During the first weekend of the Illinois firearm deer season, hunters harvested a preliminary total of 51,409 deer, a noticeable decrease compared to 54,661 in 2024 and 53,348 in 2023. The hunting period, which took place from November 21-23, marks the beginning of a seven-day season that will extend for additional segments in early December and January.
While many counties experienced reductions in deer numbers compared to last year, Adams County saw a drop from 1,414 deer in 2024 to 1,232 this year. With youth hunters now permitted to use unfilled permits during both segments of the firearm season, many look forward to upcoming hunting opportunities, including a muzzleloader-only season set for December 12-14.
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