ILLINOIS HUNTERS TOOK MORE THAN 47 THOUSAND DEER DURING THE FIRST WEEKEND OF FIREARM DEER SEASON. 

AFTER A WEEKEND OF PRETTY NICE WEATHER, STATE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SPOKESPERSON RACHEL TORBERT SAYS HUNTERS HARVESTED 47 THOUSAND 147 DEER.

THE PRELIMINARY TOTAL IS 47 THOUSAND 147 DEER HARVESTED. THAT'S DOWN ABOUT THREE THOUSAND COMPARED TO THE FIRST HALF OF THE FIREARM SEASON LAST YEAR. THE SECOND WEEKEND FOR FIREARM HUNTING IS DECEMBER THIRD THROUGH THE SIXTH, WITH OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL SAYS STATE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SPOKESPERSON RACHEL TORBERT.

ILLINOIS COUNTIES WITH THE LARGEST HARVESTS INCLUDE RANDOLPH, JACKSON, FULTON, JEFFERSON AND HANCOCK.