We review the national deer harvest trends discussed in the National Deer Association's Deer Report 2026. We look at age structure of harvested deer, sex ratios, and methods of take. We also see how Illinois compares to other stats. These states provide a window into how whitetail management is being conducted throughout the country.

The NDA Deer Report 2026: https://deerassociation.com/2026-deer-report/

Learn more about IL Learn to Hunt: https://linktr.ee/learntohuntil

The University of Illinois' Illinois Learn to Hunt program provides FREE educational content, training webinars, and workshops to teach ADULT participants how to hunt deer, turkey, squirrels, pheasants, ducks, geese and other game. The Hunting Illinois podcast provides educational discussions with experts, review of animal ecology, hunting strategies, and so much more. Make sure to register for free webinars and workshops through our website and follow us on Facebook for any updates on the program and Illinois hunting in general. It is never too late to learn how to hunt!

In this episode we go over some of our favorite outdoor personalities and trailblazers that we lost in 2025.

Learn more about IL Learn to Hunt: https://linktr.ee/learntohuntil

The University of Illinois' Illinois Learn to Hunt program provides FREE educational content, training webinars, and workshops to teach ADULT participants how to hunt deer, turkey, squirrels, pheasants, ducks, geese and other game. The Hunting Illinois podcast provides educational discussions with experts, review of animal ecology, hunting strategies, and so much more. Make sure to register for free webinars and workshops through our website and follow us on Facebook for any updates on the program and Illinois hunting in general. It is never too late to learn how to hunt!

In this episode we discuss a new article published in The Atlantic "Eat More Deer" where the author explores the topic of commercially selling wild game. We look at the article and talk about the history of how we got here and the role of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.

Read the article here: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/2026/01/deer-hunting-venison-sale/685537/

How to submit your windshield card: https://youtu.be/yOh5G_uGjB4

Learn more about IL Learn to Hunt: https://linktr.ee/learntohuntil

The University of Illinois' Illinois Learn to Hunt program provides FREE educational content, training webinars, and workshops to teach ADULT participants how to hunt deer, turkey, squirrels, pheasants, ducks, geese and other game. The Hunting Illinois podcast provides educational discussions with experts, review of animal ecology, hunting strategies, and so much more. Make sure to register for free webinars and workshops through our website and follow us on Facebook for any updates on the program and Illinois hunting in general. It is never too late to learn how to hunt!

Well, Deer Season is over... now what? What outdoor activities are still available? How do I get out and have fun now? This podcast has all the answers with a list of winter activities you can do before turkey season gets here. We also go over our latest mentored hunts and some outdoor news.

The eagle watching event: https://www.illinois.gov/news/release.html?releaseid=32075

How to submit your windshield card: https://youtu.be/yOh5G_uGjB4

Learn more about IL Learn to Hunt: https://linktr.ee/learntohuntil

The University of Illinois' Illinois Learn to Hunt program provides FREE educational content, training webinars, and workshops to teach ADULT participants how to hunt deer, turkey, squirrels, pheasants, ducks, geese and other game.

The Hunting Illinois podcast provides educational discussions with experts, review of animal ecology, hunting strategies, and so much more. Make sure to register for free webinars and workshops through our website and follow us on Facebook for any updates on the program and Illinois hunting in general. It is never too late to learn how to hunt!

The team shares how their personal firearm season's went and what they learned. We also talk about some mentored waterfowl and deer hunts that we have gone on.

Learn more about IL Learn to Hunt: https://linktr.ee/learntohuntil

The University of Illinois' Illinois Learn to Hunt program provides FREE educational content, training webinars, and workshops to teach ADULT participants how to hunt deer, turkey, squirrels, pheasants, ducks, geese and other game.

The Hunting Illinois podcast provides educational discussions with experts, review of animal ecology, hunting strategies, and so much more. Make sure to register for free webinars and workshops through our website and follow us on Facebook for any updates on the program and Illinois hunting in general. It is never too late to learn how to hunt!

Join us as Dan gives his update about another successful mentored hunt. Jason talks about how his crossbow blew up due to a de-cocking bolt issue. Curtis has seen some deer and Lauren plans to get out trapping this winter.

Deer Check station link: https://huntillinois.org/cwdmap

Learn more about IL Learn to Hunt: https://linktr.ee/learntohuntil

The University of Illinois' Illinois Learn to Hunt program provides FREE educational content, training webinars, and workshops to teach ADULT participants how to hunt deer, turkey, squirrels, pheasants, ducks, geese and other game. The Hunting Illinois podcast provides educational discussions with experts, review of animal ecology, hunting strategies, and so much more. Make sure to register for free webinars and workshops through our website and follow us on Facebook for any updates on the program and Illinois hunting in general. It is never too late to learn how to hunt!

Join us as we go over how much fun our first deer hunting camp was. This will be an annual trip now for sure! Hear from some of our IL Hunt Camp winners who got the opertunity to go out on some public land hunting with us for the first time.

In this epiisode we go over upcoming seasons and outdoor news, talk about how we scout new areas, and where we target deer in the early season.