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Hunter Safety

Who Must Take The Course?

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980, is required to complete an Illinois hunter safety education course before purchasing a hunting license.

Many states are now requiring adult hunters to furnish evidence of having completed a Hunter Education Course prior to issuance of a non-resident license. An Illinois Hunter Safety Education certificate is accepted by all other states.

How To Take The Course

Instructor-led Classes

The traditional, and preferred, method of Illinois hunter safety education is completed with an Illinois Volunteer Safety Instructor.  The traditional course is at minimum ten (10) hours of in person instruction and demonstrations.  Students are required to pass a written exam to complete the course.  The traditional Illinois Hunter Safety Course is free; students will only encounter a cost if there is extra activity provided that the student may choose to participate in.

The curriculum and materials used in the Illinois Hunter Safety course are designed for students at a sixth-grade reading level.  During a traditional in-person course students can expect to participate in the following and more:

  • Discussion of hunter responsibility and ethics
  • Firearm Handling - 10 commandments of Firearm Safety
  • Firearm/Ammunition orientation
  • Zones of Fire
  • Tree Stand Safety and Fall Arrest Systems
  • Primitive Hunting including archery and muzzleloading
  • Conservation Police Officer to discuss IL state laws and regulations
  • 50 question exam - 80% passing score

Individuals may participate in any scheduled class throughout Illinois. Persons passing the course by completing the minimum ten (10) hours of instruction, passing the written exam, and displaying the necessary maturity to hunt independently will receive an Illinois Hunt Safety Certificate.  To find a traditional in-person course check our website for Class Schedules.

Online Certification/ Field Day course

If you are eighteen (18) years old, or older, you may complete the online course to receive a Hunter Education Safety certification.  This option is provided by authorized outside providers that do charge for the online course and certification.

Students seventeen (17) years old and younger may also complete the online course.  Again, this option is provided by outside companies and there is a fee charged for the service.  The difference for the student seventeen (17) and younger is that the student must also attend an in-person Field Day which includes hands-on participation and a final in-person exam.  Upon completion of the online course and corresponding Field Day the student that is seventeen (17) years old and younger will receive a Hunter Education Safety certification.

NOTE: Prior to completing and paying for a Field Day Voucher, check the class listings for Field Day availability.  You will not be admitted to a Field Day without the Field Day voucher.

Illinois Online Hunt Safety Authorized Providers:

www.hunter-ed.com ($28.95) or www.huntercourse.com ($29.00) or  or www.ilearntohunt.com/illinois ($49.95)

Find out more about online self-study

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