 "The busy fall hunting seasons are on the way, and summer is the
perfect time to sign up for a free hunter safety education course --
or to go online for one of the two new hunter safety course options
on the Web -- to get ready for spending time in the field this
fall," said IDNR Director Marc Miller. "We want hunters and their
hunting partners to be safe. First-time hunters and those with years
of experience can benefit from taking a safety course."Illinois
law requires that anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1980, must
successfully complete a hunter safety education course before an
Illinois hunting license can be issued. The traditional courses,
which are coordinated by the IDNR, are taught by volunteer safety
instructors. The courses include instruction on hunting regulations,
hunter ethics and responsibility, archery, firearms, ammunition,
first aid, wildlife identification, and conservation. A minimum of
10 hours of instruction is involved.
While the courses are a requirement for many young and novice
hunters, many states now require hunters of all ages to furnish
evidence of having completed a hunter education course before they
will be issued a nonresident hunting license.
Starting this month, the IDNR is offering hunters two new,
convenient ways to familiarize themselves with hunting safety
information through the Internet. The IDNR has partnered with online
companies HunterExam.com and Hunter-Ed.com to provide necessary
course work to help complete hunter safety education requirements in
Illinois.
"Young people have been exposed to incredible advances in
technology, and they have a lot more activities competing for their
time. That's why offering a way for them to learn about hunting
safety and prepare for hunter safety certification at their own pace
makes sense," Miller said.
Students may opt to take the course work section online using
either of the two new interactive hunter education courses.
Students are still required to attend a one-day field day to
finalize their certification.
"We recognize families have chaotic schedules, and that learning
styles can vary considerably," said Jeff Hopkins, IDNR safety
education administrator. "By offering both the traditional,
lecture-style course and the opportunity to learn the material
online, parents and students may select the option that works best
for them."
[to top of second column] |
Reviewing the online safety course work is free to anyone, making it
a tremendous tool for seasoned hunters to refresh their skills or
learn about new programs and equipment each year for free.
Anyone interested in reviewing the online course work can to do
so through
http://dnr.state.il.us/safety/.
Those who complete the hunter safety education course and pass
the final exam receive a certificate of competency. Last year, more
than 17,200 students completed the course in Illinois.
The IDNR Safety Education office reports there were 38
hunting-related accidents in Illinois in 2008. Of those accidents,
eight resulted in fatalities (six involving tree-stand falls). To
date in 2009, there have been three reported hunting accidents and
no reported fatalities.
"The Illinois Hunter Education Program is an ideal way for young
people and first-time hunters to learn about ways to be safe while
hunting, how to enjoy the shooting sports and to have respect for
wildlife and the environment," said Hopkins.
For more information on IDNR safety education programs and a
schedule of the traditional, in-person safety education courses,
check at
http://dnr.state.il.us/safety/ or call toll-free 1-800-832-2599.
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Natural Resources file received from the
Illinois Office of Communication and Information]
 |
