Illinois deer research / Ford County
Ford County, Illinois Deer Hunting Research
Central IL region. FDR Deer Herd Index 55.8, ranked #37 of 102 Illinois counties. Built from IDNR public harvest records and the Trophy Index.
B - StrongWhat drives the Ford County index
Five weighted components, each scored 0–100 against all Illinois counties.
Trophy Index
25↑ 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 | 64 | 135 | 213 |
| 2023 | 63 | 131 | 194 |
| 2022 | 67 | 137 | 204 |
| 2021 | 51 | 114 | 165 |
| 2020 | 62 | 131 | 193 |
| 2019 | 59 | 116 | 175 |
| 2018 | 50 | 122 | 172 |
| 2017 | 53 | 118 | 171 |
| 2016 | 43 | 133 | 176 |
| 2015 | 49 | 143 | 192 |
| 2014 | 50 | 121 | 171 |
| 2013 | 67 | 119 | 186 |
| 2012 | 64 | 147 | 211 |
| 2011 | 73 | 149 | 222 |
| 2010 | 67 | 137 | 204 |
| 2009 | 73 | 126 | 199 |
| 2008 | 74 | 170 | 244 |
| 2007 | 53 | 159 | 212 |
| 2006 | 49 | 166 | 215 |
| 2005 | 75 | 185 | 260 |
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: Ford County averages 0.24 adult bucks harvested per 1,000 huntable acres (2005-2024).
See full Ford County harvest charts →
Harvest by sex
IDNR records each harvested deer by sex. In 2024, Ford County ran 142 bucks (males) and 71 does (females): 66.7% bucks.
| Season | Bucks (M) | Does (F) | Total | % bucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 142 | 71 | 213 | 66.7% |
| 2023 | 133 | 61 | 194 | 68.6% |
| 2022 | 148 | 56 | 204 | 72.5% |
| 2021 | 121 | 44 | 165 | 73.3% |
| 2020 | 133 | 60 | 193 | 68.9% |
| 2019 | 114 | 61 | 175 | 65.1% |
| 2018 | 100 | 72 | 172 | 58.1% |
| 2017 | 110 | 61 | 171 | 64.3% |
| 2016 | 105 | 71 | 176 | 59.7% |
| 2015 | 122 | 70 | 192 | 63.5% |
| 2014 | 109 | 62 | 171 | 63.7% |
| 2013 | 116 | 70 | 186 | 62.4% |
| 2012 | 126 | 85 | 211 | 59.7% |
| 2011 | 132 | 90 | 222 | 59.5% |
| 2010 | 137 | 67 | 204 | 67.2% |
| 2009 | 127 | 72 | 199 | 63.8% |
| 2008 | 154 | 90 | 244 | 63.1% |
| 2007 | 135 | 77 | 212 | 63.7% |
| 2006 | 140 | 75 | 215 | 65.1% |
| 2005 | 154 | 106 | 260 | 59.2% |
See full Ford County sex-composition chart →
Age structure
IDNR classifies each deer as adult, yearling (1.5-yr), or fawn. In 2024, Ford County ran 66.7% adult, 21.6% yearling, and 11.7% fawn. A higher adult share points to a more mature age structure.
| Season | Adult | Yearling | Fawn | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 142 | 46 | 25 | 213 |
| 2023 | 152 | 30 | 12 | 194 |
| 2022 | 141 | 44 | 19 | 204 |
| 2021 | 111 | 36 | 18 | 165 |
| 2020 | 139 | 41 | 13 | 193 |
| 2019 | 108 | 40 | 27 | 175 |
| 2018 | 121 | 32 | 19 | 172 |
| 2017 | 105 | 46 | 20 | 171 |
| 2016 | 113 | 34 | 29 | 176 |
| 2015 | 119 | 46 | 27 | 192 |
| 2014 | 98 | 44 | 29 | 171 |
| 2013 | 118 | 37 | 31 | 186 |
| 2012 | 143 | 51 | 17 | 211 |
| 2011 | 139 | 49 | 34 | 222 |
| 2010 | 131 | 45 | 28 | 204 |
| 2009 | 124 | 46 | 29 | 199 |
| 2008 | 143 | 56 | 45 | 244 |
| 2007 | 136 | 47 | 29 | 212 |
| 2006 | 128 | 44 | 43 | 215 |
| 2005 | 158 | 59 | 41 | 258 |
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 Ford 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: 280,821 acres (10 m estimate). Verify current season dates, permits, and site-specific rules with IDNR before hunting.
Where to hunt public in Ford County
Full list on the Illinois public hunting land directory.
See Ford 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 Ford County, Illinois good for deer hunting?
Ford County scores 55.8 of 100 on the FDR Deer Herd Index (B - Strong), ranked #37 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 Ford County?
Ford County has a Trophy Index of 25 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 Ford County, Illinois?
Yes: the Illinois public hunting land directory lists 2 sites in Ford County, including Sibley State Habitat Area, Perdueville State Habitat Area. Always verify current site regulations and permit requirements before hunting.
How many deer were harvested in Ford County last season?
IDNR records show 213 deer harvested in Ford County in 2024, the most recent reported season.