Illinois state lawmakers are getting involved in an effort to find out why the latest deer-hunting season saw such a decline in harvested animals and whether action is needed to increase the deer population.
State Representative Jerry Costello says members of the Legislature’s downstate caucus have met with Department of Natural Resources managers to discuss the issue. DNR told them the state may have overshot an earlier management goal to bring down deer numbers because of overpopulation. The higher numbers were blamed for increased crop damage and a spike in highway accidents.
Costello says DNR might adjust the deer-hunting seasons and regulations.