Hunters across Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 81,225 deer during the seven-day 2025 firearm deer season, which ended December 7.

The total is slightly lower than the 82,496 deer taken during the 2024 season. During the second weekend of the 2025 season, from December 4 through December 7, hunters harvested 29,816 deer — an increase from the 27,835 deer taken during the same period last year.

During the first weekend of the season, November 21 through 23, hunters harvested 51,409 deer statewide.

Additional deer hunting opportunities remain for the 2025–2026 season, including late-winter antlerless-only and chronic wasting disease seasons. Those hunts will be held in designated counties January 1–4 and January 16–18.

The archery deer season remains open through January 18. More information on deer hunting seasons and regulations in Illinois is available online.