Deer harvest up in Mercer County | Sports & Recreation

MERCER COUNTY, Ill.--The deer harvest was up in Mercer County in 2012.

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 1,016 deer were taken during the two firearm weekends. That is up from 2011 total of 963.

The first firearm weekend which lasted from November 16th through the 18th brought in a deer count of 755. The second firearm weekend which lasted from November 29th through December 2nd brought in a deer count of 261.  

Statewide the harvest was up as well–99,324 in 2012 compared to 97,820 in 2011. 

There are still continuing and upcoming deer hunting opportunities in Illinois. 

• The archery deer season, continuing through Jan. 20, 2013; 
• The three-day Illinois muzzleloader-only deer season is this week on Dec. 7-9, 2012;
• The seven-day split Late-Winter Firearm Antlerless-only Deer Season and Special CWD Deer Season are Dec. 27-30, 2012 and Jan. 18-20, 2013.