Illinois hunters take180,669 deer in 2012-13 season | Sports & Recreation

Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 180,669 deer during all 2012-13 seasons.  Illinois deer seasons closed last weekend as hunters concluded the Archery Deer Season and the last segments of the Late-Winter and Special Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) deer hunting seasons on Jan. 20.

Wayne County had the highest deer kill in southeastern Illinois with 3,139 including 1,721 during firearm season. 

Other totals for Tri-State counties for 2012 were:

• Clay         2,017
• White      1,803
• Saline      1,739
• Richland  1,327
• Lawrence  1,043
• Wabash       518

The total preliminary deer harvest for all seasons of 180,669 compares with a total harvest for all seasons of 181,451 in 2011-12.  During this year’s deer seasons, hunters took 49 percent does and 51 percent males.  Illinois’ record deer harvest occurred in the 2005-06 season, when 201,209 deer were taken. 

“We hope Illinois deer hunters had an enjoyable time afield this year, and took advantage of the many hunting opportunities afforded them,” said Paul Shelton, IDNR’s Forest Wildlife Program Manager.  “In the coming months, deer biologists will be reviewing all available data and making any needed program changes in order to ensure the continued well-being of Illinois’ deer herd for this and future generations.”