98,700 deer harvested during firearm season Union County total: 1,680

Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 98,700 deer during the seven-day firearm deer season which was Nov. 19-21 and Dec. 2-5, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, IDNR, reports.

A total of 99,419 deer were taken during the 2009 firearm season.

The preliminary second-season (Dec. 2-5) harvest total was 30,663, compared with the 33,293 deer taken by hunters during the second segment of the season in 2009. 

This year’s preliminary first-season (Nov. 19-22) deer harvest was 68,037, compared with a first-season harvest of 66,126 in 2009. 

In Union County, hunters killed 518 deer in the second season and 1,162 in the first season, for a total of 1,680.

This year's harvest total in the county was down from the 1,761 recorded in 2009.

Harvest totals for other area counties follow:

Alexander County: 296 in 2010 first season, 214 in 2010 second season, 510 total for 2010. 2009 harvest: 560.

Jackson County: 1,502 in 2010 first season, 677 in 2010 second season, 2,179 total for 2010. 2009 harvest: 2,153.

Johnson County: 1,202 in 2010 first season, 502 in 2010 second season, 1,704 total for 2010. 2009 harvest: 1,771.

Massac County: 402 in 2010 first season, 282 in 2010 second season, 684 total of 2010. 2009 harvest: 657.

Pulaski County: 466 in 2010 first season, 292 in 2010 second season, 758 total for 2010. 2009 harvest: 724.

Williamson County: 1,110 in 2010 first season, 554 in 2010 second season, 1,664 total for 2010. 2009 harvest: 1,625.

The preliminary statewide harvest totals include deer taken in all counties in which firearm deer hunting is permitted, as well as at Chain O’Lakes State Park in Lake County.

“Harvest results for this year’s firearm deer seasons were remarkably similar to last year,” said IDNR forest wildlife program manager Paul Shelton. 

“Fifty-one counties saw increases in harvest, while 49 counties declined.  Management efforts aimed at controlling deer herds while maintaining recreational opportunities are paying off.”

Preliminary reports show that Pike County once again topped the county deer harvest totals for the firearm season as hunters took 3,130 deer. 

Other top county harvest totals were Fulton (2,495), Adams (2,468), Jo Daviess (2,285) and Randolph (2,192).

Deer hunters in Illinois still have opportunities to take to the field in the coming weeks. 

The archery deer season continues through Jan. 16, 2011. 

The seven-day split late-winter firearm antlerless-only deer season and special CWD deer season are Dec. 30, 2010, through Jan. 2, 2011, and Jan. 14-16, 2011.

Permits for both late-winter and special CWD seasons were set to become available over the counter through DNR Direct license and permit agents beginning Dec. 14.

Permits for the late-winter season will be issued in two categories based on deer management needs in individual counties.

For 12 select counties with a need for significant increases in deer harvest, hunters will be able to purchase late-winter permits without limit. 

In 58 other counties open for the late-winter season, hunters will be limited to purchasing one late-winter deer permit. 

There are 27 counties closed for the late-winter season.

As in years past, unfilled 2010 firearm, muzzleloader, youth and landowner firearm permits will be valid for the late-winter season provided that they were issued for an open county, but only antlerless deer may be taken. 

For more information, visit <a href="http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/ResidentLateWinterAntlerlessDe...">http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/ResidentLateWinterAntlerlessDe.... </a>

Successful hunters should report their harvest by 10 p.m. on the same calendar day the deer was taken by calling 1-866-452-4325 (1-866-ILCHECK) or by accessing the online check-in system at <a href="http://www.dnr.state.il.us/vcheck">www.dnr.state.il.us/vcheck</a>.


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