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Illinois’ 2017-18 Deer Seasons Conclude with Preliminary Harvest of
147,535 Deer
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[January 24, 2018]
SPRINGFIELD - Hunters in Illinois harvested a
preliminary total of 147,535 deer during all 2017-18 archery and
firearm seasons, which concluded on Jan. 14. The total preliminary
deer harvest for all seasons compares with a total harvest for all
seasons of 144,303 deer in 2016-17.
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 During the 2017-18 deer seasons, hunters took 44 percent does
and 56 percent males.
Archery: Archery deer hunters in Illinois took a preliminary
total of 57,937 deer during the season which began on Oct. 1,
2017 and concluded on Jan. 14, 2018. That compares with the
harvest of 53,468 during the 2016-17 archery season.
Youth: Youth deer hunters harvested a preliminary total of 2,372
deer during the three-day Illinois Youth Deer Season (Oct. 7-9,
2017), compared to 3,272 in 2016.
Traditional Firearm Season: Hunters took a preliminary total of
80,021 deer during the Illinois Firearm Deer Season on Nov.
17-19, 2017 and Nov. 30-Dec. 3, 2017, compared with 79,559 deer
taken during the 2016 firearm season.
Muzzleloader: Hunters using muzzleloading rifles harvested 3,700
deer during the Muzzleloader-Only Deer Season on Dec. 8-10,
2017, compared with harvest 3,308 in the 2016 muzzleloader
season.
Late-Winter Seasons: The 2017-18 Late-Winter Antlerless-Only and
Special CWD deer seasons concluded on Jan. 14, 2018, with a
combined preliminary harvest total for both seasons of 3,505
deer, compared with a harvest of 4,696 deer taken during those
seasons in 2016-17. Season dates for the seven-day Late-Winter
and CWD seasons were Dec. 28-31, 2017 and Jan. 12-14, 2018.
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There were 15 northern Illinois counties open to the
Special CWD Season in 2017-18, while 14 counties were open for the
2016-17 seasons. The Special CWD season is used to assist in slowing
the spread of chronic wasting disease in the Illinois deer herd.
There were 22 counties open for the Late-Winter Antlerless Season in
2017-18, two fewer counties than were open for the Late-Winter
season in 2016-17. Counties that are at or below their individual
deer population goal for two consecutive years may be removed from
the Late-Winter season.
The tables below provide a county-by-county summary of preliminary
deer harvest results for 2017-18 and harvest results for 2016-17.
[ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL
RESOURCES]
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