Shotgun deer hunters head out

Perry County-area deer hunters head to the field Friday for the start of a three-day shotgun season. There will be a total of seven days of shotgun hunting this season. A final four-day period starts Dec. 3.

Bow hunting season runs continuously through January 17, 2015.

Last year, hunters bagged a total of 2,050 deer in Perry County.

The youth hunt saw 39 deer harvested with 64 during the muzzleloading season, 1,151 harvested during the firearm seasons and 796 harvested by bowhunters. Statewide, hunters harvested a total of 145,720 deer.

The harvest ratio was 58.3 percent antlerless and 41.7% antlered.

2005 Was Best Deer

Hunting in Illinois

2005 was the largest deer hunting harvest on record with 201,209 whitetails being taken.

Illinois authorities are urging hunters to be safe as firearm deer-hunting season gets underway.

Monday's statement from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources says there were 20 hunting accidents in all of 2014, with two deaths. Ten of the incidents involved falling tree stands.

IDNR Director Wayne Rosenthal says this is the busiest hunting season of the year. He adds the best way to enjoy it "is to be aware, be alert and be safe."

The IDNR says hunters using trees stands should secure themselves with harnesses. Among other safety reminders: Always assume a gun is loaded.

Hunting hours will be from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.