Illinois deer research / Lee County
Lee County, Illinois Deer Hunting Research
Northern IL region. FDR Deer Herd Index 48, ranked #68 of 102 Illinois counties. Built from IDNR public harvest records and the Trophy Index.
C - Above AverageWhat drives the Lee County index
Five weighted components, each scored 0–100 against all Illinois counties.
Trophy Index
61↓ 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 | 588 | 728 | 1,493 |
| 2023 | 529 | 602 | 1,213 |
| 2022 | 466 | 544 | 1,128 |
| 2021 | 467 | 479 | 1,060 |
| 2020 | 504 | 651 | 1,155 |
| 2019 | 437 | 534 | 971 |
| 2018 | 400 | 612 | 1,012 |
| 2017 | 385 | 614 | 999 |
| 2016 | 410 | 634 | 1,044 |
| 2015 | 449 | 735 | 1,184 |
| 2014 | 446 | 671 | 1,117 |
| 2013 | 481 | 701 | 1,182 |
| 2012 | 434 | 916 | 1,350 |
| 2011 | 496 | 839 | 1,335 |
| 2010 | 521 | 781 | 1,302 |
| 2009 | 514 | 740 | 1,254 |
| 2008 | 476 | 822 | 1,298 |
| 2007 | 518 | 872 | 1,390 |
| 2006 | 493 | 946 | 1,439 |
| 2005 | 547 | 995 | 1,542 |
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: Lee County averages 0.66 adult bucks harvested per 1,000 huntable acres (2005-2024).
See full Lee County harvest charts →
Harvest by sex
IDNR records each harvested deer by sex. In 2024, Lee County ran 771 bucks (males) and 722 does (females): 51.6% bucks.
| Season | Bucks (M) | Does (F) | Total | % bucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 771 | 722 | 1,493 | 51.6% |
| 2023 | 747 | 466 | 1,213 | 61.6% |
| 2022 | 641 | 487 | 1,128 | 56.8% |
| 2021 | 605 | 455 | 1,060 | 57.1% |
| 2020 | 649 | 506 | 1,155 | 56.2% |
| 2019 | 544 | 427 | 971 | 56% |
| 2018 | 571 | 441 | 1,012 | 56.4% |
| 2017 | 532 | 467 | 999 | 53.3% |
| 2016 | 575 | 469 | 1,044 | 55.1% |
| 2015 | 631 | 553 | 1,184 | 53.3% |
| 2014 | 555 | 562 | 1,117 | 49.7% |
| 2013 | 578 | 604 | 1,182 | 48.9% |
| 2012 | 692 | 658 | 1,350 | 51.3% |
| 2011 | 660 | 675 | 1,335 | 49.4% |
| 2010 | 629 | 673 | 1,302 | 48.3% |
| 2009 | 612 | 642 | 1,254 | 48.8% |
| 2008 | 647 | 651 | 1,298 | 49.8% |
| 2007 | 691 | 699 | 1,390 | 49.7% |
| 2006 | 722 | 717 | 1,439 | 50.2% |
| 2005 | 814 | 728 | 1,542 | 52.8% |
See full Lee County sex-composition chart →
Age structure
IDNR classifies each deer as adult, yearling (1.5-yr), or fawn. In 2024, Lee County ran 64.9% adult, 18.1% yearling, and 17% fawn. A higher adult share points to a more mature age structure.
| Season | Adult | Yearling | Fawn | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 969 | 270 | 254 | 1,493 |
| 2023 | 763 | 277 | 173 | 1,213 |
| 2022 | 673 | 243 | 212 | 1,128 |
| 2021 | 644 | 235 | 181 | 1,060 |
| 2020 | 726 | 224 | 205 | 1,155 |
| 2019 | 593 | 216 | 162 | 971 |
| 2018 | 626 | 204 | 182 | 1,012 |
| 2017 | 626 | 198 | 175 | 999 |
| 2016 | 661 | 195 | 188 | 1,044 |
| 2015 | 728 | 220 | 236 | 1,184 |
| 2014 | 694 | 193 | 230 | 1,117 |
| 2013 | 704 | 178 | 300 | 1,182 |
| 2012 | 821 | 212 | 317 | 1,350 |
| 2011 | 808 | 235 | 292 | 1,335 |
| 2010 | 774 | 199 | 329 | 1,302 |
| 2009 | 731 | 203 | 320 | 1,254 |
| 2008 | 768 | 205 | 325 | 1,298 |
| 2007 | 836 | 218 | 336 | 1,390 |
| 2006 | 825 | 229 | 385 | 1,439 |
| 2005 | 928 | 250 | 363 | 1,541 |
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 Lee 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: 396,299 acres (10 m estimate). Verify current season dates, permits, and site-specific rules with IDNR before hunting.
Where to hunt public in Lee County
Full list on the Illinois public hunting land directory.
See Lee 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 Lee County, Illinois good for deer hunting?
Lee County scores 48 of 100 on the FDR Deer Herd Index (C - Above Average), ranked #68 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 Lee County?
Lee County has a Trophy Index of 61 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 Lee County, Illinois?
Yes: the Illinois public hunting land directory lists 7 sites in Lee County, including Green River State Wildlife Area, Richardson Wildlife Preserve, Franklin Creek State Natural Area. Always verify current site regulations and permit requirements before hunting.
How many deer were harvested in Lee County last season?
IDNR records show 1,493 deer harvested in Lee County in 2024, the most recent reported season.