USING THE DATA
As is always the case, crunching numbers leads to the identification of trends and patterns. Deer hunting success is no exception.

The state map on page 20 helps put all the data described above into a simple depiction of the hot zones. The top 20 counties have been identified on this map and cover two primary zones located in the northwest corner of Region IV and throughout Region V. Additionally, two new counties that showed up on our three-year pick list and all those counties identified as sleepers have been identified. They fall along the edges of these same hot zones.

It is no accident that there is a lopsided look to our mapping results. All those factors we mentioned earlier such as land ownership, topography, regulations, access issues and whatnot have a bearing on deer herd health and hunter success. There is no place in Illinois where a hunter can't bag a deer, but research and planning can go a long way toward increasing your odds.

So, how do we decipher all the numbers, percentages and trends that have been identified above to make an educated decision about where -- specifically -- to hunt?

Let's say you reside in the city of Peoria. Your schedule doesn't allow for an extended hunting trip but you want to enhance your chances for filling a tag. A drive of no more than an hour or so would work perfectly. So, start with the map on page 20.

COUNTIES WITH HIGHEST HUNTER SUCCESS RATES IN ILLINOIS
Scott	44.52%
White	43.79%
Edwards	43.57%
Lawrence	41.83%
Pulaski	41.53%
Richland	41.34%
Morgan	41.26%
Crawford	40.79%
Stark	40.19%
Henderson	40.10%
Statewide Average	35.81%

Just south of Peoria is Fulton County. It is listed No. 4 on our top 20 list for total deer harvest, has a firearms total that is within the top six and an archery total that is within the top three. Additionally, Fulton County is on the rise, showing a rank of No. 3 on our three-year list. Comparatively speaking, they're making a move toward the top. This might be a good choice if you don't mind sharing the woods with 7,000 other hunters.

Then again, our example county of Peoria made the three-year list this year. While the numbers aren't nearly so strong as those found in Fulton County, it is closer to you and the harvest trends are moving upward. There is good potential in this area, and lesser traveling distance has its advantages. There are also 3,000 fewer shotguns in the field than you'll find next door.

Finally, just to the north is Stark County. Granted, the numbers aren't all that impressive when compared to elsewhere. They give up just under 300 deer a year to firearms hunters and only another 150 to archers. However, they are on the "sleepers" list. With a success rate of 40.19 percent over the last decade, your chances for filling a tag here are better than average. For those who like more solitude, it is important to recognize as well that there will only be about 650 hunters throwing lead in the air. In my book, that's worth a bundle.

So there you have it.

Opportunities abound, and there is nowhere in Illinois where your odds are less than 1-in-5 of filling the freezer with venison. The bottom line is a question of the type of experience you desire and the liabilities you are willing to accept to increase your odds.

When it's all said and done, over 160,000 deer will grace dinner tables after this season from one end of the Prairie State to the other.

Have an enjoyable hunt, and bon appetit!