Monday, November 5, 2018

5th Round of Archery Season Harvest Shows Buck Increase

The preliminary numbers for the archery harvest totals are out and they are still above from last year, the difference of 682.  The rut is right around the corner, or in some of the circles I've been talking to their seeing bucks chase.  I can believe it, 61% of the harvest in the last 7 days were bucks.   Over all, more does have been harvested but, I think you'll see those numbers change here in the coming weeks.  Also, the orange army is coming.  Below you'll the report from the IDNR along with the county by county numbers. 
Here you can see two proud Illinois hunters.  Congrats to Gavin and Chase for their harvest! 

Friday, November 2, 2018

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.

Illinois Archery Turkey Harvest Numbers See Slight Increase

In the hunting, fishing and outdoor community there are so many niches.  Many of those cross, such has hunting and fishing in general.  However, there are those that specifically only hunt deer or in this case turkey.  While some of these may have been harvested through a deer hunt, it's great to see a healthy turkey population.  One of America's most successful conservation stories.

The preliminary numbers are out for the fall turkey.  Below you'll see that the numbers are up slightly but, the number that has me smiling is the consistency of the numbers over the five year average.  If you're interested you can check the county by county numbers HERE.


Through Wednesday, October 31, 2018, Illinois archery turkey hunters harvested a preliminary total of 348 turkeys, compared to 325 for the same period in 2017. The 5-year average harvest total for this time period is 316. 
The top counties for harvest were Cass (12), Jefferson (11), Pike (10), Macoupin (10), Lasalle (10), and Jackson (10). 
Harvest has consisted of 62% hens and 38% toms (205:127) 
(The Fall Archery Turkey Season opened on Oct. 1, 2018 and continues through Jan. 20, 2019)