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Illinois deer harvest: crossbows level off, rifles climbing

The Illinois DNR's latest report shows increased permit sales. (Photo by Windigo Images)

The percentage of deer taken with crossbows during the Illinois archery season has decidedly leveled off, while rifles continue to stake a bigger claim of the state’s firearms harvest.
These facts we learn from DNR’s recently-released report on the 2025-26 season authored by DNR Deer Project manager Peter Schlichting. The total harvest was 174,006, up from the 171,322 harvest in 2024-25.

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