Region 3
Region 3 saw approximately 10 percent of the state's harvest. It supports an average density of 1.8 deer harvested per square mile. No county made the top 25 for harvest or density, but quite a few made it for harvest increase and hunter success. For harvest increase, Livingston, Iroquois, Vermillion, Macon, Coles, Edgar and Clark counties saw a top rating. For hunter success, Iroquois, Champaign, Moultrie, Shelby, Cumberland and Clark counties made the top 25. For overall harvest, Shelby County tabbed 2,542 deer, followed closely by Clark with 2,535 and Vermilion with 2,245. Other noteworthy areas were Iroquois, McLean, Edgar, DeWitt, Edgar, Coles and Cumberland counties each bringing in more than 1,000 whitetails.

Region 4
Responsible for 32 percent of the Prairie State's total deer harvest, describing where not to hunt in Region 4 is simpler than figuring where to hunt. Practically every county is a hotspot, but some are better than others.

The six-county region of Hancock, Adams, Pike, Calhoun, Schuyler and Brown counties boast some of the highest harvest and densities in the state and nation. Public land is readily available in most areas and chances for success are high. This area, about 3,492 square miles, is responsible for 12 percent of the state's entire harvest and sports a density of 7.3 deer harvested per square mile.

Aside from the famed Golden Triangle and its periphery, Randolph County ranked high in the overall compilation with a third-place ranking in the state. Greene County had a mark for both overall harvest and hunter success. Macoupin County did not make the top 25 this year but was ranked seventh in the state for overall harvest. Both Logan and Christian counties observed a marked increase in harvest over 2006, and Washington County boasted a top ranking for hunter success rates.

Region 5
In 2007, Region 5 was responsible for 30 percent of the state's harvest. It calculated a density of 5.3 deer harvested per square mile. The region to watch here is the quadrangle area of Fayette, Marion, Jefferson and Wayne counties. Collectively, this area observed 7 percent of the state's entire harvest. This translates into six deer killed per square mile. Additionally the four-county area of Jackson, Williamson, Johnson and Pope counties rank high in harvest and have almost unlimited public access in the Shawnee National Forest. Nearly six deer per square mile are harvested in this small region.

Other noteworthy areas in Region 5 include Hardin County, the state's second smallest district, that recorded nearly eight deer per square mile, plus there's good access in the Shawnee. Perry County scored in three categories, just missing a top 25 ranking. It had a mark for overall harvest, density and hunter success. Hamilton County is a deer magnet with a ranking as one of the state's highest densities and areas for hunter success. Jasper saw a spike in harvest over 2006 and also was a top county for hunter success. Clay missed the top 25 for harvest, but made it for density. It also had a top ranking for hunter success. Richland, Edwards and White counties each had a mark for hunter success.

The 2008 season and future look bright for Illinois deer hunters. Regardless of how you enjoy hunting or where you live, great opportunity is right out your back door.