Illinois deer research / Hardin County
Hardin County, Illinois Deer Hunting Research
Southern IL region. FDR Deer Herd Index 27.6, ranked #102 of 102 Illinois counties. Built from IDNR public harvest records and the Trophy Index.
D - AverageWhat drives the Hardin County index
Five weighted components, each scored 0–100 against all Illinois counties.
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
| Season | Archery | Firearm | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 391 | 586 | 977 |
| 2023 | 397 | 677 | 1,074 |
| 2022 | 432 | 780 | 1,212 |
| 2021 | 408 | 710 | 1,118 |
| 2020 | 457 | 734 | 1,191 |
| 2019 | 494 | 922 | 1,416 |
| 2018 | 425 | 938 | 1,363 |
| 2017 | 440 | 1,045 | 1,485 |
| 2016 | 399 | 950 | 1,349 |
| 2015 | 438 | 1,059 | 1,497 |
| 2014 | 429 | 923 | 1,352 |
| 2013 | 422 | 1,020 | 1,442 |
| 2012 | 457 | 1,102 | 1,559 |
| 2011 | 462 | 1,205 | 1,667 |
| 2010 | 402 | 1,074 | 1,476 |
| 2009 | 337 | 1,160 | 1,497 |
| 2008 | 419 | 1,175 | 1,594 |
| 2007 | 370 | 1,284 | 1,654 |
| 2006 | 373 | 1,102 | 1,475 |
| 2005 | 398 | 1,128 | 1,526 |
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: Hardin County averages 3.19 adult bucks harvested per 1,000 huntable acres (2005-2024).
See full Hardin County harvest charts →
Harvest by sex
IDNR records each harvested deer by sex. In 2024, Hardin County ran 547 bucks (males) and 430 does (females): 56% bucks.
| Season | Bucks (M) | Does (F) | Total | % bucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 547 | 430 | 977 | 56% |
| 2023 | 623 | 451 | 1,074 | 58% |
| 2022 | 680 | 532 | 1,212 | 56.1% |
| 2021 | 624 | 494 | 1,118 | 55.8% |
| 2020 | 628 | 563 | 1,191 | 52.7% |
| 2019 | 726 | 690 | 1,416 | 51.3% |
| 2018 | 707 | 656 | 1,363 | 51.9% |
| 2017 | 764 | 721 | 1,485 | 51.4% |
| 2016 | 767 | 582 | 1,349 | 56.9% |
| 2015 | 826 | 671 | 1,497 | 55.2% |
| 2014 | 710 | 642 | 1,352 | 52.5% |
| 2013 | 746 | 696 | 1,442 | 51.7% |
| 2012 | 786 | 773 | 1,559 | 50.4% |
| 2011 | 892 | 775 | 1,667 | 53.5% |
| 2010 | 757 | 719 | 1,476 | 51.3% |
| 2009 | 786 | 711 | 1,497 | 52.5% |
| 2008 | 810 | 784 | 1,594 | 50.8% |
| 2007 | 854 | 800 | 1,654 | 51.6% |
| 2006 | 819 | 656 | 1,475 | 55.5% |
| 2005 | 826 | 700 | 1,526 | 54.1% |
See full Hardin County sex-composition chart →
Age structure
IDNR classifies each deer as adult, yearling (1.5-yr), or fawn. In 2024, Hardin County ran 62.3% adult, 22.1% yearling, and 15.6% fawn. A higher adult share points to a more mature age structure.
| Season | Adult | Yearling | Fawn | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 609 | 216 | 152 | 977 |
| 2023 | 678 | 248 | 148 | 1,074 |
| 2022 | 747 | 275 | 190 | 1,212 |
| 2021 | 683 | 237 | 198 | 1,118 |
| 2020 | 791 | 227 | 173 | 1,191 |
| 2019 | 931 | 263 | 222 | 1,416 |
| 2018 | 873 | 304 | 186 | 1,363 |
| 2017 | 958 | 279 | 248 | 1,485 |
| 2016 | 834 | 312 | 203 | 1,349 |
| 2015 | 929 | 297 | 271 | 1,497 |
| 2014 | 852 | 256 | 244 | 1,352 |
| 2013 | 895 | 295 | 252 | 1,442 |
| 2012 | 949 | 293 | 317 | 1,559 |
| 2011 | 1,041 | 346 | 280 | 1,667 |
| 2010 | 902 | 277 | 297 | 1,476 |
| 2009 | 919 | 306 | 272 | 1,497 |
| 2008 | 886 | 348 | 360 | 1,594 |
| 2007 | 934 | 335 | 385 | 1,654 |
| 2006 | 851 | 310 | 314 | 1,475 |
| 2005 | 874 | 328 | 324 | 1,526 |
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 Hardin 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: 101,719 acres (10 m estimate). Verify current season dates, permits, and site-specific rules with IDNR before hunting.
Where to hunt public in Hardin County
Full list on the Illinois public hunting land directory.
See Hardin 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 Hardin County, Illinois good for deer hunting?
Hardin County scores 27.6 of 100 on the FDR Deer Herd Index (D - Average), ranked #102 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 Hardin County?
Hardin 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 Hardin County, Illinois?
Yes: the Illinois public hunting land directory lists 1 site in Hardin County, including Cave-In-Rock State Park. Always verify current site regulations and permit requirements before hunting.
How many deer were harvested in Hardin County last season?
IDNR records show 977 deer harvested in Hardin County in 2024, the most recent reported season.