Springfield, IL – Illinois hunters harvested over 54,000 deer during the first weekend of the 2024 firearm deer season, running Nov. 22-24. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) reported 54,661 deer taken, surpassing the 53,348 and 52,354 harvested during the same weekend in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The seven-day firearm season will resume Dec. 5-8. Additional opportunities include a muzzleloader-only season from Dec. 13-15 and late-winter antlerless and chronic wasting disease hunts in select counties from Dec. 26-29 and Jan. 17-19. Archery deer hunting remains open through Jan. 19, except during firearm season in counties where it is active.
According to IDNR, Randolph County led with 1,565 deer harvested, followed by Jackson (1,355) and Jefferson (1,406). Overall, participation indicates a thriving hunting tradition in Illinois.
For detailed county-specific harvest totals and hunting regulations, visit the IDNR website. As the season continues, hunters are reminded to prioritize safety and comply with local guidelines.
