Recent data shows for typical bucks in the last 10 years, Adams and JoDaviess counties are tied with 13 entries, while Fulton and Pike both have 10, Brown and Macoupin have nine, Schuyler eight, and Greene, McHenry and Rock Island each have seven entries.

For non-typical bucks, the last decade has seen most monsters coming out of Pike County with 16 entries. Fulton County notched 12 in this period, while Adams had 10, and Clark, McDonough and Schuyler each had six.

As far as records are concerned, Peoria County has had the distinction of producing the world-record typical bow buck with Melvin Johnson's 204 4/8-inch monster arrowed in 1965. In 1993, Brian Damery shot a 200 2/8-inch typical that made Illinois one of two states to have two 200-inch-class typicals under its belt. Closer to the present, Roger Mann brought down a 196 3/8-inch beast from Fulton County in 2004.

On the non-typical side, the largest buck from Illinois is Jerry Bryant's 304 3/8-inch behemoth from Fulton County in 2001. This also ranks fourth on B&C's all-time list. Scott Dexter shot a 295 3/8-inch non-typical in McDonough County in 2004, good enough for sixth on B&C's all-time report. Last season, Adams County gave up a 226 7/8-inch buck to Steve DeWitt.

HARVEST DENSITY
Because not all trophy bucks are entered into the aforementioned programs, antler enthusiasts are well advised to consider areas with high densities of deer. Greater numbers generally translate into a better chance to see big bucks, and when density data is used congruently with data from the BBRP, potential in some areas becomes very clear.

Calhoun County, with 11.2 white–tails killed per square mile, enjoys the absolute highest density of deer in Illinois. Pike County is second with 9.7, while Pope County is at 8.0 deer per square mile. Hardin County is at 7.8, Jefferson County 7.3, Johnson County 7.2 and Union County 7.0 deer per square mile. Brown's score is 6.8, Williamson 6.5, Schuyler and Randolph 6.2, Marion 5.8, JoDaviess 5.7, Perry 5.6, and Jackson, Franklin and Pulaski tied at 5.4. Jersey and Adams tied at 5.2, while Hamilton, Clay, Greene, Peoria, Fulton and Crawford round out the top 25 for density.

PUTTING IT TOGETHER
Taking trend data from the BBRP and combining it with harvest density, 26 counties scored in multiple categories constituting the main focus for Illinois trophy-buck hunters.

Adams, Pike, Peoria and Randolph counties scored in all categories of the analysis. Each county has an exceptional density of deer and has had good representation in the BBRP. Each of these should definitely be on your to-do list this year if you're a serious trophy hunter.

Scoring in four categories were Brown, Schuyler, Macoupin, Sangamon, Knox, Bureau, La Salle and Vermilion counties.

Brown and Schuyler speak for themselves. Bottom line is, there are as many trophy bucks per capita in these two counties as there are anywhere in the Prairie State.

La Salle County has been putting up excellent numbers recently, and with a relatively low density of deer, it's not hard to see where they are headed. Focus your efforts to the riparian areas of the Illinois, Fox, Vermilion and Little Vermilion rivers, and Big and Little Indian creeks.

Bureau County is similar to La Salle. Low densities likewise persist, so look along the waterways. Big Bureau Creek and the Illinois River are main thoroughfares.

Macoupin County is on the BBRP's all-time list plus the recent entry list. With half the county in timber, densities are likewise high, and a good number of B&C entries in the past 10 years have come from here, as well as a third 200-inch typical that is being scrutinized.

Similarly, Vermilion County is a perennial big-rack producer. Concentrate your efforts along one of the many branches of the Vermilion River.

Sangamon County can't be ignored either. The main focus here is the Sangamon River basin, but patchy woods in the southern third of the county and incidental riparian areas also hold big-racked whitetails.

Knox County rounds out the second tier of hotspots. The Spoon River basin is a great antler factory.

The final category consisted of counties that scored in two of the four areas of criterion.

Trophy-buck addicts should consider the Shawnee National Forest and all counties that reside within it, but especially Union County. The entire county is almost entirely public domain, and with a top ranking in the BBRP and deer density, this is a very high-percentage area -- even if recent numbers indicate otherwise.