Hunters take 66,500 deer over 1st weekend

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois hunters harvested more than 66,500 deer during the state’s opening firearm season.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says the preliminary total includes deer harvest from Friday through Sunday. It is about 1,500 fewer deer than were taken during the first weekend harvest in 2010. Pike County had the most deer taken with 1,917. Adams County came in second, followed in order by Fulton, JoDaviess and Jefferson counties.

Statewide, conservation police issued nearly 550 wildlife code citations and 630 written warning over the first weekend of deer hunting. More than 330,000 firearm deer hunting permits were issued for this year’s season.

Hunters harvested nearly 99,000 deer during last year’s entire seven-day season in 2010. This year’s seven-day season ends Dec. 1 to 4.