![](https:/wp-content/uploads/sites/389/2017/01/DeerFBIDNR1.jpg)
By Dave Dahl
SPRINGFIELD – Deer numbers from the 2021 firearm deer harvest in Illinois are down from 2020 – about 5,500 for the seven-day season and more than 8000 comparing the second weekends.
Tim Schweizer, a Department of Natural Resources spokesman, said the reason could be greater demand in 2020.
The state’s deer hunters still have muzzleloader, chronic wasting disease, and late-winter antlerless seasons. Archery deer season continues through Jan. 16.
Randolph and Adams are the top two counties for 2021, the only ones with more than 2,000 deer each.
Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].