Early History

• Women crafted tools from antlers.deer antler image by CraterValley Photo from Fotolia.com
  
  Native Americans, who lived in Illinois for 12,000 years before the arrival of European settlers hunted deer for their survival. In Indian settlements such as Cahokia, whitetail deer accounted for 95 percent of the tribe's meat supply. Tribal members made clothing: moccasins, trousers, tunics and dresses from deerskin. Skilled laborers carved tools from antlers and deer bone. During leisure time, Illinois Indians created symbolic paintings on deer hide. Four deerskin paintings from Illinois are on display in the Musee de l'Homme in Paris.
  
  

European Arrivals

• In the 17th century French explorers hunted deer in Chicago.bean, chicago image by rese3282 from Fotolia.com
  
  Large-scale deer hunting began when Europeans arrived in Illinois. In 1674 Catholic missionary Father Jacques Marquette wrote in his diary that "deer hunting was very good" on land that became Chicago's Millennium Park. Native Americans accustomed to dealing with French fur traders often approached Father Marquette's group hoping to exchange deer meat and skins for tobacco. Expansion of trade between French settlements and Native Americans led to over hunting. Self-sufficient Native Americans became dependent upon Europeans and the demand for deer hides began to exceed the supply.
  
  

Farming and Habitat Destruction

• Farming reduced natural habitat of deer in Illinois.green line2 image by jeancliclac from Fotolia.com
  
  When Illinois was awarded statehood in 1818, immigrants from Eastern states and Europe purchased cheap land they cleared for farming, destroying deer habitat in the process. This backbreaking work was made easier when an Illinois blacksmith, ironically named John Deere, invented a steel plow that increased production. Within two decades the population of Illinois doubled in large part because of improved farming techniques. Deer hunting continued but the supply diminished as their natural habitat disappeared.
  
  

Twentieth Century Ban

• A temporary ban on deer hunting in Illinois lasted for more than 50 years.no hunting sign image by sonya etchison from Fotolia.com
  
  By the 20th century the Illinois deer population faced extinction. In 1901, the Illinois legislature placed a temporary ban on deer hunting, with an expectation that the number of deer would increase through natural reproduction. It did not. The ban on deer hunting continued and the DNR realized it had a problem. In the 1930s the state began slowly rebuilding herds by breeding deer on state-run game farms and releasing them throughout the state. By 1957 Illinois had sufficient stock to lift the ban on deer hunting.
  
  

Current Conditions

• Deer hunting season begins each winter.hunting image by Katrina Miller from Fotolia.com
  
  Each winter the Illinois Department of Resources opens deer hunting season for a period of time determined by wildlife management projections. The state allows hunting by shotgun, muzzle loader, bow and arrow or crossbow. All hunters must obtain a permit that limits harvest of one deer.