Illinois deer research / Champaign County
Champaign County, Illinois Deer Hunting Research
Central IL region. FDR Deer Herd Index 58.4, ranked #25 of 102 Illinois counties. Built from IDNR public harvest records and the Trophy Index.
B - StrongWhat drives the Champaign County index
Five weighted components, each scored 0–100 against all Illinois counties.
Trophy Index
54↑ 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 | 427 | 303 | 730 |
| 2023 | 385 | 234 | 619 |
| 2022 | 377 | 246 | 623 |
| 2021 | 367 | 228 | 595 |
| 2020 | 427 | 263 | 690 |
| 2019 | 393 | 244 | 637 |
| 2018 | 375 | 226 | 601 |
| 2017 | 360 | 238 | 598 |
| 2016 | 296 | 258 | 554 |
| 2015 | 306 | 240 | 546 |
| 2014 | 298 | 261 | 559 |
| 2013 | 334 | 266 | 600 |
| 2012 | 384 | 385 | 769 |
| 2011 | 399 | 387 | 786 |
| 2010 | 428 | 358 | 786 |
| 2009 | 410 | 343 | 753 |
| 2008 | 410 | 345 | 755 |
| 2007 | 426 | 421 | 847 |
| 2006 | 449 | 355 | 804 |
| 2005 | 469 | 347 | 816 |
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: Champaign County averages 0.39 adult bucks harvested per 1,000 huntable acres (2005-2024).
See full Champaign County harvest charts →
Harvest by sex
IDNR records each harvested deer by sex. In 2024, Champaign County ran 458 bucks (males) and 272 does (females): 62.7% bucks.
| Season | Bucks (M) | Does (F) | Total | % bucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 458 | 272 | 730 | 62.7% |
| 2023 | 418 | 201 | 619 | 67.5% |
| 2022 | 405 | 218 | 623 | 65% |
| 2021 | 391 | 204 | 595 | 65.7% |
| 2020 | 440 | 250 | 690 | 63.8% |
| 2019 | 389 | 248 | 637 | 61.1% |
| 2018 | 354 | 247 | 601 | 58.9% |
| 2017 | 356 | 242 | 598 | 59.5% |
| 2016 | 334 | 220 | 554 | 60.3% |
| 2015 | 312 | 234 | 546 | 57.1% |
| 2014 | 311 | 248 | 559 | 55.6% |
| 2013 | 317 | 283 | 600 | 52.8% |
| 2012 | 447 | 322 | 769 | 58.1% |
| 2011 | 408 | 378 | 786 | 51.9% |
| 2010 | 429 | 357 | 786 | 54.6% |
| 2009 | 396 | 357 | 753 | 52.6% |
| 2008 | 431 | 324 | 755 | 57.1% |
| 2007 | 478 | 369 | 847 | 56.4% |
| 2006 | 475 | 329 | 804 | 59.1% |
| 2005 | 460 | 356 | 816 | 56.4% |
See full Champaign County sex-composition chart →
Age structure
IDNR classifies each deer as adult, yearling (1.5-yr), or fawn. In 2024, Champaign County ran 71.8% adult, 19.7% yearling, and 8.5% fawn. A higher adult share points to a more mature age structure.
| Season | Adult | Yearling | Fawn | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 524 | 144 | 62 | 730 |
| 2023 | 448 | 126 | 45 | 619 |
| 2022 | 409 | 127 | 87 | 623 |
| 2021 | 437 | 109 | 49 | 595 |
| 2020 | 487 | 150 | 53 | 690 |
| 2019 | 442 | 124 | 71 | 637 |
| 2018 | 419 | 122 | 60 | 601 |
| 2017 | 389 | 131 | 78 | 598 |
| 2016 | 363 | 122 | 69 | 554 |
| 2015 | 377 | 93 | 76 | 546 |
| 2014 | 361 | 117 | 81 | 559 |
| 2013 | 367 | 124 | 109 | 600 |
| 2012 | 502 | 149 | 118 | 769 |
| 2011 | 516 | 129 | 141 | 786 |
| 2010 | 503 | 151 | 132 | 786 |
| 2009 | 489 | 117 | 147 | 753 |
| 2008 | 484 | 127 | 144 | 755 |
| 2007 | 534 | 145 | 168 | 847 |
| 2006 | 472 | 146 | 186 | 804 |
| 2005 | 528 | 133 | 155 | 816 |
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 Champaign 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: 535,300 acres (10 m estimate). Verify current season dates, permits, and site-specific rules with IDNR before hunting.
Where to hunt public in Champaign County
Full list on the Illinois public hunting land directory.
See Champaign 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 Champaign County, Illinois good for deer hunting?
Champaign County scores 58.4 of 100 on the FDR Deer Herd Index (B - Strong), ranked #25 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 Champaign County?
Champaign County has a Trophy Index of 54 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 Champaign County, Illinois?
Yes: the Illinois public hunting land directory lists 3 sites in Champaign County, including Gifford State Habitat Area, Trelease Woods, Brownfield Woods. Always verify current site regulations and permit requirements before hunting.
How many deer were harvested in Champaign County last season?
IDNR records show 730 deer harvested in Champaign County in 2024, the most recent reported season.