What is one key factor in ensuring proper game identification?

Learning the characteristics of species is crucial for ensuring proper game identification because it allows hunters to distinguish between different animals accurately. Understanding specific traits, such as color patterns, body size, antler configuration, and habitat preferences, helps hunters determine which species they are observing in the field. This knowledge not only aids in compliance with hunting regulations but also promotes ethical hunting practices by ensuring that hunters only pursue the species they are licensed to hunt. By being able to identify animals correctly, hunters can avoid accidental misidentifications, which can have serious consequences for wildlife conservation and legal hunting practices.