Deer Harvest Declines in Morgan County, Statewide Totals Slightly Down

Firearm deer season in Illinois closed on December 7 with a preliminary statewide harvest of 81,225 deer, a decrease of 1,271 animals or about 1.5 percent from the 82,496 reported in 2024. The two weekends of the seven day season split into a first weekend total of 51,409 harvested deer during November 21 through 23, and a second weekend preliminary total of 29,816 for December 4 through 7. The second weekend exceeded last year for the same period, when 27,835 deer were taken.

County level totals showed shifting concentrations of harvests. Jefferson County led the weekend with 2,185 deer, followed closely by Randolph County with 2,183 and Adams County with 2,094. Morgan County hunters brought in 672 deer for the season, 34 fewer than in 2024, representing a roughly five percent decline from last year. That local drop stands out against the statewide pattern of a small overall decline alongside a stronger second weekend.

For Morgan County residents the numbers have several practical implications. A lower harvest can reflect changes in local deer abundance, hunter participation, or weather and access conditions during the season. Those shifts affect venison availability for local food banks and household consumption, the volume of hunting related spending at bait shops and service businesses, and the level of deer related crop damage faced by farmers. The harvest results also feed into wildlife management decisions at the state level, including planning for targeted late winter and disease control seasons.

State wildlife officials announced remaining deer hunting opportunities for 2025 and 2026 that are relevant to Morgan County hunters. Late winter antlerless only and chronic wasting disease seasons in designated counties will be held January 1 through 4 and January 16 through 18. Archery season continues statewide through January 18, offering additional opportunities to take deer before the winter closes. As agencies monitor harvest data and disease indicators, local hunters and landowners will be watching whether these follow up seasons change the season total or reveal emerging trends in population or health.