Hunting in Illinois: 3 Things to Know Before Applying for a Hunting Permit for Adults

If you want to go hunting in Illinois, and are born after January 1, 1980, you must complete a hunter safety course before applying for a hunting permit in the state. If you don't live in Illinois, and are just visiting to hunt, you'll still need proof of having completed a safety course before a permit can be issued.

Here are three things to know about obtaining the Hunter Education Certificate of Competency, which is issued by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

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1. Minimum of 10 Hours
To receive an Illinois certificate of competency and a graduate patch, hunters will need to complete a minimum of 10 hours of instruction and take a final exam. During the classes, hunters learn about safety, state regulations and also hunter responsibility and ethics and wildlife conservation and identification. At the end of the course, a field exam is given and must be passed to obtain the certificate.

2. Two Ways to Take the Course
There are two ways to take the course in Idaho. The preferred method is instructor-led classes, which are conducted for a few hours per night during a number of weeks or via a full weekend class. The final class includes the final exam. To find out when classes are held, check the Illinois DNR website.

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The other option is the online self-study course. For this version, students complete and study course material via the Internet. If you choose to get your certificate this way, however, you will still need to participate in a field day at the end of the course, which includes hands-on participation and the final exam.

3. Illinois Veterans are Exempt From Field Day
Recently, the Illinois DNR announced that "honorably discharged Illinois veterans may receive a Hunter Safety Card by completing the online self-study portion of Hunter Safety requirements, without taking the field day portion of the course. To obtain a Hunter Safety Card, veterans must provide their online hunter safety voucher and military duty documentation."

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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