question about Illinois hunting license

[kermit315]

Hey guys,

I want to go deer hunting in Illinois. I am an Illinois resident ,and have my FOID. I am stationed in Florida. IDNR says that I dont need a license to hunt if I am home on leave, just need the habitat stamp and deer tags.

That being said, do I need the hunters education course? I understand you need it to be issued the license, but since I am exempt from the license, I shouldnt need the course. I plan to take it still, but wont have time to do it before shotgun season opens and I am back home.

Thanks guys,

Jamie

 

[Tim the student]

I think you would be best served by calling the DNR and seeing what they say or looking on their web site etc etc.

Does Illinois accept the Florida hunters safety course? Maybe you could take one between now and then. (IIRC, Iowa accepts basically all other states, so maybe Il does as well.)

 

[kermit315]

I am going to call them tomorrow, but was wondering if anybody had seen or heard of a situation like this before.

Illinois accepts their hunter ed cert, or an out of state license from a prior year, neither of which I have. Also, their site says that Active military, that entered service from Illinois, and are home on leave, are exempt from needing a hunting license, so all I should have to buy would be the habitat stamp and deer tags.

I am going to call them. I will post back with what I find, but if anybody has any info, please chime in.

Jamie

 

[kermit315]

Well, I called DNR today, and had the first person tell me that I needed to come to Springfield in person to get everything. I asked why, I dont care about buying the tags, I just want to know about the license.

Anyway, I called permits next, and they said if conservation stops me, just show my Mil ID and it will act as my license. I am going to call the conservation cops tomorrow to see what they say, since they are who I am going to have any interaction with anyway.

 

[eclarsen]

Good luck. I'll be in the woods next weekend as well, ... downstate away from the "hunting" I hear often in Hyde Park. I know they must be hunting, using rifles and shotguns, as it is illegal to own a handgun in Chicago.

 

[kermit315]

whereabouts downstate? I am going to be in Warren/Fulton Counties.

BTW, looks like I am going to miss shotgun season due to lack of tags, so it will be bow only this year.

 

[eclarsen]

I'll be hunting in Jackson Co.

You are not out of luck yet. I checked the deer tags remaining after the lotteries and as of 11/9 there are 29 anterless only tags in Fulton Co. Warren Co was not on the list.

http://dnr.state.il.us/admin/

 

[kermit315]

Well, due to the scheduling, I wont be in Fulton until after the shotgun season closes for the break. Its OK, I will get in on the shotgun season next year. Until then, I will just bow hunt.