Illinois Hunting: Bowhunting update, rut

Signs of the rut continue to show in the latest update on deer harvest so far by bowhunters in Illinois from the IDNR.

Forest wildlife program manager Paul Shelton sent this:

ARCHERY DEER Weather conditions remained generally good this past week, except for passage of a cold front on Sunday (Nov. 11) that brought rain and stronger winds, followed by much cooler temperatures. As a result, harvest on Sunday was depressed somewhat. Through Sunday, November 11, 2012, Illinois archery deer hunters harvested a preliminary total of 41,025 deer. Last year’s preliminary harvest for the same period was 40,509, and the five-year average for 2007-2011 was 41,727. Harvest to date (for all weeks) consists of 51% does and 49% males (20919 F; 20106 M), but male harvest continued to climb during the past week as rutting activity increased. Males comprised about 66% of the weekly harvest total. Top five counties to date are Pike (1867), Fulton (1366), Jefferson (924), Adams (920), and JoDaviess (846).

I think it bodes well for firearm hunters dreaming of a big buck.

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