In Illinois, our research showed the below requirements to become a hunting guide or fishing guide. Before operating as a guide ensure that you contact your states wildlife agency directly to verify all requirements.
*Always ensure that you and your clients have the necessary hunting and fishing licenses for the game you will be pursuing.
Basic requirements for Fishing Guide Jobs in Illinois:
- Fishing guides are required to have a passenger for hire license: http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/recreation/boating/Pages/PassengerRentalBoatLicense.aspx & http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/fishing/Documents/IllinoisFishingInformation.pdf
Other Fishing Guide Requirements that May Be Helpful:
- Driver’s License
- Good communication skills
- Well organized
- Ability to work with diverse groups of clients
- Willingness to teach others effective fishing techniques
- Outdoor survival and first aid skills
- Swimming skills
- Good physical fitness
Basic requirements for Hunting Guide Jobs in Illinois:
What are the qualifications for becoming an outfitter?
- An outfitter must be at least 21 years of age and not have had his or her hunting license revoked or hunting privileges suspended within the past five years.
What are the qualifications for a guide?
- A guide must be at least 18 years of age, not have had his or her hunting license revoked or hunting privileges suspended within the past five years, have a current Illinois hunting license and habitat stamp, and have successfully completed a State-approved hunter-safety course.
- How much does an Outfitter Permit cost?
The fee for an outfitter permit is $500 for a resident and $2,500 for a nonresident.
- How do I apply for a permit?
You can apply for an outfitter permit by contacting the IDNR – Office of Law Enforcement at One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, phone 217/782-6431. The office will provide you an application and deer and wild turkey management forms to complete. You will also be asked to submit:
- A plat map showing the location of the property to be covered by the permit. The map shall delineate the acreage owned, and leased or rented.
- A map of these properties showing the land uses/habitats (e.g., crop fields, hay crop, pasture, woods, brush, grass).
- Proof of current commercial liability insurance for property damage, personal injury and death with a minimum benefit of $1,000,000. (This is not required of applicants whose sole activity is arranging hunts on property controlled by others.)
- A list of guides, including their address, date of birth, and Social Security Number, who are to be employed by the outfitter. (This list of guides may be modified at any time by providing the change(s) in writing to the Office of Law Enforcement.)
- For complete information visit: dnr.state.il.us/law3/outfitter/outfitterregulationsinformation.htm
Other Hunting Guide Requirements that May Be Helpful:
- Driver’s License
- Good communication skills
- Well organized
- Ability to work with diverse groups of clients
- Willingness to teach others effective hunting techniques
- Outdoor survival and first aid skills
- Firearm safety skills
- Good physical fitness
State Wildlife Agency Contact:
Agency Name: Illinois Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
Website: http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Phone Number: 217-782-6302
Email Address: dnr.license@illinois.gov