Is it permissible for a hunter to hunt a beast while it is asleep, or must he awaken it before hunting it?

If the question is about the permissibility of hunting sleeping prey, then the answer is that it is permissible. However, if the question is about the permissibility of hunting it with a rifle when one is capable of slaughtering it, then the answer is that it is not valid according to the four schools of thought. If one reaches it alive but does not slaughter it until it dies, it is not eaten.