Archery harvest numbers cool off in warm weather

Paul Shelton, forest wildlife program manager for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources sent the most recent archery and youth deer numbers Monday:

Archery:
“Through Oct. 9, archery deer hunters in Illinois harvested 8,872 deer, compared to 8,936 last year during that same period.

After a very fast start to the season, a series of 85 degree days seems to have put a damper on hunter participation and success, so last weekend was a little on the slow side.

Harvest sex ratios to date have been 71 percent female to 29 percent male. Top five counties are Pike (334), Fulton (233), Vermilion (232), Jefferson (224), and Peoria (188).”

Youth:
“Youth deer hunters harvested a preliminary total of 1,851 during the Oct. 8-9, 2011 Youth Season. 

This compares to the preliminary total of 1,534 deer taken during last year’s season. 

Harvest sex ratios were 48 percent female to 52 percent male. 

The top five counties were Pike (103), Jefferson (53), Randolph (53), Adams (51), and Fulton (48).

“The record harvest for this season occurred during 2009, when 2,409 deer were taken.”

Week two archery numbers: