Preliminary Numbers for Illinois Muzzleloader Deer Season

Preliminary Numbers for Illinois Muzzleloader Deer Season

Below you'll find the preliminary numbers for the Illinois muzzleloader deer season.  The table contains county preliminary harvest totals from the 2016 Illinois Muzzleloader-only Deer Season (12/9-12/11).

Illinois Seven Day Firearm Preliminary Harvest Numbers

Illinois Seven Day Firearm Preliminary Harvest Numbers

Wow... big drop in harvest numbers for the seven day firearm season.   With a difference of about 6,400 and deer numbers are down in archery as well.  Makes you wonder what the strategy will be for the IDNR biologist.

Hunters in Illinois Harvest Preliminary Total of 79,429 Deer During Seven-Day Firearm Season 

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Hunters harvested a preliminary total of 79,429 deer during the seven-day Illinois Firearm Deer Season that closed on Sunday, Dec. 4. That figure compares to the final total of 86,847 deer harvested during the seven days of the firearm season in 2015.

The preliminary harvest for the second segment of the firearm season on Dec. 1-4 totaled 24,977, compared with 28,977 during the second season in 2015. The preliminary harvest total for the first segment of firearm season on Nov. 18-20 was 54,452 deer, compared with the 57,870 deer taken by hunters during the first season in 2015.

Deer hunting opportunities remain available in Illinois this late fall/early winter:

• The Illinois Muzzleloader-only Season is this weekend, Dec. 9-11. 
• The Late-Winter Antlerless-Only Season and CWD Deer Season first segments (in designated counties only) will be Dec. 29, 2016 through Jan. 1, 2017. 
• The second segments of the Late-Winter Antlerless-Only and CWD Deer Seasons (in designated counties only) will be Jan. 13-15, 2017. 
• Archery Deer Season continues through Jan. 15, 2017. Details on the Late-Winter and CWD seasons are available on the IDNR website at:http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Documents/Late-WinterSHAHuntingPermitInformation.pdf

For more deer hunting information, visit: https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/DeerHunting.aspxA table of preliminary Firearm Deer Season harvest numbers for 2016, broken down by county and compared with 2015, is below.

Archery Deer Numbers To Date

Archery Deer Numbers To Date

Archery Deer Numbers are out and there are no big suprises. Numbers are still down from this time last year. It will be interesting to see the numbers for second shotgun season.

Shotgun Deer Harvest Numbers Down After First Season

Shotgun Deer Harvest Numbers Down After First Season

With the first real cold snap and that rut in full swing it's hard to believe that the 2016 Shotgun Deer Harvest Numbers are Down After the First Season. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources informed hunters that the November 18th - 20th shotgun season harvested a total of 54,452. Compare that to the 57,870 shot during the first season last year.  To make it easy on you that's a difference of 3,418.

Illinois Hunting, Fishing & Outdoor Expos 2017

Illinois Hunting, Fishing & Outdoor Expos 2017

Expo season is right around the corner and we will be attending many of the expos around the State of Illinois. 

If you know of an outdoor show in your area, let us know about it! Capitol Outdoors is available to speak at your event!

- Let’s Go Fishing Show
Collinsville, Illinois
Jan. 6-8th 2017


-Chicago Muskie Expo
Chicago, Illinois
Jan. 6-8th 2017

- Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show
Chicago, Illinois
Jan. 11-15th 2017

- All-Canada Show
St. Charles, Illinois
Jan. 12-15th 2017

- Chicago Outdoor Sports Show
Rosemont, Illinois
Jan. 19-22nd 2017

-Chicagoland Gunshow
Rosemont, Illinois
Jan, 19-22nd 2017

-Illinois Fish & Feather Expo
Bloomington, Illinois
Jan. 27-29th 2017

-Chicagoland Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo
Schaumburg, Illinois
Jan. 26-29th  2017

-Tinley Park Fishing Big Show 
Tinley Park,Illinois
Feb. 11-12th 2017

-Rockford Boat, Vacation & Fishing Show
Rockford, Illinois
Feb. 17-19th 2017

-Central Illinois Outdoor Expo
Arthur, Illinois
February 10-11th 2017

- The QCCA Expo Center Outdoor Show
Rock Island, Illinois

Feb. 16-19th 2017

-Pheasant Fest (National)
Minneapolis
Feb 17-19th 2017

-Indiana Deer, Turkey & Waterfowl Expo
Indiana State Fairgrounds
Feb. 23-26th 2017

-Elmwood All Outdoors Show
Elmwood High School
March 4-5th 2017

-Ducks Unlimited National Convention
May 31 - June 4th 2017
San Antonio, Texas

-Spring Valley Outdoors Expo
Spring Valley, IL
TBD

-Midwest Hunt Fest
Wichita, Kansas
TBD

-ICAST 2017
Orlando, Florida
July 11-14th 2017

-Illinois Deer & Turkey Expo
Peoria, Illinois
July 28 - 30th 2017

-Northern Illinois Hunting & Fishing Days 
Silver Springs State Park, Yorkville Illinois
TBD

-Southern Illinois Hunting & Fishing Days 
Carterville, Illinois
TBD

More shows and dates will be added as they become available. 

Email us if you would like something on this list. 

Buck Percentage Increase with Latest Preliminary Harvest Numbers

Buck Percentage Increase with Latest Preliminary Harvest Numbers

The archery harvest numbers are out.  The preliminary data was collected through November 13, 2016.  It's easy to see that the rut is on with the increase in harvested bucks.  Plus this little cold snap we had this past weekend didn't hurt.  The below information was provided by Paul Shelton, Manager of Forest Wildlife Program.

Illinois Shotgun Deer Hunting Reminders and CWD Check-ins Locations

Illinois Shotgun Deer Hunting Reminders & CWD Check-in Locations

This cool weather has shotgun deer hunters licking their lips.  The Illinois Department of Natural Resources wanted to remind where and how to check in their harvested deer.  Pay attention to the counties below for CWD testing.  

Illinois’ most popular hunting season, the seven-day firearm deer season, begins on Friday through Sunday, Nov. 18-20, and will conclude on Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 1-4. 

Increase in Fourth Round Preliminary Archery Deer Harvests

Increase in Fourth Round Preliminary Archery Deer Harvests

The fourth round of the Archery Deer Permit numbers are out.  Paul Shelton Forest Wildlife Program released preliminary totals through Sunday, November 6, 2016.  Could the slightly cooler temperatures play a roll in the jump?  Note this week the increase in buck to doe ration!!!

Third Round of Numbers Out, Deer Numbers Still Down

Third Round of Numbers Out, Deer Numbers Still Down

The third round of preliminary numbers for the archery deer season just arrived and the numbers are still off from last year.  Could this be because of the another October warm trend? What are you seeing?

Deer Numbers Still Down but Season is Far from Over

Deer Numbers Still Down but Season is Far from Over

Paul Shelton, Forest Wildlife Program Manger for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources released the second preliminary numbers regarding harvest numbers.  In short, numbers are down from this time last year.  You can read the first preliminary report  Deer Numbers Down at Beginning of 2016 Season.

Deer Harvest Numbers Down at the Beginning of 2016 Season

Deer Harvest Numbers Down at the Beginning of 2016 Season 

Deer numbers are down compared to this time last year !

From October 1, 2016 to October 12, 2016 archery deer hunters in Illinois took 6,235 whitetail deer.  This is 2,633 fewer deer then this time last year.  Below you'll see a county by county break down comparing 2015 to 2016.  Top counties included Adams, Jefferson, JoDaviess and Pike.  71% of those deer harvested were does and 29% bucks.

Hunters, Landowners Encouraged to Report Suspected Cases of EHD

Hunters, Landowners Encouraged to Report Suspected Cases of EHD

IDNR has received EHD reports from 9 Counties so far in 2016

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has received reports of 53 suspected cases of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) so far in 2016. EHD appears to be more prevalent in east-central and northeastern Illinois counties, including Cook, Lake and Vermilion counties where tests have confirmed the presence of the disease and 40 cases have been reported. In all, reports have come from nine counties (see map at the link below).

IDNR to Conduct Chronic Wasting Disease Public Information Meetings

IDNR to Conduct Chronic Wasting Disease Public Information Meetings

From the Illinois Department of Natural Resources press office.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has scheduled a series of public meetings to provide information about chronic wasting disease (CWD), its effect on future deer populations, and IDNR’s efforts to control the disease. IDNR staff will also be available to answer questions about the disease. Landowners, hunters, and concerned citizens are encouraged to attend. CWD is an important issue that will dominate deer management discussions in northern Illinois for many years.

IRAP has Archery Deer Hunting Sites Available on Private Land

IRAP has Archery Deer Hunting Sites Available on Private Land

Apply by August 30 to hunt in October

Here is a great opportunity for archery deer hunters.  This is from the IDNR Press Office in Springfield.  

Don’t have a place to archery deer hunt but would like to go hunting this October? Look no further than the Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP), the popular Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) program linking outdoors enthusiasts with landowners.

IWA President Kevin Chapman Talks Deer Changes in 2016

IWA President Kevin Chapman Talks Deer Changes in 2016

Deer Season Changes?
By : Kevin Chapman

Illinois Whitetail Alliance President Kevin Chapman wrote an article about 2016 season changes.  While this article was directed toward a different outdoor resources, Kevin has allowed Capitol Outdoors to post this to spread the IWA (Illinois Whitetail Alliance) message and challenges regarding the Illinois Deer herd. 

The legislative session was pretty quiet for a change. And honestly… I think a lot of people are simply tired of hearing about the same deer management issues over and over.

As the 2016 season gets closer, we still don’t have the deer-vehicle accident (DVA) statistics from last year. Last I heard from IDOT, it would be sometime in August before that data is finalized. This is the main source of data used to estimate deer densities at the county level, and determines county management plans.

With that being said… once again, I don’t anticipate any big changes in terms of managing towards these county-specific DVA goals. Firearm permit quotas have been set, we’ve been through several lotteries, and I’m sure the hunting digest is close to complete.

(SB 2788) Bill Would Allow Youth to Transfer Deer Tags to Adults

Bill Would Allow Youth to Transfer Deer Tags to Adults

Senator Neil Anderson (Republican, Moline, Illinois) introduced SB 2788 on February 17, 2016.  

SB 2788 WILDLIFE-DEER TAGS

Amends the Wildlife Code: Provides that anyone filling a deer tag who has a Youth Hunting License may transfer the tag to the accompanying adult hunter if the youth is present at the time the tag is filled by the adult. Removes the prohibition on transferring deer tags in compliance with the youth hunting provision.

Continue to check back with Capitol Outdoors as we monitor this and other bills for you.

Illinois Deer Hunters Harvest Preliminary Total of 155,131 Deer During 2015-2016 Seasons Deer Hunting Seasons Closed January 17

Illinois Deer Hunters Harvest Preliminary Total of 155,131 Deer During 2015-2016 Seasons

Deer Hunting Seasons Closed January 17

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources released their preliminary totals for the 2015 - 2016 season.  Those participating in deer harvest took a total of 155,131 compared to the 145,720 in 2014 -2015 season.  This is an increase of about 6.5%.  The Missouri Department of Conservation also released their totals. 

A reminder for late-winter/CWD hunters that would like to have their deer tested:

Watching this deer at Banner Marsh in Fulton County. 

A reminder for late-winter/CWD hunters that would like to have their deer tested:

Capitol Outdoors received the information below from Chris Young, the Communicatigon Director at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  

Late-Winter/CWD Deer Season Reminder: Hunters are reminded that the Late-Winter Antlerless-only and Special CWD deer hunting seasons conclude on Jan. 15-17. There will be 27 counties open for Late-Winter season and 14 counties open for the Special CWD season. Hunters should check the information page on the IDNR website to make sure the county they intend to hunt is open for the Late-Winter or Special CWD season: http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Documents/Late-WinterSHAHuntingPermitInformation.pdf

Late season deer hunters are encouraged to have adult animals sampled for Chronic Wasting Disease at the nearest available facility. Each hunter-killed animal sampled from CWD zones contributes to the removal goal established for each. A list of cooperating vendors and voluntary drop-off points can be found at this location on our website:

http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/programs/CWD/Documents/CWDSamplingLocations.pdf

(HB 4428) Bow Hunting on Private Property during Shotgun Season for Deer in Illinois

Bow Hunting on Private Property during Shotgun Season for Deer in Illinois

That's right.  A new bill was introduced by Brandon Phelps, Chairman of the Illinois Sportsmen's Caucus.  The bill was filed with the clerk on January 11, 2016.  We'll continue to monitor this bill, check back frequently for more information.

 HB 4428 WILDLIFE-BOW HUNTING

"Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that a person may hunt with a bow and arrow on private property during a shotgun hunting season if he or she has the consent of the owner and any tenant of the premises."  

If passed by the senate and signed by the Governor this bill will become effective immediately.

Continue to check back with Capitol Outdoors as we monitor this and other bills for you.

LATE WINTER DEER SEASON/SPECIAL CWD DEER SEASON – PRELIMINARY HARVEST RESULTS

LATE WINTER DEER SEASON/SPECIAL CWD DEER SEASON – PRELIMINARY HARVEST RESULTS

 

For the first four-day period (December 31, 2015-January 3, 2016) of the Late Winter Antlerless Deer Season and the Special CWD Deer Season, Illinois deer hunters harvested a preliminary total of 3,939 deer, compared to 2,981 for the same period in 2014-2015.  The number of counties open to the Late Winter Season was 27 (down from 35 in 2014-2015), while 14 northern Illinois counties were open to the Special CWD Season (compared to 12 in 2014-2015). 

Top five counties (including both Late Winter and CWD seasons) were JoDaviess (306), Fulton (294), Pike (233), Schuyler (188), and Brown (186).  A table of county results is attached.

ARCHERY DEER PRELIMINARY HARVEST RESULTS

Through Sunday, January 3, 2016, Illinois archery deer hunters harvested a preliminary total of 53,373deer, compared to 53,188 for the same period in 2014-2015. 

Harvest  to date has consisted of 47% does and 53% males (25,181:28,192), while 45% percent of the harvest has been antlered bucks (23,841).   Top five counties are currently Pike (1,995), Fulton (1,526), Jefferson (1,190),  Adams (1,135), and JoDaviess (1,051).   A table of county results is attached.

Up-to-date archery harvest figures (for either deer or turkey) by county/state sites can be tracked on the web at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/IDNRHarvestQuery.aspx

Information provided by Paul Shelton, Manager of Forest Wildlife Program and The Illinois Department of Natural Resources