Safety is an important aspect of hunting. In fact, safety courses are required to hunt in Illinois. They include 10 hours of instruction and cover essentials that help keep hunters safe and informed.
As of January 1, 1996, everyone born in or after 1980 must take the course before they can obtain a hunting license, though the course is recommended for all ages. A Hunter Education Certificate of Competency will be granted upon completion and options include an in-person, instructor-led course or an online self-study course at sites like HUNTERcourse.com or Hunter-ed.com.
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The instructor-led course lasts a weekend or a few weeknights and includes demonstrations and a written exam to pass the course. The online course allows students to complete one section at a time, but they must attend a field day and final exam in person.
The educational material in the course covers hunter responsibility and ethics, treestand safety, firearms and ammunition, field safety, first aid, bow hunting, muzzleloading, wildlife conservation and identification, and state regulations. In-person classes are free and online courses are usually around $25.
The courses are lead by certified volunteer instructors who pass or fail students based not only on attendance, but the ability to demonstrate and recognize safe procedures, mental and physical astuteness, attitude, and maturity level.
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After passing the course, a
hunter safety field day with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will take place. Hunters will often have to schedule in advance at their nearest field day location, which can be found on the IDNR website. The day will last up to seven hours and include hands-on activities, exercises, discussions and demonstrations and a multiple-choice final exam. Military veterans are exempt from the otherwise mandatory field day.
Tests and exams require an 80 percent or better to pass and for students who want to spend more time reviewing material or experienced hunters who want a refresher or to find out about yearly changes, coursework can be reviewed online.
Online courses allow registered students to pass courses at their own pace, affording plenty of time for study and review before tests are taken.
This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.
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