Now is the time to begin preparing for the upcoming hunting seasons that are right around the corner.

That's the message from Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police Captain John Williamson. On the WHOW Morning Show Friday, Capt. Williamson indicates tags are starting to be awarded.

Capt. Williamson reminds now is the time to get those hunter safety courses taken care of. He says there is a full list of locations on the DNR website if you need to attend in person. Some individuals can just log on and take care of that online.

Now is also the time to think about checking tree stands and giving those a good once over. Capt. Williamson explains now is a good time to do that as it will allow deer to bed where you want them.

Today opens the squirrel season. Capt. Williamson says Sept. 1 opens the busy hunting season with dove season and then Oct. 1 is the opening of the archery deer season. 

Visit dnr.illinois.gov for all things hunting, fishing, and outdoors in Illinois.