FAQ Dog Training

Question: What is the minimum size for Designated Dog Training Areas?

Answer: There is no minimum size for Designated Dog Training Areas; however, the maximum size is 50 acres.

Question: How do I acquire signs to post the boundaries of my Designated Dog Training Area, and how far apart should the signs be along the boundary?

Answer: The IDNR will provide signs when the Designated Dog Training Area Permit is issued and when needed, as the Permit is renewed from year to year. Signs should be posted on each of the boundaries of the Designated Dog Training Area, but there are no distance requirements for the intervals between signs.

Question: What is the fee for the Designated Dog Training Area Permit?

Answer: There is no fee for the Designated Dog Training Area Permit. In order to obtain a Designated Dog Training Area Permit, the Wildlife Code requires trainers to also have a Game and Game Bird Breeders Permit for which the fee is either $10 or $20.

Question: Is there a limit to the number of trainers that can be listed on a Designated Dog Training Area Permit?

Answer: As long as the name and complete address for each trainer is provided on the Designated Dog Training Area application form, there is no limit to the number of trainers that can be listed on a Permit.

Question: Will the index numbers from a tax statement suffice for the legal description on the Designated Dog Training Area application form?

Answer: No, index numbers do not provide the information necessary to develop a legal description for a Designated Dog Training Area Permit. If a legal description of the training area is not readily available, send a copy of the Plat Map of the township where the training area is located and highlight the acreage or clearly outline the boundary of the proposed training area.

Question: Can I have more than one Designated Dog Training Area?

Answer: Yes, as long as the Designated Dog Training Areas are not contiguous.

Question: Am I required to band captive-reared game birds shot on a Designated Dog Training Area?

Answer: Trainers must properly band all captive-reared game birds shot on a Designated Dog Training Area before the game birds are removed from the training area. If the trainer resides on the training area, the captive-reared game birds must be properly banded the same day they are taken. Bands are affixed to a leg of the game bird after the game bird has been shot. The band must remain on the leg of the game bird until it is prepared for consumption.

Question: How do I acquire bands for banding captive-reared game birds shot on my Designated Dog Training Area?

Answer: Only bands obtained from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources may be used. Bands are 10¢ each, and orders should be in increments of 100 or $10.00 worth.

Bands can be ordered by contacting the Department at the following address:

Illinois Dept. Of Natural Resources
Attn: Commercial License Sales
License Consignment/Permits
P. O. Box 19458
Springfield, Illinois 62794-9458

Ordering can also be accomplished by telephone with a Visa or MasterCard by calling:

Commercial License Sales @ (217) 785-3423

Question: When and how do I renew my Designated Dog Training Area Permit?

Answer: Designated Dog Training Area Permits expire on March 31st of each year. Instructions for renewing the Permit are listed on the bottom section of the Permit.

Question: Can I hire someone to train my dogs for me?

Answer: The dog training programs offered by this agency are for hunting dogs. We only provide dog training assistance for hunting and for hunting dog field trial purposes. We suggest that you consult a local dog obedience school - look in the telephone book yellow pages under "Pet Training". For reference books about dog training consult your local library or pet store.