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 

Illinois Laws regarding Hunting and Fishing that are effective January 1, 2016

Illinois Laws regarding Hunting and Fishing that are effective January 1, 2016

Last year we brought you a list of 2014 laws that would become effective in 2015 .  Currently there are over 4,000 bills that have been introduced in the 99th General Assembly.  Here are the pieces of legislation that were signed by Governor Bruce Rauner and will become effective January 1, 2016.

Youth Hunters: Register Now for Pere Marquette Controlled Pheasant Hunt and Wingshooting Clinic

Youth Hunters: Register Now for Pere Marquette Controlled Pheasant Hunt and Wingshooting Clinic

If your youngster is interested in upland game hunting or has never been on a pheasant hunt, the Pere Marquette State Park is holding a wingshooting clinic and controlled pheasant hunt on March 5, 2016.  These types of opportunities help youngsters become involved and interested in the outdoors.

GRAFTON, IL – Young hunters between the ages of 10-15 can apply now for the Pere Marquette Youth Wingshooting Clinic and Pheasant Hunt scheduled for Saturday, March 5, 2016 at Pere Marquette State Park in Jersey Co.

Illinois Muzzleloader Season Totals Show Decrease

llinois Muzzleloader Season Totals Show Decrease

Illinois' Muzzleloader Season showed a decrease in deer harvested compared to last year. This is the first time this year in which harvest reports showed a decrease from last year.  That includes the shotgun and bow seasons to date.  Its hard to tell if this weather has had something to do with this particular decrease or if shotgun season picked up the slack this year.  One thing is forsure there's a lot of people that are watching these numbers commenting and post their disbelief.

"The totals from the Muzzleloader Season held Dec. 11-13. Hunters took 2,375 deer, compared to 3,444 in 2014. Harvest sex ratios were 52% female to 48% male (1,239 female:1,136 male). "