In April, State Representative Avery Bourne sponsored legislation to create a youth trapping license in an effort to promote trapping statewide. The bill passed unanimously in the Illinois House and Senate and was signed into law by Governor Bruce Rauner on Monday.

As of January 1, 2017, the new law will allow residents who are 18 years old and younger to legally trap in the state.

With this license, the holder must trap under the supervision of a parent, grandparent or guardian who is 21 or older and has a valid Illinois trapping license. To obtain the license, you must apply to the Department of Natural Resources and submit a fee of $7.

According to Representative Bourne, trapping plays an important role in the ecology and conservation in the state by helping manage wildlife populations at healthy levels. For details about what animals can be legally trapped, check the Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations at dnr.illinois.gov.