 10 video lessons
- 3 hours of content
- Resources
- Community questions
- Lesson notes
- Certificate

Wild Game Home Butchering
- 8 video lessons
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- Resources
- Community questions
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