Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 50,300 deer during the first weekend of the Illinois firearm deer season between Nov. 19-21. Comparatively, hunters took 47,147 deer during the first firearm weekend in 2020.

The Macoupin County total was 1,038 compared to 987 in 2020. Madison County had a total of 470 this year compared to 379 in 2020. Montgomery County's total was 579 compared to 520 in 2020.

Illinois’ seven-day firearm deer season concluded Dec. 2-5. Other deer hunting opportunities in the weeks ahead include:

• Muzzleloader-only deer season Dec. 10-12;

• Late-w...