Harvest by bowhunters in Illinois is down slightly from last year at the same time, according to Paul Shelton.
Here's the word from the forest wildlife program manager:
Through Sunday, December 19, 2010, Illinois archers harvested 58,471 deer, compared to 59,028 during the same time period last year. Harvest sex ratios to date are 50% female:50% male. Top five counties are Pike (3007), Fulton (1706), Jefferson (1326), Adams (1249), and Peoria (1153).
At this point in time, 44 counties are down to some extent (compared to last year), 1 county is exactly the same, and 57 counties are up to some extent.
There's just under a month to go for bowhunters.
Let's have a safe and successful hunting season in '10.