Hunters harvested a preliminary total of 151,577 deer during all 2018-19 archery and firearm seasons, which ended Jan. 20.
The total preliminary deer harvest for all seasons is higher than the total harvest of 147,695 deer for all seasons in 2017-18.
During the 2018-19 deer seasons, hunters took 45 percent does and 55 percent bucks.
Archery: Archery deer hunters took a preliminary total of 61,079 deer during the season which began on Oct. 1 and ended Jan. 20. 2017-18 archery season harvest was 57,929 deer.
Youth: Youth deer hunters harvested a preliminary total of 1,650 deer during the three-day youth deer season Oct. 6-8, compared to 2,378 in 2017.
Traditional Firearm Season: Hunters took a preliminary total of 80,896 deer during firearm deer season Nov. 16-18, and Nov. 29-Dec. 2. In 2017, 80,117 deer were taken during the firearm season.
Muzzleloader: Hunters harvested 3,863 deer during muzzleloader-only deer season on Dec. 7-9, compared with 3,765 deer taken in the 2017 muzzleloader season.
Late-Winter Seasons: Late-winter antlerless-only and special CWD deer seasons ended Jan. 20 with a combined preliminary harvest total of 4,089 deer. In 2017-18, a total of 3,506 deer were taken. Season dates were Dec. 27-30, and Jan. 18-20.
There were 15 northern Illinois counties open to the special CWD season in both the 2018-19 and 2017-18 seasons. The special CWD season is used to assist in slowing the spread of chronic wasting disease in the Illinois deer herd.
There were 20 counties open for the late-winter antlerless season in 2018-19; 22 counties were open for the late-winter season in 2017-18. Counties that are at or below their individual deer population goal for two consecutive years may be removed from the late-winter season.
Tables with a county-by-county summary of preliminary deer harvest results for 2018-19, and final 2017-18 harvest results can be found by clicking here.