As a firearm hunter, I think it will be a good sign for Friday when the first firearm season opens in Illinois

Illinois bowhunters are nearly on last year's pace for harvesting deer. Once again, high winds several days in the past week probably kept harvest down slightly.

Here's the word from forest wildlife program manager Paul Shelton:

Through November 13, Illinois archery deer hunters have harvested 45,069 deer, compared to 45,268 during the same period last year. In spite of challenging conditions brought about by rain and high winds, archers managed to harvest 12,033 deer during the past week.

Increased rutting activity strongly influenced harvest sex ratios, with bucks comprising 65% of the harvest during the week. Cumulative sex ratios in the deer harvest to date have been 52% females to 48% males.

Top five counties currently are Pike (2237), Fulton (1383), Adams (1027), Jefferson (973), and Peoria (922).