Illinois deer research / Union County

Union County, Illinois Deer Hunting Research

Southern IL region. FDR Deer Herd Index 31.9, ranked #96 of 102 Illinois counties. Built from IDNR public harvest records and the Trophy Index.

D - Average
31.9 / 100
FDR Herd Index
#96 of 102
Statewide rank
60↓
Trophy Index
218,387
Bow-huntable acres (10 m estimate)
2,162
2024 deer harvest

What drives the Union County index

Five weighted components, each scored 0–100 against all Illinois counties.

Habitat · 25%25
Herd quality · 30%59
Population · 18%27
Momentum · 12%3
Trophy history · 15%19

Trophy Index

60↓ 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

SeasonArcheryFirearmTotal
20248311,3312,162
20237901,3082,098
20229061,3062,212
20218461,2182,064
20209671,3552,322
20199441,3982,342
20188701,5022,372
20177961,6422,438
20167491,6982,447
20157932,0702,863
20149091,7752,684
20139211,8132,734
20127541,8972,651
20117152,1122,827
20107582,0192,777
20097692,2162,985
20087992,1642,963
20078232,3903,213
20067482,4023,150
20057662,2102,976

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: Union County averages 3.09 adult bucks harvested per 1,000 huntable acres (2005-2024).

See full Union County harvest charts →

Harvest by sex

IDNR records each harvested deer by sex. In 2024, Union County ran 1,243 bucks (males) and 919 does (females): 57.5% bucks.

SeasonBucks (M)Does (F)Total% bucks
20241,2439192,16257.5%
20231,1339652,09854%
20221,1301,0822,21251.1%
20211,1059592,06453.5%
20201,2541,0682,32254%
20191,1911,1512,34250.9%
20181,2741,0982,37253.7%
20171,3561,0822,43855.6%
20161,3251,1222,44754.1%
20151,5251,3382,86353.3%
20141,4131,2712,68452.6%
20131,5091,2252,73455.2%
20121,4371,2142,65154.2%
20111,3541,4732,82747.9%
20101,3891,3882,77750%
20091,4791,5062,98549.5%
20081,5051,4582,96350.8%
20071,7071,5063,21353.1%
20061,6721,4783,15053.1%
20051,6101,3662,97654.1%

See full Union County sex-composition chart →

Age structure

IDNR classifies each deer as adult, yearling (1.5-yr), or fawn. In 2024, Union County ran 69.7% adult, 18.6% yearling, and 11.7% fawn. A higher adult share points to a more mature age structure.

SeasonAdultYearlingFawnTotal
20241,5074022532,162
20231,4563782642,098
20221,5773313042,212
20211,4453572622,064
20201,6524162542,322
20191,6403983042,342
20181,6564412752,372
20171,5944843602,438
20161,6564723192,447
20151,9625443572,863
20141,7615014222,684
20131,7675344332,734
20121,6065714742,651
20111,8185095002,827
20101,7674975132,777
20091,9255195412,985
20081,8925675042,963
20072,0205626313,213
20061,9855616043,150
20051,7866185692,973

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 Union County composition charts →

Seasons & access

SeasonMethodDatesTags
Archery · Oct 1 to mid-Janarchery2026-10-01 → 2027-01-17otc
Firearm · 1st + 2nd Shotgun Seasonfirearm2026-11-20 → 2026-12-06otc
Muzzleloader · Decembermuzzleloader2026-12-11 → 2026-12-13otc

Bow-huntable land, public and private: 218,387 acres (10 m estimate). Verify current season dates, permits, and site-specific rules with IDNR before hunting.

Where to hunt public in Union County

Bald Knob Wilderness · 5,830 acClear Springs Wilderness · 4,739 acMiddle Mississippi Purchase Unit · 3,877 acCypress Pond State Natural Area · 1,056 acPanther Den Wilderness · 988 acOzark Hills Nature Preserve · 217 acLa Rue Swamp Nature Preserve · 149 acEphgrave Cave · 80 ac

Full list on the Illinois public hunting land directory.

See Union 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.

Open Fully Drawn Scout (free)See all Union County charts

Nearby counties

Pulaski · 30.9Alexander · 29.4Jackson · 30.2Johnson · 29Williamson · 36.6Massac · 37Franklin · 42.9Perry · 56.3
← #95 Kendall County#97 Pulaski County →

Frequently asked questions

Is Union County, Illinois good for deer hunting?

Union County scores 31.9 of 100 on the FDR Deer Herd Index (D - Average), ranked #96 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 Union County?

Union County has a Trophy Index of 60 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 Union County, Illinois?

Yes: the Illinois public hunting land directory lists 10 sites in Union County, including Bald Knob Wilderness, Clear Springs Wilderness, Middle Mississippi Purchase Unit. Always verify current site regulations and permit requirements before hunting.

How many deer were harvested in Union County last season?

IDNR records show 2,162 deer harvested in Union County in 2024, the most recent reported season.

Sources: Illinois DNR public harvest and public-land records; qualifying trophy bucks, each counted once, as the Trophy Index. Public-record data only: no private contact information, no landowner lists.

Fully Drawn Research is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Historical data and modeled indexes describe the past; they are not a promise of hunting outcomes. Always verify current seasons, permits, and site rules with IDNR before you hunt.

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