Any other states have something like this?

On the surface it looks good for the future of our hunting community.

Does anyone see any holes in the legislation?

http://dnr.state.il.us/pubaffairs/2006/July/hunter.htm

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.

Link goes to waterfowl season dates?

I dont know all the details yet on this but I have some questions.

A regular hunting license hear is only 7.50

The new apprentice license is only 7.00

SO, why all the hoopla for a new license that is only going to save someone 50 cents?

What am I missing?

Don K

It has very little to do with the cost of a hunting license. You are correct that the discount is silly.

What they have made law is that this cheaper license allows you to hunt with a partner for a period of one year without taking a Hunter Education Course.

Many people complain that a hunter safety course lowers the number of people participating in the sport. Illinois just became a test case.

Ok, I see what your saying now but I dont agree with it.

If someone wants to learn about hunting without taking the hunted education course then let them go along with the hunter and observe. If they want to hunt let them take the course.

IMO, I think this is political BS. They are painting something that it isnt.

i agree with don that it is a little b.s., in the sense that, hunting should or at least could be taught to a newcomer by a seasoned hunter. i think more info would be retained if the person actually went hunting instaed of talking about it for 10 hours( 2 five hour courses normally) instaed these courses are taught by a volunteer, so who knows what you may or may not learn. BUT, at least the state is trying to do something to recruit more hunters, and this doesn't seem to bad of an idea. a newcomer gets to hunt and if he/she enjoys it then they have to take the course next year to hunt. one big drawback i see is that they just passed this law and if i read it correctly it is only for this year, so too bad for someone who wanted to try out deer hunting for the firearm deer season, unless they get lucky in a daily drawing