Illinois hunters harvested more than 79 thousand deer during the firearm deer season. Hunters took more than 54 thousand during the first weekend of the firearm season, and then another 25 thousand last weekend says State Department of Natural Resources spokesperson Tim Schweizer.
The harvest was down in every area county. Fayette County took 451 deer in the second season for a total of 1501 deer for the two seasons this year—which is down from 1661 taken last year. Bond County took 181 deer during the second season for a two season total of 571—which is down from 677 last year. Montgomery County took 218 deer in the second weekend for a total of 769—which is down from 924 taken last year. And, Marion County took 401 deer in the second season, for a two season total of 1452 deer—which is down from 1552 last year.