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Illinois DNR’s Deer Report gives insight into 2024-25 season

A decade ago, during the 2015-16 season, crossbows accounted for only 14% of the archery harvest in Illinois. That's changed, with crossbows now accounting for 54% of the archery harvest in the state. (File photo by Dan Stephens)

An incredible 30% of deer harvested during 2024-25 firearms seasons were taken with rifles, a 10% increase over 2023-24 – the first season rifle hunting was legal in Illinois.
Meanwhile, crossbows again grabbed a majority of the archery harvest by claiming a 54% share, a slight increase over last year’s 53.5% share. And a fun fact from DNR’s “Summary of the Illinois Deer Season”: Just over 11% of bucks taken this season had antlers 11 points or larger.

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