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Illinois Deer Harvest Report sheds light on bowhunting trends in the state

The sight of a buck in its late summer stage gives bowhunters reason to anticipate October. (Photo courtesy of Bill Key)

Illinois deer hunters have increasingly turned to crossbows during the past decade, a trend reflected in DNR’s 2025-26 archery harvest data.
Crossbows accounted for 54% of the archery deer harvest in 2025, according to DNR, while compound bows accounted for 44.9% and traditional bows represented 1.1%. The shift represents a dramatic change from 2016, when compound bows were used to take 84% of archery-harvested deer.

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