Dictionary

abomasums: The fourth chamber in a deer's stomach.

AFC (Amateur Field Champion): An award given to retrievers who have won 15 points in a field trial, including first place in an Open or Limited Stake.

amateur stake: A competition for dogs over six months of age at a field trial, and handled by an amateur.

American Kennel Club (AKC): The foremost dog registry in the United States, which determines official breed standards.

antler: A bony growth on the head of a deer, elk or moose that falls off and re-grows every year.

armguard: A protective device worn on the arm holding a bow, to prevent bruising when the bow string hits the arm.

arquebus: The first rifle, which was developed in the 15^th century and was easier to load and more accurate than the crossbow.

arrow nock: A notch at the end of an arrow for the bow string.

assault rifle: Type of firearm designed for the military that can be automatic or semi-automatic.

automatic: Type of firearm that continues to shoot until either the bullets are all used or the shooter releases the trigger.

bachelor group: A herd of bucks, or male deer. Male deer herd separately from does and fawns in the spring and summer.

barrel: A tube on a gun that is usually made from metal. This is the part of the gun where the controlled explosion occurs, leading to the projection of the bullet or other projectile out of the gun at a high speed.

bedding area: A trampled area where deer sleep.

birdiness: Describes a dog's interest in birds and its willingness to retrieve birds.

bitch: A female canine.

blank: A gun cartridge that does not include a bullet.

blind: A structure that hides gun stations in the field. Also the practice of guiding a dog to a downed bird using voice, whistles and hand signals.

bolt action: A firearm that is operated by manually opening the bolt to load.

Boone and Crockett Club: A system of scoring rifle hunter's kills.

bovid: Any animal with hooves and permanent horns.

breech: An opening located behind the barrel. Some types of guns are loaded at the breech.

broadheads: Arrow tips designed for bowhunting.

buck: A male deer, also called a stag.

bullet: A solid piece of metal, usually lead, that is propelled from a gun towards a target.

caliber: The measurement of the inside diameter of a gun barrel that is used to describe the size of bullets a given gun requires.

call back: A list indicating which contestants are invited to continue participating in an event.

camouflage: Coloring allowing an animal or hunter to blend into the surroundings.

carbon dioxide: Also known as CO2; a commonly used paintball propellant.

carnivore: An animal that eats meat as its primary source of nourishment.

carrion: A dead animal's flesh.

cartridge: Contains a bullet, gunpowder and primer in a case that fits neatly into the firing chamber.

Cervidae: The family of animals that includes deer.

chamber: Also known as a firing chamber; part of a barrel or a cylinder that holds rounds before the rounds are fired.

choke collar: A leather or chain collar allowing a handler to control the tension on the dog's neck.

colt: A brand or type of pistol made famous by the Colt Manufacturing Company that usually has a six-chamber revolving cylinder.

cylinder: The round, moving part of a revolver that holds cartridges in chambers.

dam: A puppy's mother.

deadfall: Fallen branches and ground debris.

deer yard: Areas where deer gather during the winter, either due to shelter, warmth or food. Due to the limited space of a deer yard, deer tend to be tense and aggressive towards each other.

derringer: Generally a one or two shot pistol, although some older versions may have been five- or six-shot models.

doe: A female deer.

dominant floater: Large older bucks who travel through different groups of deer without losing their hierarchical ranking.

draw length: The distance between a bow's nocking point to the back of the bow when fully drawn.

draw weight: The force, in pounds, needed to draw a bow.

Ducks Unlimited: A hunting organization dedicating to the conservation and preservation of wetlands for waterfowl across North America.

e collar: A dog collar capable of administering a small electric shock from a distance. Used in training.

endothermic: Warm blooded animals that can maintain a constant body temperature in spite of external temperature.

estrus: The two- to four-day period when a doe is capable of breeding.

exothermic: Cold blooded animals whose body heat depends on surrounding temperatures.