Deer Hunting in Union County, Illinois

Union County, Illinois hunters harvested 2,162 deer in the 2024-2025 season, about 5.2 per square mile, 18th in the state. The county is roughly 19% public land.

Updated August 2026
buck-heavy harvest
Harvest Split
2,162 total deer
Antlered1,243
Antlerless919
See the state's top harvest counties →
Density
5.2 deer / sq mi
This county5.2
Illinois avg3.3
See the densest counties in Illinois →
County Rank
#18 of 102
Most harvestLeast harvest
#17 Pike County
#18 Union County
#19 Fayette County
See the full state ranking →
Public Land
19% public — 49,292 acres
National Forest
39,915 ac
81%
National Wildlife Refuge
7,925 ac
16%
State Wildlife/Conservation Area
1,390 ac
3%
Local/Metropark
62 ac
0%
See counties with the most public land →
Full History
Every reported season
SeasonAntleredAntlerlessTotal
2024-20251,2439192,162

Harvest source: dnr.illinois.gov

Harvest figures for Union County are compiled from the state wildlife agency's published county reports and can be revised.

Season Dates
Illinois deer season, 2025-2026

Illinois deer and turkey season dates are listed on the Illinois season page. Harvest figures reflect the 2025-2026 season published by the Illinois wildlife agency and can be revised — always verify current regulations before you hunt.

Nearby
Counties bordering Union County
Dig deeper in Ember
Scout in Ember
Night

Scout Union County in Ember

These are county-wide numbers. Drop your stands in Ember and it scores each one by terrain, wind, water, and your own history — the Breakdown that county totals can't give you.

Get Ember