Hunters took more than 75,000 deer during Illinois’ seven-day firearm hunting season this fall, according to preliminary totals compiled by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The total represents a 7% drop from last year.
The second firearm season saw an uptick in totals, despite the lower overall numbers. More than 25,000 deer were harvested between December 5th-8th, according to IDNR’s website.
Other deer hunting opportunities remain or are still under way in the state. Those include archery hunting and hunting with muzzleloaders, late-winter antlerless-only deer hunting and Chronic Wasting Disease hunting in certain counties.