Illinois deer research / McLean County
McLean County, Illinois Deer Hunting Research
Central IL region. FDR Deer Herd Index 56.8, ranked #30 of 102 Illinois counties. Built from IDNR public harvest records and the Trophy Index.
B - StrongWhat drives the McLean County index
Five weighted components, each scored 0–100 against all Illinois counties.
Trophy Index
58↓ 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 | 694 | 734 | 1,428 |
| 2023 | 645 | 652 | 1,297 |
| 2022 | 589 | 576 | 1,165 |
| 2021 | 516 | 568 | 1,084 |
| 2020 | 623 | 689 | 1,312 |
| 2019 | 720 | 573 | 1,293 |
| 2018 | 529 | 636 | 1,165 |
| 2017 | 496 | 577 | 1,073 |
| 2016 | 460 | 630 | 1,090 |
| 2015 | 462 | 707 | 1,169 |
| 2014 | 504 | 675 | 1,179 |
| 2013 | 531 | 690 | 1,221 |
| 2012 | 608 | 1,022 | 1,630 |
| 2011 | 603 | 923 | 1,526 |
| 2010 | 692 | 996 | 1,688 |
| 2009 | 585 | 935 | 1,520 |
| 2008 | 675 | 899 | 1,574 |
| 2007 | 591 | 914 | 1,505 |
| 2006 | 520 | 914 | 1,434 |
| 2005 | 579 | 927 | 1,506 |
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: McLean County averages 0.53 adult bucks harvested per 1,000 huntable acres (2005-2024).
See full McLean County harvest charts →
Harvest by sex
IDNR records each harvested deer by sex. In 2024, McLean County ran 762 bucks (males) and 666 does (females): 53.4% bucks.
| Season | Bucks (M) | Does (F) | Total | % bucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 762 | 666 | 1,428 | 53.4% |
| 2023 | 785 | 512 | 1,297 | 60.5% |
| 2022 | 651 | 514 | 1,165 | 55.9% |
| 2021 | 608 | 476 | 1,084 | 56.1% |
| 2020 | 736 | 576 | 1,312 | 56.1% |
| 2019 | 645 | 648 | 1,293 | 49.9% |
| 2018 | 620 | 545 | 1,165 | 53.2% |
| 2017 | 564 | 509 | 1,073 | 52.6% |
| 2016 | 590 | 500 | 1,090 | 54.1% |
| 2015 | 618 | 551 | 1,169 | 52.9% |
| 2014 | 630 | 549 | 1,179 | 53.4% |
| 2013 | 595 | 626 | 1,221 | 48.7% |
| 2012 | 808 | 822 | 1,630 | 49.6% |
| 2011 | 757 | 769 | 1,526 | 49.6% |
| 2010 | 843 | 845 | 1,688 | 49.9% |
| 2009 | 734 | 786 | 1,520 | 48.3% |
| 2008 | 735 | 839 | 1,574 | 46.7% |
| 2007 | 787 | 718 | 1,505 | 52.3% |
| 2006 | 732 | 702 | 1,434 | 51% |
| 2005 | 794 | 712 | 1,506 | 52.7% |
See full McLean County sex-composition chart →
Age structure
IDNR classifies each deer as adult, yearling (1.5-yr), or fawn. In 2024, McLean County ran 69.4% adult, 17.5% yearling, and 13.1% fawn. A higher adult share points to a more mature age structure.
| Season | Adult | Yearling | Fawn | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 991 | 250 | 187 | 1,428 |
| 2023 | 926 | 225 | 146 | 1,297 |
| 2022 | 819 | 210 | 136 | 1,165 |
| 2021 | 756 | 200 | 128 | 1,084 |
| 2020 | 889 | 249 | 174 | 1,312 |
| 2019 | 917 | 219 | 157 | 1,293 |
| 2018 | 791 | 200 | 174 | 1,165 |
| 2017 | 701 | 194 | 178 | 1,073 |
| 2016 | 744 | 183 | 163 | 1,090 |
| 2015 | 761 | 202 | 206 | 1,169 |
| 2014 | 764 | 183 | 232 | 1,179 |
| 2013 | 770 | 182 | 269 | 1,221 |
| 2012 | 1,095 | 222 | 313 | 1,630 |
| 2011 | 1,001 | 206 | 319 | 1,526 |
| 2010 | 1,067 | 225 | 396 | 1,688 |
| 2009 | 925 | 188 | 407 | 1,520 |
| 2008 | 1,012 | 218 | 344 | 1,574 |
| 2007 | 963 | 228 | 314 | 1,505 |
| 2006 | 871 | 233 | 330 | 1,434 |
| 2005 | 950 | 221 | 333 | 1,504 |
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 McLean 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: 639,237 acres (10 m estimate). Verify current season dates, permits, and site-specific rules with IDNR before hunting.
Where to hunt public in McLean County
Full list on the Illinois public hunting land directory.
See McLean 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 McLean County, Illinois good for deer hunting?
McLean County scores 56.8 of 100 on the FDR Deer Herd Index (B - Strong), ranked #30 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 McLean County?
McLean County has a Trophy Index of 58 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 McLean County, Illinois?
Yes: the Illinois public hunting land directory lists 11 sites in McLean County, including Moraine View State Recreational Area, Merwin Preserve, Saybrook State Habitat Area. Always verify current site regulations and permit requirements before hunting.
How many deer were harvested in McLean County last season?
IDNR records show 1,428 deer harvested in McLean County in 2024, the most recent reported season.