I would say that it looks very good. A model for other states to follow - that is for sure.

This will, no doubt, help get people interested in hunting. This is a basic mentoring program - you are allowed to go hunting for one year under the guidance of another individual. You can only earn your independence if you take a hunter safety course.

I believe that the right mentor could teach a new hunter far more about safety (through field experience) than they would ever retain from a hunter safety course. I also believe that someone motivated to hunt because of a good experience will more readily take the Hunter Education courses - many procrastinate now because they have never experienced hunting.

We had several people come into the Pro Shop later in the hunting season (accompanied by another hunter in all cases) wanting to go deer hunting. There were no Hunter Education courses scheduled during this part of the year (that we could find) - therefore they were out of luck. Most of the hunter education courses occur well before the season starts - which does not allow one to go hunting AT ALL unless they plan well in advance. Previously there was no late season recruitment of new hunters in Illinois.