Illinois deer harvest up after first gun weekend

Illinois deer hunters harvested 52,354 deer during the first weekend of firearm deer season November 18-20.

The Department of Natural Resources said that's an increase of nearly 3400 over last year's harvest of 48,964 deer.


The totals were up in all but one southernmost Illinois county (Alexander.) County harvest numbers include:

Alexander County 
2020 - 257
2021 - 264
2022 - 239

Jackson County  
2020 - 1,230
2021 - 1,290
2022 - 1,484

Massac County  
2020 - 220
2021 - 238
2022 - 268

Pope County  
2020 - 888
2021 - 934
2022 - 1,068

Pulaski County  
2020 - 178
2021 - 190
2022 - 222

Union County
2020 - 773
2021 - 795
2022 - 812

Williamson County
2020 - 950
2021 - 1,109
2022 - 1,287


Illinois' firearm deer season will conclude December 1-4.



(Photo Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources)