Ralph Loos: Are rifles boosting deer hunting numbers in Illinois? Not so far

There were assumptions made that legalizing rifles – albeit the single-shot, centerfire variety – would entice more Illinoisans to try deer hunting for the very first time or return to deer hunting after a hiatus.
In other words, with a lighter, shoulder-friendlier, kinder to the ears sort of weapon in play, many figured deer permit sales in the state would grow like pigweed in pig manure on a pig lot. Lawmakers who helped push the rifle hunting legislation into law two years ago were often heard saying things like, “This’ll put more rear-ends in deer stands.”