Illinois deer research / Boone County
Boone County, Illinois Deer Hunting Research
Northern IL region. FDR Deer Herd Index 41.3, ranked #80 of 102 Illinois counties. Built from IDNR public harvest records and the Trophy Index.
C - Above AverageWhat drives the Boone County index
Five weighted components, each scored 0–100 against all Illinois counties.
Trophy Index
68↑ out of 100. How this county ranks for trophy bucks against every county we cover. 100 is the top. Ranked per acre of bow-huntable land (10 m estimate).
2005–2024 harvest trend
| Season | Archery | Firearm | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 207 | 133 | 380 |
| 2023 | 203 | 113 | 340 |
| 2022 | 177 | 118 | 323 |
| 2021 | 176 | 109 | 312 |
| 2020 | 182 | 147 | 362 |
| 2019 | 145 | 115 | 281 |
| 2018 | 125 | 145 | 297 |
| 2017 | 127 | 139 | 288 |
| 2016 | 117 | 124 | 279 |
| 2015 | 147 | 132 | 315 |
| 2014 | 152 | 115 | 297 |
| 2013 | 143 | 81 | 244 |
| 2012 | 115 | 149 | 289 |
| 2011 | 127 | 138 | 284 |
| 2010 | 125 | 140 | 297 |
| 2009 | 169 | 175 | 391 |
| 2008 | 126 | 173 | 329 |
| 2007 | 146 | 197 | 368 |
| 2006 | 160 | 235 | 435 |
| 2005 | 185 | 297 | 525 |
Totals are IDNR's all-season county harvest; firearm includes the youth, muzzleloader and late-winter seasons. Source: Hunt Illinois county deer harvest. Buck density: Boone County averages 0.65 adult bucks harvested per 1,000 huntable acres (2005-2024).
See full Boone County harvest charts →
Harvest by sex
IDNR records each harvested deer by sex. In 2024, Boone County ran 263 bucks (males) and 117 does (females): 69.2% bucks.
| Season | Bucks (M) | Does (F) | Total | % bucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 263 | 117 | 380 | 69.2% |
| 2023 | 244 | 96 | 340 | 71.8% |
| 2022 | 221 | 102 | 323 | 68.4% |
| 2021 | 208 | 104 | 312 | 66.7% |
| 2020 | 213 | 149 | 362 | 58.8% |
| 2019 | 191 | 90 | 281 | 68% |
| 2018 | 206 | 91 | 297 | 69.4% |
| 2017 | 192 | 96 | 288 | 66.7% |
| 2016 | 164 | 115 | 279 | 58.8% |
| 2015 | 200 | 115 | 315 | 63.5% |
| 2014 | 175 | 122 | 297 | 58.9% |
| 2013 | 145 | 99 | 244 | 59.4% |
| 2012 | 180 | 109 | 289 | 62.3% |
| 2011 | 169 | 115 | 284 | 59.5% |
| 2010 | 166 | 131 | 297 | 55.9% |
| 2009 | 209 | 182 | 391 | 53.5% |
| 2008 | 182 | 147 | 329 | 55.3% |
| 2007 | 231 | 137 | 368 | 62.8% |
| 2006 | 265 | 170 | 435 | 60.9% |
| 2005 | 297 | 228 | 525 | 56.6% |
See full Boone County sex-composition chart →
Age structure
IDNR classifies each deer as adult, yearling (1.5-yr), or fawn. In 2024, Boone County ran 58.4% adult, 25.8% yearling, and 15.8% fawn. A higher adult share points to a more mature age structure.
| Season | Adult | Yearling | Fawn | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 222 | 98 | 60 | 380 |
| 2023 | 207 | 89 | 44 | 340 |
| 2022 | 196 | 86 | 41 | 323 |
| 2021 | 184 | 75 | 53 | 312 |
| 2020 | 212 | 90 | 60 | 362 |
| 2019 | 176 | 75 | 30 | 281 |
| 2018 | 185 | 68 | 44 | 297 |
| 2017 | 171 | 75 | 42 | 288 |
| 2016 | 169 | 61 | 49 | 279 |
| 2015 | 163 | 96 | 56 | 315 |
| 2014 | 166 | 70 | 61 | 297 |
| 2013 | 141 | 62 | 41 | 244 |
| 2012 | 157 | 77 | 55 | 289 |
| 2011 | 151 | 71 | 62 | 284 |
| 2010 | 157 | 68 | 72 | 297 |
| 2009 | 220 | 79 | 89 | 388 |
| 2008 | 169 | 79 | 80 | 328 |
| 2007 | 191 | 94 | 83 | 368 |
| 2006 | 207 | 102 | 124 | 433 |
| 2005 | 267 | 93 | 160 | 520 |
Age class is IDNR's field classification at check-in, not a lab-aged tooth-wear cohort; treat it as a directional maturity signal.
See full Boone County composition charts →
Seasons & access
| Season | Method | Dates | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery · Oct 1 to mid-Jan | archery | 2026-10-01 → 2027-01-17 | otc |
| Firearm · 1st + 2nd Shotgun Season | firearm | 2026-11-20 → 2026-12-06 | otc |
| Muzzleloader · December | muzzleloader | 2026-12-11 → 2026-12-13 | otc |
Bow-huntable land, public and private: 132,286 acres (10 m estimate). Verify current season dates, permits, and site-specific rules with IDNR before hunting.
Where to hunt public in Boone County
Full list on the Illinois public hunting land directory.
See Boone County on the map
Parcels with owner & acreage, public hunting land with regs, access points, leaf-off imagery, and this research, together on one hunting map.
Nearby counties
Frequently asked questions
Is Boone County, Illinois good for deer hunting?
Boone County scores 41.3 of 100 on the FDR Deer Herd Index (C - Above Average), ranked #80 of 102 Illinois counties. The index is built from IDNR public harvest records, habitat, herd quality, momentum, and trophy history (the Trophy Index).
What is the Trophy Index for Boone County?
Boone County has a Trophy Index of 68 out of 100. How this county ranks for trophy bucks against every county we cover. 100 is the top. Ranked per acre of bow-huntable land (10 m estimate).
Is there public hunting land in Boone County, Illinois?
Yes: the Illinois public hunting land directory lists 2 sites in Boone County, including Kinnikinnick Creek Nature Preserve, Crow's Foot State Fish and Wildlife Area. Always verify current site regulations and permit requirements before hunting.
How many deer were harvested in Boone County last season?
IDNR records show 380 deer harvested in Boone County in 2024, the most recent reported season.