Illinois deer research / DuPage County
DuPage County, Illinois Deer Hunting Research
Northern IL region. FDR Deer Herd Index 38, ranked #89 of 102 Illinois counties. Built from IDNR public harvest records and the Trophy Index.
D - AverageWhat drives the DuPage County index
Five weighted components, each scored 0–100 against all Illinois counties.
Trophy Index
90↓ 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 | 39 | 0 | 39 |
| 2023 | 50 | 0 | 50 |
| 2022 | 34 | 0 | 34 |
| 2021 | 37 | 0 | 37 |
| 2020 | 42 | 0 | 42 |
| 2019 | 42 | 0 | 42 |
| 2018 | 29 | 0 | 29 |
| 2017 | 37 | 0 | 37 |
| 2016 | 35 | 0 | 35 |
| 2015 | 37 | 0 | 37 |
| 2014 | 36 | 0 | 36 |
| 2013 | 42 | 0 | 42 |
| 2012 | 35 | 0 | 35 |
| 2011 | 61 | 0 | 61 |
| 2010 | 69 | 0 | 69 |
| 2009 | 72 | 0 | 72 |
| 2008 | 78 | 0 | 78 |
| 2007 | 72 | 0 | 72 |
| 2006 | 64 | 0 | 64 |
| 2005 | 72 | 0 | 72 |
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: DuPage County averages 0.68 adult bucks harvested per 1,000 huntable acres (2005-2024).
See full DuPage County harvest charts →
Harvest by sex
IDNR records each harvested deer by sex. In 2024, DuPage County ran 31 bucks (males) and 8 does (females): 79.5% bucks.
| Season | Bucks (M) | Does (F) | Total | % bucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 31 | 8 | 39 | 79.5% |
| 2023 | 26 | 24 | 50 | 52% |
| 2022 | 23 | 11 | 34 | 67.6% |
| 2021 | 24 | 13 | 37 | 64.9% |
| 2020 | 31 | 11 | 42 | 73.8% |
| 2019 | 27 | 15 | 42 | 64.3% |
| 2018 | 22 | 7 | 29 | 75.9% |
| 2017 | 25 | 12 | 37 | 67.6% |
| 2016 | 18 | 17 | 35 | 51.4% |
| 2015 | 22 | 15 | 37 | 59.5% |
| 2014 | 27 | 9 | 36 | 75% |
| 2013 | 26 | 16 | 42 | 61.9% |
| 2012 | 21 | 14 | 35 | 60% |
| 2011 | 34 | 27 | 61 | 55.7% |
| 2010 | 38 | 31 | 69 | 55.1% |
| 2009 | 41 | 31 | 72 | 56.9% |
| 2008 | 43 | 35 | 78 | 55.1% |
| 2007 | 44 | 28 | 72 | 61.1% |
| 2006 | 41 | 23 | 64 | 64.1% |
| 2005 | 43 | 29 | 72 | 59.7% |
See full DuPage County sex-composition chart →
Age structure
IDNR classifies each deer as adult, yearling (1.5-yr), or fawn. In 2024, DuPage County ran 61.5% adult, 30.8% yearling, and 7.7% fawn. A higher adult share points to a more mature age structure.
| Season | Adult | Yearling | Fawn | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 24 | 12 | 3 | 39 |
| 2023 | 26 | 14 | 10 | 50 |
| 2022 | 18 | 10 | 6 | 34 |
| 2021 | 26 | 9 | 2 | 37 |
| 2020 | 33 | 4 | 5 | 42 |
| 2019 | 30 | 9 | 3 | 42 |
| 2018 | 18 | 10 | 1 | 29 |
| 2017 | 25 | 10 | 2 | 37 |
| 2016 | 27 | 3 | 5 | 35 |
| 2015 | 26 | 7 | 4 | 37 |
| 2014 | 20 | 10 | 6 | 36 |
| 2013 | 26 | 11 | 5 | 42 |
| 2012 | 20 | 11 | 4 | 35 |
| 2011 | 37 | 16 | 8 | 61 |
| 2010 | 50 | 13 | 6 | 69 |
| 2009 | 48 | 16 | 8 | 72 |
| 2008 | 56 | 13 | 9 | 78 |
| 2007 | 44 | 14 | 14 | 72 |
| 2006 | 41 | 11 | 12 | 64 |
| 2005 | 53 | 4 | 15 | 72 |
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 DuPage 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: 23,349 acres (10 m estimate). Verify current season dates, permits, and site-specific rules with IDNR before hunting.
Where to hunt public in DuPage County
Full list on the Illinois public hunting land directory.
See DuPage 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 DuPage County, Illinois good for deer hunting?
DuPage County scores 38 of 100 on the FDR Deer Herd Index (D - Average), ranked #89 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 DuPage County?
DuPage County has a Trophy Index of 90 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 DuPage County, Illinois?
Yes: the Illinois public hunting land directory lists 7 sites in DuPage County, including Springbrook Prairie, Pratts Wayne Woods, Herrick Lake Forest Preserve. Always verify current site regulations and permit requirements before hunting.
How many deer were harvested in DuPage County last season?
IDNR records show 39 deer harvested in DuPage County in 2024, the most recent reported season.