Six out of 10 deer taken during last year’s shotgun season were bucks, according to DNR’s published report on the 2022-23 harvest.
The exact harvest ratio of 59.2% males to 40.8% females was not exactly breaking news – Illinois shotgun hunters have harvested 55% to 60% bucks over the past decade or so. The deer harvest report, authored by Deer Program Manager Peter Schlichting, also confirms another ongoing trend among Illinois firearms hunters: a serious reluctancy to waste time.
Illinois firearms hunters took more bucks last year – and took ’em early
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