Illinois deer research / DeKalb County

DeKalb County, Illinois Deer Hunting Research

Northern IL region. FDR Deer Herd Index 37.8, ranked #90 of 102 Illinois counties. Built from IDNR public harvest records and the Trophy Index.

D - Average
37.8 / 100
FDR Herd Index
#90 of 102
Statewide rank
66↓
Trophy Index
326,929
Bow-huntable acres (10 m estimate)
429
2024 deer harvest

What drives the DeKalb County index

Five weighted components, each scored 0–100 against all Illinois counties.

Habitat · 25%73
Herd quality · 30%11
Population · 18%16
Momentum · 12%27
Trophy history · 15%68

Trophy Index

66↓ 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

SeasonArcheryFirearmTotal
2024241145429
2023242130389
2022186115333
2021212112363
2020215123365
2019179119321
2018160125306
2017147111283
2016177147353
2015149133316
2014162141348
2013178143356
2012182209430
2011192194437
2010238243542
2009225237544
2008235257560
2007247333614
2006238341641
2005270366659

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: DeKalb County averages 0.30 adult bucks harvested per 1,000 huntable acres (2005-2024).

See full DeKalb County harvest charts →

Harvest by sex

IDNR records each harvested deer by sex. In 2024, DeKalb County ran 264 bucks (males) and 165 does (females): 61.5% bucks.

SeasonBucks (M)Does (F)Total% bucks
202426416542961.5%
202325013938964.3%
202220412933361.3%
202122314036361.4%
202022014536560.3%
201920711432164.5%
201819211430662.7%
201717810528362.9%
201622512835363.7%
201518613031658.9%
201420913934860.1%
201320215435656.7%
201225217843058.6%
201125718043758.8%
201029824454255%
200926428054448.5%
200830026056053.6%
200733627861454.7%
200635728464155.7%
200536929065956%

See full DeKalb County sex-composition chart →

Age structure

IDNR classifies each deer as adult, yearling (1.5-yr), or fawn. In 2024, DeKalb County ran 63.4% adult, 20% yearling, and 16.6% fawn. A higher adult share points to a more mature age structure.

SeasonAdultYearlingFawnTotal
20242728671429
202322510658389
20221946871333
20212158068363
20202178761365
20192087538321
20181788048306
20171617349283
20161999262353
20151667673315
20141877883348
20131769189356
201224910873430
2011220103114437
2010287107148542
2009289103150542
2008253106200559
2007322118174614
2006350121167638
2005360123173656

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 DeKalb County composition charts →

Seasons & access

SeasonMethodDatesTags
Archery · Oct 1 to mid-Janarchery2026-10-01 → 2027-01-17otc
Firearm · 1st + 2nd Shotgun Seasonfirearm2026-11-20 → 2026-12-06otc
Muzzleloader · Decembermuzzleloader2026-12-11 → 2026-12-13otc

Bow-huntable land, public and private: 326,929 acres (10 m estimate). Verify current season dates, permits, and site-specific rules with IDNR before hunting.

Where to hunt public in DeKalb County

Shabbona Lake State Park · 1,531 acKishwaukee River State Natural Area · 546 acParkside Preserve · 135 acMerritt Prairie Forest Preserve · 53 acWilkinson-Renwick Marsh Nature Preserve · 48 acPrairie Oaks Forest Preserve · 43 ac

Full list on the Illinois public hunting land directory.

See DeKalb 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.

Open Fully Drawn Scout (free)See all DeKalb County charts

Nearby counties

Kane · 40Boone · 41.3Kendall · 32.2McHenry · 37.6Lee · 48LaSalle · 45.3Ogle · 38.4Winnebago · 40
← #89 DuPage County#91 McHenry County →

Frequently asked questions

Is DeKalb County, Illinois good for deer hunting?

DeKalb County scores 37.8 of 100 on the FDR Deer Herd Index (D - Average), ranked #90 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 DeKalb County?

DeKalb County has a Trophy Index of 66 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 DeKalb County, Illinois?

Yes: the Illinois public hunting land directory lists 6 sites in DeKalb County, including Shabbona Lake State Park, Kishwaukee River State Natural Area, Parkside Preserve. Always verify current site regulations and permit requirements before hunting.

How many deer were harvested in DeKalb County last season?

IDNR records show 429 deer harvested in DeKalb County in 2024, the most recent reported season.

Sources: Illinois DNR public harvest and public-land records; qualifying trophy bucks, each counted once, as the Trophy Index. Public-record data only: no private contact information, no landowner lists.

Fully Drawn Research is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Historical data and modeled indexes describe the past; they are not a promise of hunting outcomes. Always verify current seasons, permits, and site rules with IDNR before you hunt.

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