What Is an Illinois Apprentice or Youth Hunting License?

New hunters in Illinois have several options when it comes to getting their first hunting license. The state has two programs to introduce novice hunters to the sport through supervised, hands-on experience: the Illinois Apprentice or Youth Hunting License.

Both programs are designed to help new hunters have safe and enjoyable hunting experiences during their inaugural season. These licenses can provide an accessible and educational entry point for any first-time hunter or a parent looking to introduce their child to the remarkable and life-changing world of hunting.

Who can get one of these licenses, and how do they work? That's what we're talking about today.

An Overview of the Illinois Apprentice Hunting License

The Illinois Apprentice Hunting License encourages new hunters to explore hunting before committing to the state-mandated hunter education course.

Available to residents and non-residents of any age, this license pairs beginners with an experienced hunter who must be at least 21 years old. The mentor must have a current hunting license to take the apprentice on public land and is not required to hunt on private land.

The Apprentice Hunting License Illinois offers is an outstanding way of providing a "trial period" that introduces people to conservation and Illinois' deep-rooted hunting traditions.

Who Is Eligible for an Illinois Apprentice License?

Do you qualify for an Illinois Apprentice Hunting License? Here are the criteria:

• Applicants can be of any age.
• Applicants can be residents or non-residents.
• The Apprentice License is non-renewable and expires on March 31, following the date of issuance.

This is an excellent option if you've never hunted before and you want to give it a try with an experienced hunter before going through the state's hunter education course.

What Is an Illinois Youth Hunting License?

The Illinois Youth Hunting License allows novice hunters under 18 to participate in regular hunting seasons and youth-only hunting opportunities. 

Along with this license, a licensed adult hunter aged 21 or older must accompany the young hunter. However, if the hunter has a valid certificate of completion from a hunter safety or trapper safety course approved by the state, the young hunter is exempt from the requirement to be under the supervision of an adult. 

What Are the Benefits of Apprentice and Youth Licenses in Illinois?

The Illinois Apprentice and Youth Hunting Licenses offer supervised starting points for new hunters to learn valuable hunting, weapons, safety, and vital conservation skills in a controlled environment.

Beginners can learn essential field skills while building confidence through hands-on experience that minimizes the risks associated with novice hunters. Partnering with experienced hunters also ensures that ethical traditions and best practices are passed on to future generations. 

Hunting Regulations for Illinois Apprentice and Youth License Holders

Each type of hunting license is subject to specific regulations to ensure safety and ethical hunting practices.

These regulations include:

• Apprentice License holders are required to hunt under the supervision of a licensed adult at least 21 years old when hunting on public land. The supervising hunter must possess a current hunting license. However, when hunting on private land, the adult is not required to have a hunting license.
  
  
• Youth License Holders: Adult supervision is required unless the youth license holder has completed a state-approved hunter safety or trapper safety course. 

Apprentice and Youth License holders can also participate in early-season and special event hunts, which are available only to youth hunters. 

Can You Hunt a Buck with an Apprentice License Illinois Offers?

Absolutely! You can hunt a buck with an Apprentice License in Illinois. In fact, you can hunt any whitetail deer that is in season and that falls within the state's current hunting regulations.

To do so, you must:

• Have a current Apprentice License
• Purchase the appropriate Illinois Deer Permit for the desired season: Archery, Firearm, Muzzleloader Only, Special Chronic Wasting Disease, Late-Winter Anterless-Only, or Youth Firearm
• Purchase a State Habitat Stamp

Then, make sure you follow all current deer hunting regulations, including harvest limits for antlered and antlerless deer, weapon restrictions, and tagging requirements.

How Can You Get an Apprentice or Youth License in Illinois?

To get an Illinois Apprentice or Youth Hunting License, apply online at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) website or an authorized vendor.

You can also get the necessary permits or stamps for your hunt through the IDNR website or authorized vendors.

Hunter Safety and Education Requirements in Illinois

Although Illinois does not currently require Apprentice hunters to complete a hunter safety course, we recommend taking one anyway.

A comprehensive and state-specific hunter education course, like those offered by us here at ilearntohunt, better prepares young hunters with the critical foundational skills they need for safe firearms handling, species identification, local regulations, conservation, and ethical hunting practices like fair chase.

Youth License holders do not need to complete a hunter safety course as long as they are accompanied by an adult (over age 21) with a current Illinois hunting license. 

Key Considerations for Hunting in Illinois

As an Illinois Apprentice or Youth hunter, always be sure to:

• Know the current season's dates, bag limits, species restrictions, and weapon-specific regulations.
• Property tag and report all harvested game per IDNR requirements.
• Always secure landowner permission before hunting on private property and respect the landowner's rules. 

We also recommend planning your hunt with apps like HuntWise to help you scout and locate hunting areas in public lands and identify private property boundaries.

ilearntohunt Helps Young or New Hunters Stay Safe in the Field

The Illinois Apprentice and Youth Hunting Licenses are critical programs that provide supportive entry points into the hunting world. Both are valuable tools that blend education, mentorship, safety, tradition, and accessibility for the next generation of hunters. 

After all, hunting is more than the pursuit and harvest of wild game. It's a connection to a time when hunting was humans' primary food source, and the knowledge passed from the elders to the next generation determined a family and community's survival. 

Innovative youth licensing programs and comprehensive hunter education courses, like those offered by ilearntohunt, allow new hunters to explore this outdoor tradition while building a solid foundation for a lifetime of safe and ethical hunting. Plus, our online courses are state-approved and a fun way to learn!

Help your young or new hunter stay safe with the ilearntohunt course for Illinois!