Deer hunting numbers down after second firearm weekend

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Preliminary numbers have been released for deer harvested during the 2018 firearm season. 

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Knox County hunters bagged 256 deer during the second weekend if firearm season. In total, 1,118 head of deer were bagged in the county, which is down from the year before. (1,145)

In total the state saw an increase over last year in the number of deer harvested, even though the second weekend was down a significant number.

IDNR Spokesperson Ed Cross says that weather played a factor in the second weekend.

“Temperature-wise, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were perfect for that first week. The second firearm season, however, was a different story. Friday was nice, but Saturday was windy and rainy, and in many parts of the state we saw some pretty severe weather.”

Numbers were down in most area counties as well. Decreases were seen in Fulton, Warren, Henry, Stark, and Peoria Counties while McDonough saw an increase.

While the firearm season has wrapped up, there are other chances for hunters to get out. Muzzleloader-Only Deer Season runs from December 7-9. Late-Winter Antlerless-Only Deer Season will be coming up on the weekends of December 27-30 and January 18-20, 2019. Archery deer season continues through January 20, 2019.

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