Follow these straightforward steps to obtain an Illinois hunting license:
- Step 1: Complete a Hunter Education Certification course
- Step 2: Select your license type
- Step 3: Purchase your Illinois Department of Natural Resources license online or in person through a licensed agent.
IL Hunter Education Certification
How do I get my Hunter Education Certificate (Card)
You have 4 options to complete your hunter education requirements to hunt in Illinois. The first three are offered through Illinois; ours is the last & fastest option, allowing you to be certified through Texas with reciprocity in Illinois via IHEA.
- Complete an in-person course through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. These are offered for all ages but are 10 hours long over 2 days.
- An online course through one of Illinois Department of Natural Resources' exclusive partners if you're over 18. These courses will take about 4-6 hours.
- A hybrid online/in-person course is also offered via the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, but only for those over age 18. These courses will take about 4-6 hours with a 6-8 hour field day.
- Or complete our 3-hour online-only, all-video-based Hunter Education Course (Adults 17 and older only). We are an International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) approved provider. The IHEA & TPWD Hunter Education Card you will receive after our course is valid for life and is accepted in all 50 US States and any additional territories or countries that share reciprocity with the IHEA. No in-person requirements are required for our course.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Website states that they "recognize hunter safety education certificates issued by other states, provinces of Canada, and other jurisdictions that meet International Hunter Education Association-USA basic hunter education curriculum standards."
What makes our course the best?
First and foremost, we offer the best technology experience among all the courses on the market. We have students who opt to take our course even though they already hold their Hunter Education Card, as they simply love it that much.
Skip having to attend an in-person field-day course with our 3 hour interactive Hunter Safety course.
After completing the Hunter Ed course and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your temporary Hunter Education Certificate.
We submit your course results to TPWD. They will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (Card) in 24 hours (this can take 3-4 days when completed outside of hunting season, April-July); however, when taken during peak hunting season, August-March, it's processed in 24 hours. This is valid for use in all 50 U.S. states (including Illinois), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or U.S. territory that has reciprocity with IHEA-USA & State Issued Hunter Education Certificates.
Select Your Illinois Hunting License
Illinois offers a variety of hunting licenses for different age groups, residency statuses, and hunting preferences, in compliance with state regulations.
The state habitat stamp and species-specific permits may be required.
Below is an overview of the primary license types available:
Resident Licenses
A resident is an individual who has resided in Illinois for at least 30 consecutive days. Active-duty military members are considered residents. All Illinois residents must have a resident hunting license. If using firearms, they must also have a Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) Card.
- Resident Hunting License Required for Illinois residents aged 16 and older to hunt. Does not include deer or turkey permits, stamps, or waterfowl endorsements.
- Resident Sportsmen's Combination Hunting/Fishing License Provides both hunting and inland fishing privileges in one license for residents.
- Resident Super Senior Hunting License Available to residents aged 75 and older at a reduced fee.
- Resident Veteran Hunting License Available to qualifying veterans who are Illinois residents.
- Resident Lifetime Hunting License Provides lifetime hunting privileges for residents; separate stamps and species-specific permits are still required.
Non-Resident Hunting Licenses
- Non-Resident Hunting License Required for non-residents aged 16 and older to hunt in Illinois. Does not include species-specific permits or stamps.
- Non-Resident 5-Day Hunting License Short-term license valid for five consecutive days, commonly used for small game or waterfowl hunting trips.
- Non-Resident Lifetime Hunting License Offers non-residents lifetime hunting privileges in Illinois.
Youth Licenses & Requirements
- Youth Hunting and Trapping License Available to individuals under age 18. Allows hunting and trapping under the supervision of a licensed adult age 21 or older. Supervision may not be required if the youth has completed an approved hunter safety course.
Senior Licenses & Discounts
- Resident Senior Hunting License Available to residents aged 65 and older at a discounted rate.
- Resident Super Senior Hunting License For residents aged 75 and older, with additional discounting.
Lifetime Licenses (Residents Only)
- Resident Lifetime Hunting License Grants lifetime privileges to hunt. Hunters still need to acquire applicable species permits and stamps.
- Resident Lifetime Sportsmen's Combination License Grants lifetime hunting and fishing privileges. Does not include deer or turkey permits or stamps.
Disability & Military Licenses
- Disabled Resident Hunting License Issued to Illinois residents with a certified permanent disability. Allows hunting of legal game species without an annual license, though tags and stamps may still be required.
- Active-Duty Military Exemption Illinois residents on active military leave may hunt without a license while on official leave, provided they entered service from Illinois and carry appropriate documentation.
Required Endorsements & Tags
- State Habitat Stamp Required for anyone aged 18 or older hunting deer, turkey, upland birds, rabbits, squirrels, or furbearers. Exemptions apply to disabled veterans and former POWs.
- State Migratory Waterfowl Stamp Required for hunters aged 18 and over pursuing migratory waterfowl. Exemptions apply for some disabled individuals.
- Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) Required for all hunters aged 16 and older who hunt migratory waterfowl. Must be signed in ink across the face to be valid.
- Deer and Turkey Permits Required for hunting deer and turkey during their respective firearm and archery seasons. Separate permits are issued for each species and season.
All hunting licenses and stamps are effective from date of purchase through March 31 of the following year. Illinois residents are able to purchase a lifetime hunting license.
Where to buy your Illinois Hunting License
To hunt in Illinois, you can purchase your license either online through the official licensing platform ExploreMoreIL or in person at an authorized licensing agent, especially after completing an online hunter education course in Illinois like ours. A comprehensive list of in-person agents is available here: ExploreMoreIL Agent Locator.
Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in the state of Illinois:
- Bass Pro Shops – Gurnee, IL Address: 6112 W Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL 60031 Phone: (847) 856-1229
- Cabela's – Hoffman Estates, IL Address: 5225 Prairie Stone Pkwy, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192 Phone: (847) 645-0400
- Walmart Supercenter – Springfield, IL Address: 1100 Lejune Dr, Springfield, IL 62703 Phone: (217) 529-6221
- Six Mile Regional Library District – Granite City, IL Address: 2001 Delmar Ave, Granite City, IL 62040 Phone: (618) 452-6238
- Dick's Sporting Goods – Peoria, IL Address: 5205 W War Memorial Dr, Peoria, IL 61615 Phone: (309) 692-3900
For more information, you can contact:
Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
Contact Information: Phone: (217) 782-6302 Email: [email protected] Website: dnr.illinois.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I sign up for the course before the hunting season?
Ideally, take your course by summer so you don’t miss out during the license purchase rush in late summer and fall.
How much does it cost to get your Hunter Education Certificate?
$29. We accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, all major credit cards, and signature debit cards. We also offer a 100% money-back guarantee.
Will the Texas Hunter Education Card (Certificate) be accepted in Illinois?
Yes, the permanent Texas Parks & Wildlife Hunter Education Card (Certification) is recognized by Illinois and all other states and provinces with mandatory hunter education requirements due to reciprocity agreements with the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA). The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Website states that they "recognize hunter safety education certificates issued by other states, provinces of Canada, and other jurisdictions that meet International Hunter Education Association-USA basic hunter education curriculum standards."
Do I need to take a Hunter Safety course in Illinois?
In Illinois, due to state regulations and hunting laws, all hunters born after January 1, 1980, must complete hunter education certification unless they can provide proof of previously holding a valid hunting license in Illinois or another state.