As expected, weekend numbers from bowhunting harvest in Illinois suggest the focus has changed much more to bucks, and the numbers are picking up.
And the weather looks fairly typical fall-like and should help for good hunting through the rut.
Here's the latest from forest wildlife program manager Paul Shelton:
Through the end of the day on Sunday, 10/31/2010, archery deer harvest stands at 24,781, compared to 25,478 (2009), 23,375 (2008), and 23,116 (2007). Archery harvest sex ratios for the season are currently 63.9% female: 36.1% male, but hunters have begun focusing more on bucks with the advent of cooler weather and the approach of the rut (harvest sex ratios during the past three days were about 51% female:49% male). Cooler weather has also resulted in increased deer activity, and harvest over the weekend reflected that increase. Top five counties are Pike (1086), Fulton (696), Jefferson (569), Peoria (536), and Madison (506).
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