Illinois Rep. Jerry Costello has introduced House Bill 3623, which will allow individuals to purchase apprentice hunting licenses for multiple years. It will be heard before the Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday, May 2, at 8 a.m. in room 409 of the Capitol Building. HB 3623 has already passed the house by a resounding bi-partisan vote of 94-0.
Take Action Today! Illinois members should contact their senator and ask them to vote YES on House Bill 3623. Members can contact their senator by using the Sportsmen’s Alliance Legislative Action Center.
Research has shown that having the ability to purchase an apprentice license for three or more years leads to a higher percentage of people transitioning to hunter education and becoming life-long hunters. Neighboring Indiana, Missouri, Michigan and Wisconsin all permit multiple-year purchases of apprentice licenses.
“Apprentice licenses have effectively recruited key demographics to hunting, including women and people living in metropolitan areas,” said Luke Houghton, associate director of state services for Sportsmen’s Alliance. “It’s important to remove unnecessary barriers that prevent the apprentice hunting license from being used by more people and for longer periods of time. HB 3623 accomplishes those goals.”
House Bill 3623 is supported by the national Families Afield effort, which is led by the Sportsmen’s Alliance, National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, National Rifle Association and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. This coalition has successfully championed mentored or apprentice hunting laws in 41 states since the Families Afield program was launched in 2005, and has seen more than 2.23 million apprentice licenses sold. This bill is also supported locally by the Illinois Federation for Outdoor Resources.
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.