Marion County hunters bagged 1,202 deer during the first shotgun deer hunting season. That’s up 16 deer from last year and 204 more than the first season two years ago.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources reports statewide 53,348 deer were taken during the first shotgun hunting weekend November 17th through the 19th. That was up 994 deer from last year.
The second and final shotgun deer hunting season opened Thursday morning and continues through dusk Sunday night.
Jefferson County hunters bagged 1,286 deer, up 37 from last year. Fayette County hunters brought in 1,166 deer, a drop of 18 from 2023. Clay County hunters had a much better first season, bringing in 1,007 deer compared to 889 last year. Clinton County hunters bagged 588 deer, a drop of 18. Washington County hunters brought in 747 deer, a drop of 24. Wayne County hunters took 938 deer, a drop of 80 from 2023.
After the shotgun deer hunting season ends on Sunday, archery deer season will reopen until January 14th. A muzzleloader only season is set for December 8th through the 10th.
