Illinois and Missouri hunters have reported their current harvest totals for this year’s deer season, with Illinois showing a slight increase and Missouri experiencing a notable decline compared to previous years.
Illinois hunters harvested 54,661 deer, up from 53,348 last year. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources highlighted steady numbers across the state, with counties like Rock Island and Knox maintaining consistent participation.
In Missouri, hunters harvested 159,120 deer, a drop from 193,885 last year and about 15% below the five-year average. The Missouri Department of Conservation attributed the decline to several factors, including a later season start, uncooperative weather conditions, and a bumper acorn crop that limited deer movement. The hardest-hit areas were in heavily forested Ozark counties, where the abundance of food reduced the visibility of deer. Top harvest totals in the state were recorded in Franklin, Texas, and Howell counties.
Hunters still have multiple opportunities with additional portions of the firearm and archery seasons continuing into January.
