Illinois deer research / Cass County
Cass County, Illinois Deer Hunting Research
West-Central (Golden Triangle) region. FDR Deer Herd Index 62.1, ranked #11 of 102 Illinois counties. Built from IDNR public harvest records and the Trophy Index.
B - StrongWhat drives the Cass County index
Five weighted components, each scored 0–100 against all Illinois counties.
Trophy Index
85↑ 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 | 760 | 770 | 1,530 |
| 2023 | 685 | 711 | 1,396 |
| 2022 | 681 | 725 | 1,406 |
| 2021 | 669 | 622 | 1,291 |
| 2020 | 745 | 700 | 1,445 |
| 2019 | 666 | 651 | 1,317 |
| 2018 | 643 | 752 | 1,395 |
| 2017 | 588 | 715 | 1,303 |
| 2016 | 530 | 732 | 1,262 |
| 2015 | 605 | 802 | 1,407 |
| 2014 | 534 | 680 | 1,214 |
| 2013 | 538 | 654 | 1,192 |
| 2012 | 644 | 893 | 1,537 |
| 2011 | 564 | 809 | 1,373 |
| 2010 | 595 | 817 | 1,412 |
| 2009 | 636 | 927 | 1,563 |
| 2008 | 572 | 881 | 1,453 |
| 2007 | 601 | 1,040 | 1,641 |
| 2006 | 659 | 1,085 | 1,744 |
| 2005 | 661 | 1,113 | 1,774 |
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: Cass County averages 1.87 adult bucks harvested per 1,000 huntable acres (2005-2024).
See full Cass County harvest charts →
Harvest by sex
IDNR records each harvested deer by sex. In 2024, Cass County ran 838 bucks (males) and 692 does (females): 54.8% bucks.
| Season | Bucks (M) | Does (F) | Total | % bucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 838 | 692 | 1,530 | 54.8% |
| 2023 | 808 | 588 | 1,396 | 57.9% |
| 2022 | 733 | 673 | 1,406 | 52.1% |
| 2021 | 727 | 564 | 1,291 | 56.3% |
| 2020 | 770 | 675 | 1,445 | 53.3% |
| 2019 | 715 | 602 | 1,317 | 54.3% |
| 2018 | 746 | 649 | 1,395 | 53.5% |
| 2017 | 731 | 572 | 1,303 | 56.1% |
| 2016 | 674 | 588 | 1,262 | 53.4% |
| 2015 | 749 | 658 | 1,407 | 53.2% |
| 2014 | 674 | 540 | 1,214 | 55.5% |
| 2013 | 594 | 598 | 1,192 | 49.8% |
| 2012 | 770 | 767 | 1,537 | 50.1% |
| 2011 | 732 | 641 | 1,373 | 53.3% |
| 2010 | 686 | 726 | 1,412 | 48.6% |
| 2009 | 753 | 810 | 1,563 | 48.2% |
| 2008 | 754 | 699 | 1,453 | 51.9% |
| 2007 | 905 | 736 | 1,641 | 55.1% |
| 2006 | 958 | 786 | 1,744 | 54.9% |
| 2005 | 925 | 849 | 1,774 | 52.1% |
See full Cass County sex-composition chart →
Age structure
IDNR classifies each deer as adult, yearling (1.5-yr), or fawn. In 2024, Cass County ran 69.9% adult, 15% yearling, and 15% fawn. A higher adult share points to a more mature age structure.
| Season | Adult | Yearling | Fawn | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,070 | 230 | 230 | 1,530 |
| 2023 | 966 | 212 | 218 | 1,396 |
| 2022 | 1,023 | 197 | 186 | 1,406 |
| 2021 | 891 | 189 | 211 | 1,291 |
| 2020 | 995 | 204 | 246 | 1,445 |
| 2019 | 896 | 196 | 225 | 1,317 |
| 2018 | 890 | 186 | 319 | 1,395 |
| 2017 | 866 | 190 | 247 | 1,303 |
| 2016 | 829 | 179 | 254 | 1,262 |
| 2015 | 929 | 190 | 288 | 1,407 |
| 2014 | 782 | 183 | 249 | 1,214 |
| 2013 | 757 | 191 | 244 | 1,192 |
| 2012 | 981 | 177 | 379 | 1,537 |
| 2011 | 910 | 187 | 276 | 1,373 |
| 2010 | 955 | 171 | 286 | 1,412 |
| 2009 | 1,038 | 169 | 356 | 1,563 |
| 2008 | 965 | 178 | 310 | 1,453 |
| 2007 | 1,103 | 229 | 309 | 1,641 |
| 2006 | 1,074 | 258 | 412 | 1,744 |
| 2005 | 1,055 | 250 | 468 | 1,773 |
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 Cass 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: 219,089 acres (10 m estimate). Verify current season dates, permits, and site-specific rules with IDNR before hunting.
Where to hunt public in Cass County
Full list on the Illinois public hunting land directory.
See Cass 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 Cass County, Illinois good for deer hunting?
Cass County scores 62.1 of 100 on the FDR Deer Herd Index (B - Strong), ranked #11 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 Cass County?
Cass County has a Trophy Index of 85 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 Cass County, Illinois?
Yes: the Illinois public hunting land directory lists 4 sites in Cass County, including Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area, Weinberg-King State Fish and Wildlife Area, Sanganois. Always verify current site regulations and permit requirements before hunting.
How many deer were harvested in Cass County last season?
IDNR records show 1,530 deer harvested in Cass County in 2024, the most recent reported season.