Young deer hunters in Wayne County and several surrounding Southern Illinois counties helped Illinois establish a new record during the 2026 youth firearm deer hunting season.
According to preliminary figures from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, youth hunters statewide harvested 4,852 deer during the October 10 through 12 season, surpassing the previous record of 4,714 set in 2025.
Wayne County hunters harvested 114 deer, an increase of 22 from last year’s total of 92. The county also exceeded its 2024 harvest of 80 deer.
Several neighboring counties also reported increases.
Clay County recorded 105 deer, compared to 92 last year, while Hamilton County saw a substantial increase, climbing from 54 deer in 2025 to 84 this year.
White County hunters harvested 58 deer, up from 47 last year, while Richland County reported 47 deer, compared to 38 in 2025.
Edwards County recorded 18 deer, matching last year’s total, while Wabash County also remained unchanged at 17.
In other nearby counties, Jefferson County recorded 166 deer, ranking second statewide. Marion County reported 125, Jasper County 82, and Lawrence County 30.
Local youth deer harvest totals:
County 2026 2025 Change
Wayne 114 92 22
Clay 105 92 +13
Hamilton 84 54 +30
White 58 47 +11
Richland 47 38 +9
Edwards 18 18 —
Wabash 17 17 —
Statewide, Randolph County led all counties with 278 deer harvested, followed by Jefferson with 166, Pike with 150, Fayette with 145 and Marion with 125.
IDNR officials remind young hunters that unfilled, valid youth deer permits may still be used during the upcoming firearm deer seasons, scheduled for November 20th through 22nd and December 3rd through 6th.
This is the first year Illinois youth deer hunting permits have been sold as a combination package containing one either-sex permit and one antlerless-only permit.
All harvest totals remain preliminary.