Hunters kill nearly 100,000 deer in state

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois firearm hunters harvested nearly 99,500 deer during this year's season.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources said Wednesday that the preliminary harvest total was about 6,000 fewer than last year's harvest. The seasons were from Nov. 20-22 and Dec. 3-6. Department forest wildlife program manager Paul Shelton says this year's harvest had a slow start but is nearly identical to last year's.

The department says the harvest total includes deer taken in all Illinois counties that allow firearm hunting and Chain O'Lakes State Park in Lake County.

Harvest totals show Pike County led the state with 3,265 deer, followed by Fulton County with 2,616 deer.