Jo Daviess scored high with tabulation in harvest density, two-year BBRP trends and all-time Boone and Crockett entries. Bureau County has been putting up the numbers of bucks in BBRP trends recently. Knox County has tabulation in all descriptors of the BBRP. LaSalle County is on the all-time BBRP list and had marks in both recent and two-year entries. And both Woodford and Tazewell counties found numeration in all areas of BBRP analysis.

Other noteworthy areas in Region 1 include Putnam County. This is the smallest district in the state, but it has one of the highest deer densities and has been putting up some numbers to the BBRP recently. Both Marshall and Henry counties have been leaders for recent BBRP entries.

Region 2
Urban sprawl around Chicagoland reduces areas to pursue trophy bucks, but McHenry County enjoys status as one of the top 10 counties in the nation for trophy buck entries to the B&C and BBRP. Although recent numbers have been somewhat low, this is still a primo area for trophy backyard buck enthusiasts. Will County scored in both recent entries and two-year trend data to the BBRP. There's plenty of public access as well. And Grundy County has had entries in both typical and non-typical categories in 2006 and 2007. In 2006, it had the largest non-typical submitted to the BBRP, and there's quite a bit of public access.

Region 3
Two counties in Region 3 scored in four out of the six descriptive categories. Vermilion County had representation in all areas of BBRP analysis, as well as representation as a top Boone and Crockett county. McLean County is on the BBRP and B&C all-time lists and received a score for recent BBRP entries.

OUR ALL-TIME TOP COUNTIES FOR TROPHIES
COUNTY	ENTRIES
1. Pike	335
2. Adams	326
3. Fulton	244
4. Vermillion	235
5. Peoria	225
6. LaSalle	208
7. Knox	203
7. McLean	203
9. Clark	201
10. Brown	200
11. Randolph	187
11. Montgomery	187
13. Schuyler	186
14. McHenry	179
15. Sangamon	178
16. Macoupin	177
17. Bureau	165
18. Fayette	144
19. Union	137
20. Tazewell	134
21. Iroquois	131
22. Woodford	130
23. Mason	129
24. Hancock	125
25. Richland	124

Other areas that scored in one or two areas of the analysis are Champaign County and Macon County, which has representation in both areas of recent entries to the BBRP. Livingston County was on top for two-year trend data. De Witt was a leader for entries in 2007. And Clark County is one of the top areas for all-time entries to both the BBRP and B&C.

Region 4
When looking at Region 4, top honors go to the counties of the Golden Triangle and the periphery of Adams, Pike, Brown, Schuyler, Calhoun and Hancock counties. Pike County was one of three counties statewide to score in all areas of the analysis and constitutes perhaps the best potential to connect with a big buck. In Pike and Adams counties, hills, ravines, bluffs and intermittent fields scattered throughout make prime habitat. Calhoun County has a bumper sticker that says "Calhoun County: Where the Big Bucks Play," adequately summarizing its potential. With the absolute highest densities in the state, this is an area that should be considered by any serious buck hunter. There's plenty of public ground too. Brown County looks much like Pike in topography. Potential is high with little public ground. Schuyler is much the same, giving anybody who can find a place to hunt a good shot at a nice rack.

Biologist Deck Major offered some advice for anybody wanting to access the hotbed of western Illinois.

"I tell most everybody who asks about access to private ground to come down and spend some time driving around. Get a plat book and knock on some doors. It's tough, but there are hunters that get on some of the best ground."

As for private ground, Major gives similar advice.

"Some of our biggest deer are taken from our public-hunting areas by hunters that do their homework," he said. "Scout out the most reclusive and out of the way, or even unassuming, places within public-hunting areas. The biggest deer are going to be where the fewest people go, and they tend to hide in the most unobvious places when the pressure is on. The guys who can think like a deer often are able to find success."

Additionally Macoupin County scored in four out of the five categories, just missing a top 20 ranking for density. Sangamon County is a top producer for BBRP with representation on the all-time list, as well as both categories of recent entries. Menard County had a score for recent entries into the BBRP.