Hunters in Illinois have harvested a preliminary total of 170,758 deer during the 2024-2025 archery and firearm seasons, which ended on January 19. This figure shows an increase compared to the total harvest of 160,313 deer in the previous year.
During the recent season, hunters took 46.27% females and 53.72% males. The final harvest totals by season and county will be published in the annual deer harvest report later this spring.
In specific categories, archery deer hunters reported a preliminary total of 73,598 deer from October 1 to January 19. This is an increase from the previous year's total of 71,226 deer.
Youth hunters harvested a preliminary total of 4,057 deer during the three-day youth season held from October 12-14. This is a decrease from last year's total of 4,576.
For firearm season hunters, a preliminary total of 82,496 deer was recorded during November and December sessions. Last year’s firearm season saw a harvest of 76,494 deer.
Muzzleloader hunters recorded a preliminary harvest of 2,832 deer during their designated December session compared to last year's figure of 3,378.
The late-winter antlerless-only and special chronic wasting disease (CWD) seasons concluded with a combined preliminary harvest total of 7,775 deer. These seasons ran for seven days between late December and mid-January. In comparison, last year’s similar period saw a harvest of 4,639 deer.
Eighteen northern counties participated in the special CWD season aimed at controlling chronic wasting disease spread within Illinois' deer population. Twenty-seven counties were open for this year's late-winter antlerless season compared to twenty-three counties last year. Counties that remain at or below their individual population goals for two consecutive years may be removed from future late-winter seasons.
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