Illinois Adds Hunter Education to Schools

by
posted on November 18, 2019
illinoishuntereducationinschools_lead.jpg

Illinois schools will soon have the option to provide hunter education as an in-class program or after-school activity to students across the state. Signed into law on July 26 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the initiative is designed to strengthen hunter and firearm safety for students.

While specific guidelines have yet to be adopted, course components may include firearm safety, responsible firearm ownership, transportation laws, and how to ensure compliance with local hunting ordinances, as well as hunting ethics, first aid, wildlife conservation and bowhunting. Though the course prohibits firearms or live ammunition in the classroom, students will have the opportunity to visit a range outside school grounds.

“While we need to see what sort of guidelines the state board of education sets, it’s encouraging to see Illinois agree to provide courses that teach the safe and responsible use of firearms,” said NRA-ILA spokesman and communications manager Lars Dalseide. “Hopefully, this will serve as a roadmap for other states that fail to provide such valuable lessons to our youth.”

Other states, such as Iowa, South Dakota and North Carolina, already offer hunter education in schools. For individuals who want to obtain their hunter education, the NRA also offers a free online-hunter education course at NRAHE.org; the course can be tailored to meet each state’s hunter education requirements. Currently, Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and West Virginia offer the NRA’s free online course.

Latest

How To Hunt North Woods Without Snow Lead
How To Hunt North Woods Without Snow Lead

How to Hunt the North Woods Without Snow

In the North Woods, when no snow covers the ground, you won't see deer by any hunting method unless you first find woods with sign. The most successful hunters here, regardless of the weather, are adaptable.

Recipe: Easy Grouse Shawarma

Brad Fenson takes some fresh spruce grouse from a recent hunt in Saskatchewan, and turns them into an easy, delicious shawarma.

Art Fueling Conservation in Arkansas

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation and Historic Cane Hill have issued a nationwide call for art to be featured on the 2025 Arkansas Northern Bobwhite Conservation Stamp and Eastern Wild Turkey Conservation Stamp.

4 Reasons Big-Bore Revolvers are Still Ideal Trail Guns

Although semi-automatic pistols have a place in the trail gun line up, revolvers still have their advantages.

First Look: Rise Reliant Bolt-Action Trigger

Rise Triggers has entered the bolt-action market with its first-ever trigger for the Remington 700 platform: the Reliant Hunter and Reliant Pro triggers.

NRA Announces New Club Leadership & Development Online Course

The National Rifle Association of America is pleased to announce the release of its newly revised edition of the NRA Club Leadership & Development Online Course.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.