Illinois hunters harvested 51,409 deer during the first weekend of the state’s firearm deer season, held Nov. 21–23, according to preliminary totals released by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The number is down from 54,661 taken in 2024 and 53,348 in 2023.
The seven-day firearm season will conclude December 4th through the 7th. For the first time, youth hunters with an unfilled youth deer permit may use that permit during the second firearm segment.
Upcoming Deer Hunting Opportunities
• Muzzleloader-only season: Dec. 12–14
• Late-winter antlerless-only & CWD seasons (select counties): Jan. 1–4 and Jan. 16–18
• Archery season: Continues through Jan. 18
o Note: Archery deer hunting is closed Dec. 4–7 in counties open for firearm season.
More information about deer hunting regulations is available through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Below are the preliminary harvest numbers from the first weekend of firearm season, compared with totals from 2024 and 2023:
(All numbers reflect deer harvested during the first firearm weekend.)
County 2023 2024 2025
Clay 1007 1118 988
Edwards 283 309 304
Effingham 696 763 699
Franklin 888 879 761
Gallatin 306 301 241
Hamilton 750 838 763
Jefferson 1286 1406 1356
Lawrence 426 476 407
Marion 1202 1272 1164
Richland 480 533 492
Saline 611 605 577
Wabash 126 156 144
Wayne 938 1113 1097
White 542 532 535
Williamson 1163 1165 1060
Statewide Totals:
• 2023: 53,348
• 2024: 54,661
• 2025: 51,409
The Illinois firearm deer season will resume December 4th.