Firearms deer harvest up slightly

Disease apparently didn’t have much of an impact on deer
harvests in the state – at least not during the recently-completed
firearms season.

A total of 116,708 deer were taken during the two firearm
hunting seasons (85,490 in the first weekend and 31,218 in the
second).

Last year, hunters took a total of 115,192 during the firearms
seasons.

Once again Pike County was tops, as 3,732 deer were taken there
during the two seasons. Other top county harvest totals were
Jefferson (2,805), Adams (2,791), Fulton (2,671), and JoDaviess
(2,662).

Didn’t fill your tag? No to worry.

The three-day statewide muzzleloader-only season runs Friday
through Sunday. while the Late Winter Firearm Antlerless-only Deer
Season is Jan. 18-20. For those with bows, the statewide archery
deer hunting season continues through Jan. 17.

Meanwhile, I’d love to hear about your experiences during the
firearms seasons. E-mail me at ralph@outdoornews.com