IDNR offering hunter safety education courses in Adams County

QUINCY — The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has two hunter safety education courses scheduled for August and September in West-Central Illinois.

Both courses are being offered in Adams County.

The first will be held Aug. 8-9 at the Paloma Community Building in Paloma. The course runs 6-10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9. The course takes place Sept. 19-20 at Twin Oaks Club in Quincy. The course runs 6-10 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 19, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20.

Students must attend the entire course to be eligible for certification.

To register, call an IDNR representative at 217-936-2712.

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980, is required to complete hunter safety education certification or provide evidence of holding a hunting license issued by Illinois or another state in a prior year before purchasing a hunting license.

Instructor-led hunter safety courses are taught in-person with certified volunteer hunter safety instructors. Students will learn the hunter safety education curriculum through lectures, demonstrations, group discussions and practical exercises.

Most courses include a visit from an Illinois Conservation Police Officer to discuss Illinois hunting regulations. Students passing the 50-question multiple choice test (80% passing score) and displaying the necessary maturity to hunt independently will receive an Illinois hunter safety education certificate.