Local deer harvest figures are up for the 2018-19 hunting season.

DNR Conservation Police Sergeant John Williamson says the across central Illinois, figures are up.

Williamson indicates the early hunting season produced better results than the later season. He feels weather had a lot to do with the early success. He adds the boost in deer taken indicates the deer population has rebounded from the CWD outbreak of 2012-2013.

After the 2013 CWD outbreak, Williamson indicates the decision to let the deer population work itself out without restricting permits has worked itself out, as it has before.

Williamson says this time of the year, you're likely to encounter deer in the mid-to-late afternoon when the day is the warmest.