Illinois deer research / Hamilton County
Hamilton County, Illinois Deer Hunting Research
Southern IL region. FDR Deer Herd Index 61.8, ranked #13 of 102 Illinois counties. Built from IDNR public harvest records and the Trophy Index.
B - StrongWhat drives the Hamilton County index
Five weighted components, each scored 0–100 against all Illinois counties.
Trophy Index
80↓ 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 | 1,060 | 1,586 | 2,646 |
| 2023 | 1,024 | 1,337 | 2,361 |
| 2022 | 908 | 1,329 | 2,237 |
| 2021 | 802 | 1,206 | 2,008 |
| 2020 | 1,004 | 1,346 | 2,350 |
| 2019 | 876 | 1,295 | 2,171 |
| 2018 | 689 | 1,338 | 2,027 |
| 2017 | 665 | 1,379 | 2,044 |
| 2016 | 630 | 1,388 | 2,018 |
| 2015 | 591 | 1,441 | 2,032 |
| 2014 | 646 | 1,319 | 1,965 |
| 2013 | 591 | 1,263 | 1,854 |
| 2012 | 539 | 1,419 | 1,958 |
| 2011 | 550 | 1,460 | 2,010 |
| 2010 | 587 | 1,492 | 2,079 |
| 2009 | 551 | 1,566 | 2,117 |
| 2008 | 614 | 1,574 | 2,188 |
| 2007 | 619 | 1,746 | 2,365 |
| 2006 | 601 | 1,709 | 2,310 |
| 2005 | 659 | 1,745 | 2,404 |
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: Hamilton County averages 2.35 adult bucks harvested per 1,000 huntable acres (2005-2024).
See full Hamilton County harvest charts →
Harvest by sex
IDNR records each harvested deer by sex. In 2024, Hamilton County ran 1,358 bucks (males) and 1,288 does (females): 51.3% bucks.
| Season | Bucks (M) | Does (F) | Total | % bucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,358 | 1,288 | 2,646 | 51.3% |
| 2023 | 1,293 | 1,068 | 2,361 | 54.8% |
| 2022 | 1,173 | 1,064 | 2,237 | 52.4% |
| 2021 | 1,112 | 896 | 2,008 | 55.4% |
| 2020 | 1,228 | 1,122 | 2,350 | 52.3% |
| 2019 | 1,162 | 1,009 | 2,171 | 53.5% |
| 2018 | 1,067 | 960 | 2,027 | 52.6% |
| 2017 | 1,087 | 957 | 2,044 | 53.2% |
| 2016 | 1,030 | 988 | 2,018 | 51% |
| 2015 | 992 | 1,040 | 2,032 | 48.8% |
| 2014 | 1,003 | 962 | 1,965 | 51% |
| 2013 | 879 | 975 | 1,854 | 47.4% |
| 2012 | 981 | 977 | 1,958 | 50.1% |
| 2011 | 985 | 1,025 | 2,010 | 49% |
| 2010 | 1,077 | 1,002 | 2,079 | 51.8% |
| 2009 | 1,047 | 1,070 | 2,117 | 49.5% |
| 2008 | 1,097 | 1,091 | 2,188 | 50.1% |
| 2007 | 1,223 | 1,142 | 2,365 | 51.7% |
| 2006 | 1,275 | 1,035 | 2,310 | 55.2% |
| 2005 | 1,263 | 1,141 | 2,404 | 52.5% |
See full Hamilton County sex-composition chart →
Age structure
IDNR classifies each deer as adult, yearling (1.5-yr), or fawn. In 2024, Hamilton County ran 72.8% adult, 14.9% yearling, and 12.2% fawn. A higher adult share points to a more mature age structure.
| Season | Adult | Yearling | Fawn | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,927 | 395 | 324 | 2,646 |
| 2023 | 1,767 | 325 | 269 | 2,361 |
| 2022 | 1,640 | 318 | 279 | 2,237 |
| 2021 | 1,473 | 286 | 249 | 2,008 |
| 2020 | 1,699 | 349 | 302 | 2,350 |
| 2019 | 1,510 | 373 | 288 | 2,171 |
| 2018 | 1,392 | 360 | 275 | 2,027 |
| 2017 | 1,372 | 351 | 321 | 2,044 |
| 2016 | 1,386 | 314 | 318 | 2,018 |
| 2015 | 1,372 | 335 | 325 | 2,032 |
| 2014 | 1,324 | 292 | 349 | 1,965 |
| 2013 | 1,245 | 275 | 334 | 1,854 |
| 2012 | 1,235 | 313 | 410 | 1,958 |
| 2011 | 1,314 | 301 | 395 | 2,010 |
| 2010 | 1,367 | 320 | 392 | 2,079 |
| 2009 | 1,379 | 296 | 442 | 2,117 |
| 2008 | 1,487 | 329 | 372 | 2,188 |
| 2007 | 1,496 | 354 | 515 | 2,365 |
| 2006 | 1,460 | 359 | 490 | 2,309 |
| 2005 | 1,523 | 347 | 531 | 2,401 |
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 Hamilton 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: 257,818 acres (10 m estimate). Verify current season dates, permits, and site-specific rules with IDNR before hunting.
Where to hunt public in Hamilton County
Full list on the Illinois public hunting land directory.
See Hamilton 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 Hamilton County, Illinois good for deer hunting?
Hamilton County scores 61.8 of 100 on the FDR Deer Herd Index (B - Strong), ranked #13 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 Hamilton County?
Hamilton County has a Trophy Index of 80 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 Hamilton County, Illinois?
Yes: the Illinois public hunting land directory lists 2 sites in Hamilton County, including Ten Mile Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area, Hamilton County State Fish and Wildlife Area. Always verify current site regulations and permit requirements before hunting.
How many deer were harvested in Hamilton County last season?
IDNR records show 2,646 deer harvested in Hamilton County in 2024, the most recent reported season.