The numbers are in for the 2019 firearm deer season.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Deputy Director Rachel Torbert, indicates the second firearm season for 2019 saw higher numbers compared to the first season but both were down compared to the 2018 season. She says a late harvest and late first season contributed to this.

Torbert says numbers were lower for 2019 compared to 2018 across Central Illinois but were not drastically lower. DeWitt County finished with 333 deer compared to 376 in 2018.

Torbert notes IDNR records deer numbers as a management tool. In the past whitetail deer were not common in Illinois and now they have a huntable population. She says this is due to management from both hunters and the Department.

Archery deer season will end on January 19 along with CWD and late antlerless seasons.