Illinois Hunters Take More Than 81,000 Deer During Firearm Season

SPRINGFIELD — Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 81,225 deer during the seven-day 2025 firearm deer season, down slightly from 82,496 in 2024. Ogle County saw 683 deer taken, Lee County reported 639, and DeKalb County recorded 144. The largest county harvest came in Randolph County with 2,183 deer. The second weekend of the season accounted for 29,816 deer compared with 27,835 in 2024, while the first weekend produced 51,409. Remaining deer hunting opportunities include late-winter antlerless-only and chronic wasting disease seasons in designated counties Jan. 1-4 and Jan. 16-18, and archery season continues through Jan. 18. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources manages wildlife, conservation, and hunting programs statewide.