Late Season Archery Harvest Numbers

Deer harvest totals stayed up the majority of the 2018 - 2019 season with 60% of the 57,237 taken by compound bow and 39% harvested by crossbows.  While there is still a time to fill those tags, hunters during last weeks harvest shot 75% does.  

Kellie with her mature buck from Macoupin County.  It scored 160 7/9.  Big congrats to Kellie on her harvest!

ARCHERY DEER SEASON
Through Tuesday, January 1, 2019, Illinois archery deer hunters harvested a preliminary total of 57,237 deer, compared to 55,599 for the same period in the 2017-18 season.

Preliminary Deer Harvest Totals from Illinois Muzzleloader-only Season

Check out this weeks preliminary numbers of the Illinois Muzzleloader-only Season. 

MUZZLELOADER DEER SEASON

Illinois deer hunters harvested a preliminary total of 3,863 deer during the 2018 muzzleloading rifle deer season (Dec. 7-9), compared to 3,765 in 2017.

Harvest sex ratios were 56% does and 44% males (2172:1691).

The top five counties for muzzleloader season harvest were Pike (164), Randolph (132), Adams (129), Hancock (109), and Fulton (99).

Check out County by County numbers.  

Archery Deer Numbers Still Up After First Firearm Season

Archery deer hunters are back in the stand after last weeks First Firearm Season.  Numbers are still up and some big bucks are being taken this year.  Buck consist of 54% of the harvest but have "Dropped significantly during the past seven days compared to previous weeks".   I'm excited to see how the numbers during the second firearm season will compare.  Please send your pictures in and share them with the Capitol Outdoors community.

Rick with a big 9 pointer during the 2018 first firearm season.

First Season of Shotgun Deer Totals Up

Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 58,836 deer during the first weekend of the Illinois Firearm Deer Season on Nov. 16-18. Hunters took 51,450 deer during the first firearm weekend in 2017.

Round 6 of Archery Harvest Numbers Show Bucks in the Rut

That cold front that pushed through last week showed in this weeks archery harvest numbers.  Harvest numbers are still up for the year and the ratio doe vs buck are slowly starting to switching for the season.  66% of deer taking this week were bucks. As the orange army takes the field this week, will that ratio finally switch over to more buck harvested for the season?  The Illinois Department of Natural Resources sent out a reminder on Firearm Safety and CWD Check-in Stations.   

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) Claims Over 400 Illinois deer in 2018

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources released the following information that EHD claimed more then 400 deer this year in Illinois.  The 432 cases from 49 different counties are at "EHD appears to be at low to moderate levels in counties on or near the Illinois River, extending from Schuyler County to the southwest through Bureau County to the northeast".  If this rings a bell, Capitol Outdoors brought you a story about a potential EHD case at Jim Edgar Panther Creek.

EHD Outbreak in Illinois Claims More than 400 Deer

432 EHD reported cases from 49 counties so far in 2018

SPRINGFIELD, IL – As of October 29, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has received reports of 432 suspected cases of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in white-tailed deer so far in 2018.

EHD appears to be at low to moderate levels in counties on or near the Illinois River, extending from Schuyler County to the southwest through Bureau County to the northeast. Peoria County has had the worst of it with 77 cases, followed closely by Fulton County with 71 cases.

4th Round of Archery Deer Hunting Harvest Numbers above Last Year

The preliminary numbers for the 4th week of the archery deer harvest are out and the numbers are still ahead of last years numbers.   Bucks are on the move, 47% of the deer shot in the last week were bucks.  Also, 60% of the deer harvested this year have been by compound, 39% by crossbows and 1% by traditional bows.   You can read the full report from the IDNR as well as the county by county comparison below. 

This buck was shot last year here here in Illinois by our friend Jason. 

Round 3 Archery Numbers Shows Increase for Illinois Deer Harvest

Harvest for archery deer hunters jumped this week and the highest daily harvest to date was on Sunday. With 2,156 more deer harvested than this time last year, hunters are optimistic about the rut and its offerings.  As you can see more doe have been taken, but that's all about to change in the coming weeks.   If you were out this weekend trout fishing, duck hunting, or out deer hunting you can understand.  The cold definitely had the deer moving.  Below you'll see the link to county by county comparison.

Check out this Illinois monster taken by follower and supporter Travis Brown.  

1st Week of Archery Season Along with Youth Season Shows Reduction

Its that time of the year again.  Deer numbers will be coming out each week and you can catch those here at Capitol Outdoors. Totals for the first week of the season are down by 2,367, but we feel that the majority of that is due to the warm weather and rains throughout the state during the first week of October.  The harvest consisted of 70% does and 30% males and this will only level out as we get closer to the rut.

Special Firearm Deer Hunt for Persons with Disabilities at Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area on Nov. 8 and 9

Special Firearm Deer Hunt for Persons with Disabilities at Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area on Nov. 8 and 9

Hunters can apply through October 19

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will host a new firearm deer hunt for persons with disabilities on November 8 and 9 at Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area in Henry Co.

Archery Harvest Restrictions for Champaign, Douglas, Macon, Moultrie and Piatt Counties for First 15 Days

Reported first on Capitol Outdoors back in January at the 1st Quarter NRAB meeting, the IDNR is prohibiting the archery harvesting of antlerless deer for the 2018 - 2019 season.  "Antlered deer; are deer that have at least one antler that is three or more inches in length."  During the first 15 days of the season archery hunters in Champaign, Douglas, Macon, Moultrie and Piatt counties will not be allowed to harvest anterless deer.  This regulation is being implemented to grow the deer herd in these counties since numbers have dropped below current adopted goals for those counties.  Please see below for the official press release from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  

IDNR Prohibiting Archery Harvest of Antlerless Deer Oct. 1-15 in Five East-Central Illinois Counties

Intended to Help Boost Deer Herd in Champaign, Douglas, Macon, Moultrie and Piatt Counties

IDNR Wants You to Report Suspected Cases of EHD in Deer

Many of you may have seen my post on Instagram where while fishing I came across a deer floating in the water.  I wasn't sure if it died by drowning or by EHD.  I remembered each year that these reports come out regarding Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease.  I did what we all should do, I emailed the IDNR about a possible case and I've yet to be contacted.  As of today (9-19-2018)  the deer carcus is still in the water.  

This is the deer I came across at Jim Edgar Panther Creek. 

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Public Informational Meetings are Scheduled throughout Illinois

Today, you can look up just about anything on the internet and find almost anything about everything.  The problem is that this cyclone of information that is thrown at you on a daily basis, may not even be true.  Many people take to the internet hoping to find the most up to date information on a topic and sometimes get sucked into this web of rants, lies and misinformation.  As sportsmen and women we have to do better, we must do better.  Issues like CWD have taken over Facebook groups and forums, where people are leaving comments with information that they believe to be true.  Unfortunately, many people do not have all the facts.  Being an active member of the outdoor community, attending events like the one below, allows us as hunters, anglers and outdoors men and women, to be the voice for the outdoors, to stand up and discuss our opinions and concerns related to various topics including CWD.

Below you'll see some opportunities to learn more about CWD and the concern the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and other agencies have.  We will be attending this event and we hope to see many of you there.

Illinois Recreational Access Program Announces Applications for Archery Deer Hunting

Does the acronym IRAP sounds familiar? There has been a lot of talk this year from Illinois Recreational Access Program administrators (IRAP).  IRAP provides grounds that allows youth and adults to hunt deer, waterfowl, turkey and more.  Below you'll see information on IRAP, as well as the process for applying for archery deer hunting on IRAP grounds.  If you would like to know more about IRAP,  Capitol Outdoors attended a press conference where Congressman Rodney Davis, Director Wayne Rosenthal and many others discuss the funding of the Farm Bill and the importance of CRP and the IRAP program.  Watch it here!

IDNR IRAP Program Accepting Applications for Archery Deer Hunting on Private Property

Information Regarding Youth Firearm Deer Season at Jim Edgar Panther Creek

You hear it all the time from non-profits, agencies and others, we need to get youth involved in hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities.  Here is another good event.  A total of 75 youth hunters will have the privilege of shotgun hunting Jim Edgar Panther Creek October 6 - 8.  Not only is it a good opportunity for youth to get involved, but it's on some of the best public hunting in Illinois.  If you have a youth that is interested, make sure to follow the instructions below.  Since, this weekend is also the first weekend of the archery season, hunters may have to rearrange a few things as archery hunters will NOT be allowed to hunt in the Open Units. 

Apply Now for Youth Firearm Deer Season at Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area

Youth season is a great opportunity to get youth the experience in the outdoors.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources to Host Public Meetings for Proposed Archery Deer Restrictions in Five Eastern Illinois Counties

Back in January, the Natural Resources Advisory Board (NRAB) discussed the possibility of archery restrictions in Champaign, Douglas, Macon, Moultrie and Piatt counties.  If you archery deer hunt in any of these counties, please consider attending one of the informational meetings.  Your voice deserves to be heard in regards to this issue.

Press Release from DNR:

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) invites deer hunters, landowners, and others interested in deer management to attend public meetings regarding potential changes in archery deer hunting regulations in five eastern Illinois counties. The IDNR Division of Wildlife Resources will host the public open house meetings to provide information about the status of deer populations in the affected counties, and to accept comments on a number of alternative management options intended to boost deer populations in Champaign, Douglas, Macon, Moultrie and Piatt counties. Most of these options would require changes to the archery regulations that have been in effect for the past several years. No formal presentation is planned; attendees can stop by at any time during the open house meetings to view informational materials and talk one-on-one to IDNR biologists.

Two public open house meetings are scheduled: 
June 12, 2018, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Forbes Natural History Building (University of Illinois campus) conference room
1816 South Oak Street Champaign, IL 61820

June 14, 2018, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Rock Springs Nature Center auditorium
3939 Nearing Lake, Decatur 62521

Unless there is significant opposition to growing deer herds to currently-adopted county goals, the IDNR would propose changes to the archery deer regulations for the five counties this summer through the State of Illinois’ administrative rules process. Depending on when any regulation changes are approved by the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR), they could go into effect for the upcoming 2018 Archery Deer Season, or they may have to wait until the 2019 season.

Beaver Dam and Horseshoe Lake Archery Application Due at the end of March

While many of us are thinking about trout fishing or hitting the hiking trail, archery deer hunters who wish to hunt at Beaver Dam or Horseshoe Lake need to think about the upcoming season.  Applications are due at the end of March, so don't delay.  This is a great opportunity.  

Archery Deer Applications for Beaver Dam/Horseshoe Lake

PLAINVIEW, IL – Archery deer hunting applications are available through March 30 for the special drawings at Beaver Dam State Park, Carlinville, and through March 31 for the special drawings at Horseshoe Lake State Park, Granite City for the 2018-19 Illinois Archery Deer Hunting Season. Hunters can obtain an application either online or from park offices to apply. Site-specific applications will offer nine weekly intervals at Horseshoe Lake State Park and 11 weekly intervals at Beaver Dam State Park. Applicants must prioritize their hunting weeks and will be selected randomly in a lottery drawing.

Suspected EHD Cases in Deer at Low to Moderate Level in 2017

You may remember that the IDNR ask hunters and landowners to report suspected EHD cases. This year was no exception. Today the IDNR released the following press release.

Suspected EHD Cases in Deer at Low to Moderate Level in 2017

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Suspected EHD (Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease) cases were reported again in Illinois in 2017, but in low to moderate levels. A total of 66 reports were received from concerned landowners and hunters totaling 169 deer from 32 counties, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). In comparison, 2012 was the worst year for EHD in Illinois with 2,968 dead deer reported to IDNR from 87 counties.

 

Information in this article has been provided by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources

2017 -2018 Preliminary Numbers for Illinois Deer Season

The Illinois DNR released their preliminary numbers which concludes the 2017 -2018 Illinois Whitetail Season.   This year, hunters harvested 147,535 during ALL of the seasons, an increase in 3,232 from the 2016 - 2017 season.  The only decline in numbers were during the youth season, a drop of about 1,100.

If you're wondering specifics on the crossbow numberswe'll have more information coming to you later.

Illinois’ 2017-18 Deer Seasons Conclude with Preliminary Harvest of 147,535 Deer

Same Ole Same Ole for Round 9 - That's a Good Thing

Round 9 of the Illinois archery harvest numbers show more of the same.  For pretty much the entire deer season, excluding firearm and muzzleloader, the harvest has been up compared to 2016.  The question is, why this year?  Could it be the lack of blue tongue this year, which had more deer in the field?  Could it be the crossbows?  Or could it be a rebound of the deer herd or just the weather in general?  It's hard to say what played a part in the increase, but by the end of the late winter season we'll sure find out.