Illinois hunters harvested a preliminary total of 82,496 deer during the seven-day 2024 Illinois firearm deer season, which concluded on December 8. This marks an increase from the 76,494 deer harvested during the 2023 firearm season.
The second segment of the 2024 firearm season, held from December 5-8, accounted for 27,835 deer, compared to 22,883 during the same period in 2023. The first segment, which took place November 22-24, saw hunters taking 54,661 deer.
For those still seeking hunting opportunities, the 2024-2025 deer hunting season in Illinois offers additional options. The late-winter antlerless-only and chronic wasting disease (CWD) season will be held in designated counties from December 26-29 and January 17-19.
Additionally, the archery deer season continues through January 19. Hunters are encouraged to consult the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for more information and guidelines.
Central Illinois, in particular, remains a hotspot for deer hunting, thanks to its mix of woodlands and agricultural fields that provide an ideal habitat for white-tailed deer. The region draws hunters from across the state and beyond, contributing to local economies through lodging, dining, and hunting-related purchases.
The top firearms used by hunters during Illinois’ firearm deer season include 12- and 20-gauge shotguns and muzzleloaders. Shotguns remain popular due to their versatility and accuracy at short to medium ranges, while modern muzzleloaders attract hunters seeking a challenge with traditional equipment enhanced by contemporary advancements. These weapons, combined with skill and patience, play a crucial role in achieving successful and ethical hunts.
A table of preliminary 2024 firearm deer season totals by county and comparable totals for 2023 follows:
County | First 2024 | Second 2024 | Total 2024 | Total 2023 |
ADAMS | 1414 | 877 | 2291 | 2141 |
ALEXANDER | 225 | 105 | 330 | 299 |
BOND | 594 | 274 | 868 | 763 |
BOONE | 80 | 53 | 133 | 104 |
BROWN | 629 | 359 | 988 | 870 |
BUREAU | 628 | 338 | 966 | 982 |
CALHOUN | 499 | 305 | 804 | 752 |
CARROLL | 387 | 164 | 551 | 522 |
CASS | 434 | 264 | 698 | 637 |
CHAMPAIGN | 165 | 106 | 271 | 196 |
CHRISTIAN | 412 | 207 | 619 | 582 |
CLARK | 783 | 420 | 1203 | 1005 |
CLAY | 1118 | 434 | 1552 | 1356 |
CLINTON | 735 | 277 | 1012 | 799 |
COLES | 523 | 207 | 730 | 589 |
CRAWFORD | 788 | 350 | 1138 | 1022 |
CUMBERLAND | 575 | 281 | 856 | 733 |
DEKALB | 97 | 48 | 145 | 125 |
DEWITT | 261 | 160 | 421 | 350 |
DOUGLAS | 129 | 56 | 185 | 166 |
EDGAR | 407 | 186 | 593 | 574 |
EDWARDS | 309 | 172 | 481 | 430 |
EFFINGHAM | 763 | 365 | 1128 | 947 |
FAYETTE | 1298 | 669 | 1967 | 1683 |
FORD | 86 | 41 | 127 | 119 |
FRANKLIN | 879 | 462 | 1341 | 1350 |
FULTON | 1317 | 673 | 1990 | 1834 |
GALLATIN | 301 | 153 | 454 | 429 |
GREENE | 660 | 438 | 1098 | 1014 |
GRUNDY | 204 | 116 | 320 | 285 |
HAMILTON | 838 | 376 | 1214 | 1073 |
HANCOCK | 1102 | 614 | 1716 | 1521 |
HARDIN | 366 | 188 | 554 | 624 |
HENDERSON | 318 | 131 | 449 | 459 |
HENRY | 300 | 159 | 459 | 464 |
IROQUOIS | 338 | 214 | 552 | 486 |
JACKSON | 1355 | 677 | 2032 | 2010 |
JASPER | 851 | 390 | 1241 | 1081 |
JEFFERSON | 1406 | 677 | 2083 | 1912 |
JERSEY | 475 | 246 | 721 | 648 |
JODAVIESS | 936 | 442 | 1378 | 1368 |
JOHNSON | 759 | 327 | 1086 | 1079 |
KANE | 24 | 14 | 38 | 33 |
KANKAKEE | 139 | 64 | 203 | 190 |
KENDALL | 34 | 36 | 70 | 65 |
KNOX | 715 | 394 | 1109 | 1178 |
LAKE | 7 | 3 | 10 | 4 |
LASALLE | 392 | 209 | 601 | 701 |
LAWRENCE | 476 | 251 | 727 | 618 |
LEE | 424 | 231 | 655 | 548 |
LIVINGSTON | 323 | 116 | 439 | 392 |
LOGAN | 252 | 136 | 388 | 318 |
MACON | 156 | 87 | 243 | 210 |
MACOUPIN | 1200 | 635 | 1835 | 1528 |
MADISON | 549 | 199 | 748 | 655 |
MARION | 1272 | 551 | 1823 | 1669 |
MARSHALL | 462 | 195 | 657 | 599 |
MASON | 239 | 150 | 389 | 393 |
MASSAC | 235 | 156 | 391 | 386 |
MCDONOUGH | 530 | 244 | 774 | 758 |
MCHENRY | 152 | 85 | 237 | 256 |
MCLEAN | 407 | 263 | 670 | 598 |
MENARD | 260 | 156 | 416 | 380 |
MERCER | 542 | 292 | 834 | 827 |
MONROE | 798 | 321 | 1119 | 1100 |
MONTGOMERY | 707 | 353 | 1060 | 879 |
MORGAN | 435 | 271 | 706 | 667 |
MOULTRIE | 182 | 94 | 276 | 239 |
OGLE | 418 | 275 | 693 | 662 |
PEORIA | 554 | 297 | 851 | 858 |
PERRY | 918 | 492 | 1410 | 1326 |
PIATT | 100 | 45 | 145 | 120 |
PIKE | 1136 | 813 | 1949 | 1817 |
POPE | 895 | 284 | 1179 | 1314 |
PULASKI | 206 | 106 | 312 | 296 |
PUTNAM | 229 | 136 | 365 | 336 |
RANDOLPH | 1565 | 734 | 2299 | 2183 |
RICHLAND | 533 | 238 | 771 | 705 |
ROCK ISLAND | 480 | 228 | 708 | 713 |
SALINE | 605 | 314 | 919 | 872 |
SANGAMON | 358 | 186 | 544 | 493 |
SCHUYLER | 914 | 442 | 1356 | 1301 |
SCOTT | 216 | 136 | 352 | 378 |
SHELBY | 921 | 387 | 1308 | 1237 |
ST. CLAIR | 595 | 207 | 802 | 740 |
STARK | 131 | 85 | 216 | 195 |
STEPHENSON | 307 | 174 | 481 | 535 |
TAZEWELL | 371 | 199 | 570 | 510 |
UNION | 798 | 408 | 1206 | 1184 |
VERMILION | 392 | 239 | 631 | 606 |
WABASH | 156 | 82 | 238 | 178 |
WARREN | 352 | 166 | 518 | 492 |
WASHINGTON | 802 | 363 | 1165 | 1041 |
WAYNE | 1113 | 620 | 1733 | 1413 |
WHITE | 532 | 306 | 838 | 832 |
WHITESIDE | 391 | 256 | 647 | 611 |
WILL | 150 | 76 | 226 | 231 |
WILLIAMSON | 1165 | 593 | 1758 | 1748 |
WINNEBAGO | 174 | 117 | 291 | 279 |
WOODFORD | 528 | 324 | 852 | 714 |
Total | 54,661 | 27,835 | 82,496 | 76,494 |