Illinois reports 2021-2022 Muzzleloader White Tail Harvest

Deer hunting seasons conclude with hunters in Illinois taking preliminary total of 147,004 deer

Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 147,004 deer during all 2021-2022 archery and firearm seasons that concluded Jan. 16. The total preliminary deer harvest for all seasons compares with a total harvest for all seasons of 162,752 deer in 2020-2021.

During the 2021-2022 deer seasons, hunters took 43.75% does and 56.25% males.

Hunters using muzzleloading rifles harvested a preliminary total of 3,043 deer during the Muzzleloader-Only Deer Season Dec. 10-12, compared with a harvest of 3,451 deer in the 2020 muzzleloader season.

In the 2020-2021 whitetail hunting season Illinois hunters brought in 3,451 whitetail with their muzzleloaders, making up about 2% of the overall harvest. For that same season, Illinois DNR sold 28,485 muzzleloader hunting permits in the state.

The record for deer harvested with a muzzleloader in Illinois was 5,973 in 2006. It’s worth noting, Illinois Record harvest year