BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) -- Archery deer hunting season began Wednesday, but before you start hunting, there are some legal items you need to do first.

Bow seasons will be open for three periods. Oct. 1 through Nov. 20, Nov. 24 through Dec. 3, and Dec. 8 through Jan. 18.

Individuals cannot hunt without a proper license and safety certifications for some. Anyone under 18, or born after 1980, will also need to get their safety certification before they can hunt.

Cody Gray is the Safety Education Administrator with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. He said making sure to be properly licensed is the most important step.

"The biggest legal piece is making sure that they're licensed and then communicating with the license provider, the vendor, what their intent is so they can get

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