Illinois deer research / McHenry County
McHenry County, Illinois Deer Hunting Research
Northern IL region. FDR Deer Herd Index 37.6, ranked #91 of 102 Illinois counties. Built from IDNR public harvest records and the Trophy Index.
D - AverageWhat drives the McHenry County index
Five weighted components, each scored 0–100 against all Illinois counties.
Trophy Index
95↓ 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 | 851 | 249 | 1,177 |
| 2023 | 694 | 273 | 1,006 |
| 2022 | 669 | 224 | 953 |
| 2021 | 644 | 252 | 962 |
| 2020 | 662 | 317 | 1,045 |
| 2019 | 582 | 248 | 873 |
| 2018 | 562 | 291 | 915 |
| 2017 | 502 | 310 | 842 |
| 2016 | 526 | 283 | 908 |
| 2015 | 599 | 334 | 1,039 |
| 2014 | 526 | 327 | 960 |
| 2013 | 541 | 279 | 897 |
| 2012 | 561 | 438 | 1,066 |
| 2011 | 575 | 352 | 989 |
| 2010 | 583 | 304 | 948 |
| 2009 | 621 | 397 | 1,140 |
| 2008 | 585 | 397 | 1,070 |
| 2007 | 616 | 573 | 1,267 |
| 2006 | 632 | 503 | 1,265 |
| 2005 | 612 | 597 | 1,254 |
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: McHenry County averages 1.33 adult bucks harvested per 1,000 huntable acres (2005-2024).
See full McHenry County harvest charts →
Harvest by sex
IDNR records each harvested deer by sex. In 2024, McHenry County ran 722 bucks (males) and 455 does (females): 61.3% bucks.
| Season | Bucks (M) | Does (F) | Total | % bucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 722 | 455 | 1,177 | 61.3% |
| 2023 | 638 | 368 | 1,006 | 63.4% |
| 2022 | 607 | 346 | 953 | 63.7% |
| 2021 | 632 | 330 | 962 | 65.7% |
| 2020 | 660 | 385 | 1,045 | 63.2% |
| 2019 | 595 | 278 | 873 | 68.2% |
| 2018 | 567 | 348 | 915 | 62% |
| 2017 | 546 | 296 | 842 | 64.8% |
| 2016 | 562 | 346 | 908 | 61.9% |
| 2015 | 612 | 427 | 1,039 | 58.9% |
| 2014 | 585 | 375 | 960 | 60.9% |
| 2013 | 517 | 380 | 897 | 57.6% |
| 2012 | 579 | 487 | 1,066 | 54.3% |
| 2011 | 561 | 428 | 989 | 56.7% |
| 2010 | 507 | 441 | 948 | 53.5% |
| 2009 | 617 | 523 | 1,140 | 54.1% |
| 2008 | 545 | 525 | 1,070 | 50.9% |
| 2007 | 711 | 556 | 1,267 | 56.1% |
| 2006 | 661 | 604 | 1,265 | 52.3% |
| 2005 | 716 | 538 | 1,254 | 57.1% |
See full McHenry County sex-composition chart →
Age structure
IDNR classifies each deer as adult, yearling (1.5-yr), or fawn. In 2024, McHenry County ran 62.5% adult, 24.4% yearling, and 13.1% fawn. A higher adult share points to a more mature age structure.
| Season | Adult | Yearling | Fawn | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 736 | 287 | 154 | 1,177 |
| 2023 | 652 | 226 | 128 | 1,006 |
| 2022 | 590 | 232 | 130 | 952 |
| 2021 | 574 | 256 | 132 | 962 |
| 2020 | 647 | 243 | 155 | 1,045 |
| 2019 | 545 | 226 | 102 | 873 |
| 2018 | 583 | 230 | 102 | 915 |
| 2017 | 494 | 245 | 103 | 842 |
| 2016 | 479 | 241 | 188 | 908 |
| 2015 | 627 | 242 | 170 | 1,039 |
| 2014 | 524 | 274 | 162 | 960 |
| 2013 | 487 | 240 | 170 | 897 |
| 2012 | 621 | 219 | 226 | 1,066 |
| 2011 | 557 | 241 | 191 | 989 |
| 2010 | 575 | 189 | 184 | 948 |
| 2009 | 671 | 240 | 228 | 1,139 |
| 2008 | 642 | 225 | 199 | 1,066 |
| 2007 | 705 | 265 | 296 | 1,266 |
| 2006 | 715 | 264 | 273 | 1,252 |
| 2005 | 721 | 238 | 282 | 1,241 |
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 McHenry 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: 195,978 acres (10 m estimate). Verify current season dates, permits, and site-specific rules with IDNR before hunting.
Where to hunt public in McHenry County
Full list on the Illinois public hunting land directory.
See McHenry 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 McHenry County, Illinois good for deer hunting?
McHenry County scores 37.6 of 100 on the FDR Deer Herd Index (D - Average), ranked #91 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 McHenry County?
McHenry County has a Trophy Index of 95 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 McHenry County, Illinois?
Yes: the Illinois public hunting land directory lists 21 sites in McHenry County, including Pleasant Valley 11, Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, Glacial Park Nature Preserve. Always verify current site regulations and permit requirements before hunting.
How many deer were harvested in McHenry County last season?
IDNR records show 1,177 deer harvested in McHenry County in 2024, the most recent reported season.