ILLINOIS HUNTERS HARVEST MORE THAN 81,000 DEER DURING 2025 FIREARM SEASON

Hunters across Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 81,225 deer during the seven-day 2025 Illinois firearm deer season, which concluded December 7th, according to figures released by state wildlife officials. The total is slightly lower than the 82,496 deer taken during the 2024 firearm season. The second weekend of the season, held December 4th–7th, accounted for 29,816 deer, an increase from the 27,835 harvested during the same period last year. During the first weekend of the season, November 21st–23rd, hunters harvested 51,409 deer statewide.

Several counties in southern and southeastern Illinois reported strong harvest numbers, including Jefferson County with 2,185 deer, Randolph County with 2,183, Marion County with 1,798, Wayne County with 1,761, White County with 921, Clay County with 1492, Hamilton County with 1,240, Richland County with 793 and Edwards County with 457. Statewide totals reflected a mix of increases and decreases compared to 2024, with some counties seeing notable gains during the second weekend. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that additional deer hunting opportunities remain available during the 2025–2026 season. These include:
Late-winter antlerless-only and chronic wasting disease (CWD) seasons in designated counties on January 1st–4th and January 16th–18th. Ongoing archery deer season, which continues through January 18th.

A full breakdown of preliminary firearm deer harvest totals by county, along with comparisons to 2024, has been released by the state. Hunters are encouraged to review season regulations and county-specific rules before participating in remaining hunts. More information about deer hunting opportunities in Illinois is available through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.