Illinois deer opener, as seen in snippets at McHenry County check station

As wildlife biologist Stefanie Fitzsimons checked in Don Ellis’ buck Friday midday, she asked if they could sample it for chronic wasting disease.

``I am not going to cape it, so you can sample it,’’ he said.

Illinois’ first firearm deer season opened Friday to high blue skies and temperatures in the 30s and 40s across the state.

In the 17 counties with positive results for CWD, successful hunters needed to bring their deer to check stations. Friday I was at the McHenry County station at McHenry Dam Day Use Area, staffed by Fitzsimons, who covers McHenry, Kane and Lake counties, and Downstate wildlife biologist Emma Trone.

``We had him on [trail] camera like two minutes before I got him,’’ said Ellis, as Fitzsimons and Trone handled the check in.

``I passed up two 8-pointers, before I got him,’’ Ellis said. ``I saw one deer as I was walking in and a coyote. Passed on one small buck and another one about 7, then took this one.’’

Fitzsimons aged his buck at 4 1/2 years, the oldest of the 18 deer checked in by mid-afternoon.

David Murillo brought along his two youngest children, Abigail, 4, and Benjamin, 2, to check in his 6-point buck.

``Maybe one of these days you will come along with me,’’ Murillo said.

They munched gifted chocolate-chip cookies as they watched check-in.

``It goes to the deer processor [John’s Elgin Market], then we have high-quality protein for 2019-20,’’ Murillo said.

Steven Rinella of MeatEater fame inspired Crystal Lake fireman Joseph Forsberg to hunt and he bagged his first deer, a young buck.

First season runs through Sunday; second firearm season is Dec. 5-8.

Dale Bowman