Mercer County hunters harvested more than 600 deer during the first weekend of firearm deer season.
From Nov. 21-23, hunters in the county harvested a preliminary total of 627 deer, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. That number is up compared to the previous two years. Mercer County hunters harvested 542 deer during the first weekend of firearm deer season last year and 600 in 2023.
501 deer were harvested in Rock Island County, 371 in Henry County, 317 in Henderson County, 685 in Knox County, and 337 in Warren County.
Statewide, hunters took in 51,409 deer during the opening weekend of firearm deer season.
Illinois’ seven-day firearm deer season will conclude Thursday-Sunday.