Legal hunting age in Illinois?

CAnderson

CAnderson

Well-known member
I was looking over the Illinois DNR website and couldn't not find the minimum legal hunting age in IL. My son will be 12y.o. in May. He holds a valid NJ hunting license. He has hunted the past 2 years as NJ's minimum age is 10. He has obviously been through a hunter education course as well.

Can he hunt legally in IL on a non- resident license?

Thanks in advance.
 
As long as they attend a IDNR approaved hunter/safety course and pass the exam they are good to go. Out of five kids, my youngest was 8 when he took his class and passed the exam.
 
I went with my cousin to a hunter safety class in IL when he was young. I don't remember how old he was then, somewhere around 10.

If you are planning a hunt in IL make sure you bring all the ammunition you will need. You cannot buy it without a FOID card.

Tom
 
good point to keep in mind. We have similar rules in NJ but it only pertains to rifle ammo, pistol ammo and reloading powders, shot and buffers. Shotgun shells can be purchased without a need of our Firearm Purchaser ID card.

I did read on the IDNR website that if you wish to hunt with a firearm you will need a FOID card. Is this because of the needed ability to purchase your hunting weapon and ammo? Or is a FOID card needed to simply transport and possess a hunting weapon while on the hunt?

I plan to call IDNR Monday for some further clarification of the rules.

Thanks again for the assistance.
 
good point to keep in mind. We have similar rules in NJ but it only pertains to rifle ammo, pistol ammo and reloading powders, shot and buffers. Shotgun shells can be purchased without a need of our Firearm Purchaser ID card.

I did read on the IDNR website that if you wish to hunt with a firearm you will need a FOID card. Is this because of the needed ability to purchase your hunting weapon and ammo? Or is a FOID card needed to simply transport and possess a hunting weapon while on the hunt?

I plan to call IDNR Monday for some further clarification of the rules.

Thanks again for the assistance.
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Chad,

Only Illinois residents need a fOID card. Now if you go to a Dicks Sporting Goods or Walmart you may have problems buying ammo. My experience has been their employees don't typically know the laws. I'd suggest bringing your ammo unless your hunting with a resident or a guide who then will be able to help. If you get your boy the apprentice license and are only targeting waterfowl you will not need a state waterfowl stamp, federal stamp or habitat stamp. You will need the apprentice hunting license and a HIP number which is free.
 
Illinois requires successfully completing a hunter safety course to apply for a hunting license. I do not know if courses from other states are acceptable. The FOID card is for Illinois residents only as posted. The state has recently raised the rate and expiration duration.

I do not believe there is a minimum age. My daughter took the hunter safety course when she was 10. Got her license the same year. Facilities offering the hunter safety course STRONGLY recommended a parent take the course with them (even if not required for the adult). We the called the state police about a FOID card. The law states "If a card holding adult is in direct control of the minor, a FOID card for the minor is not required". We then asked the definition of "direct control". We were told it meant the ability to reach out and touch the minor. As we were planning a deer hunt, and I was going to post my daughter in a stand without me. We applied for and received the FOID card. Again there was no issue of age limit.
 
Interesting note on the FOID card for your daughter. I figured a minor would not need one because I would assume they cannot legally purchase ammo or weapons.

Thanks again for the reassurance of the issue.
 
12 years old is fine, especially because he's successfully completed his state's hunter safety. FOID cards are for Illinois Residents only.

The regs say, being under 16, he only needs a hunting license and HIP Certification. You get that free of charge when you buy the license. I would recommend getting him the Apprentice Hunting License. This is for residents or, non-residents and, only costs $7.50.

The language regarding hunter safety reads... "Hunters born on or after January 1, 1980 must show proof that they have successfully completed a Hunter Education Course by Illinois DNR or, their resident state or, must show a previous hunting license." So, completing it in your resident state would cover him.

He's good to go. Just needs dad to get him there... :)
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I went with my cousin to a hunter safety class in IL when he was young. I don't remember how old he was then, somewhere around 10.

If you are planning a hunt in IL make sure you bring all the ammunition you will need. You cannot buy it without a FOID card.

Tom
Click to expand...
Non-residents can purchase ammo if they have a valid non-resident hunting license.
 
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