Macoupin County Leads Deer Harvest Totals In Region In First Firearm Season

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 51,409 deer during the first weekend of the Illinois firearm deer season, held Nov. 21-23, according to data released by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Macoupin County led the region with 1,110 deer taken, followed by St. Clair County with 595 harvested, Greene County with 587, and Madison County with 520.

These numbers reflect a slight decrease compared to the first weekend of the 2024 season, when hunters harvested 54,661 deer statewide, and the 2023 total of 53,348.

Many experienced hunters believe that a 10- to 20-degree drop in temperature, or a cold front, encourages deer to move more frequently, especially during early morning and evening hours. Therefore, warmer conditions likely meant less overall deer movement and fewer opportunities for hunters.

Other counties reported varying harvest totals: Calhoun County recorded 406 deer compared to 499 in 2024; Madison County had 520 compared to 549 last year; Macoupin County’s harvest dropped from 1,200 in 2024 to 1,110 in 2025; Greene County decreased from 660 to 587; Jersey County went from 475 to 409; and St. Clair County remained steady with 595 deer harvested in both years.

The seven-day firearm deer season in Illinois will conclude Dec. 4-7. This year marks the first time that youth hunters with an unfilled, valid youth deer permit may participate in both segments of the firearm deer season. The youth hunt will take place during the upcoming firearm season dates.

Additional hunting opportunities include a muzzleloader-only deer season from Dec. 12-14, as well as late-winter antlerless-only and chronic wasting disease seasons in select counties from Jan. 1-4 and Jan. 16-18. The archery deer season continues through Jan. 18 but will be closed Dec. 4-7 in counties open for firearm hunting.

For more information on deer hunting regulations and seasons, hunters are encouraged to visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website.

Preliminary firearm deer harvest totals for the first weekend of the 2025 season show fluctuations across counties compared to 2024 and 2023. For example, Adams County saw 1,232 deer harvested in 2025, down from 1,414 in 2024 and 1,423 in 2023. Other notable figures include Randolph County with 1,363 deer harvested in 2025, down from 1,565 in 2024 and 1,506 in 2023, and Wayne County with 1,097 harvested in 2025, compared to 1,113 in 2024 and 938 in 2023.

The full table of preliminary harvest totals by county reflects ongoing trends in deer populations and hunter participation across the state.

Other deer hunting opportunities in the weeks ahead include:

• Muzzleloader-only deer season Dec. 12-14.
• Late-winter antlerless-only and chronic wasting disease deer seasons in select counties only, Jan. 1-4 and Jan. 16-18.
• Archery deer season continues through Jan. 18. Please note that archery deer hunting is closed Dec. 4-7 in counties open for firearm deer season.

Visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources online for more details about deer hunting.

A table of preliminary Illinois firearm deer harvest totals by county for the first weekend of the 2025 season, and comparable totals for 2024 and 2023 follows.

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