Illinois' shotgun deer season underway this weekend

The shotgun deer hunting season in Illinois began today, and continues Saturday and Sunday from dawn to dusk. The second shotgun deer hunting season will take place Thursday, November 30th, through Sunday, December 3rd.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is emphasizing the importance of safety when hunting from tree stands.

So far during the fall hunting season, Illinois Conservation Police documented two hunting-related fatalities, both of which involved tree stands. One fatality occurred when a hunter fell out of a 15-foot-tall ladder tree stand. The second happened when a hunter who was reported missing was eventually found deceased on the ground at the base of his ladder stand.

IDNR says there were six tree stand-related falls last year, 13 in 2021 and 14 in 2020.

Earlier this month, an archery hunter had to crawl to the road due to a leg injury and was picked up nine hours later by a relative who was out looking for him when he didn’t return home.

IDNR officials urge hunters to use a functional and trustworthy fall arrest system. Hunters should also thoroughly examine every tree stand prior to use.




(Photo:  Illinois Department of Natural Resources)