Be Safe As Illinois Firearm Deer Hunting Begins

As a non-hunter, I don't know the first thing about staying safe during deer season. Thankfully, the state of Illinois has experts to step in on my behalf.

The seven-day firearm deer-hunting season season starts Friday for a three-day period. A final four-day period beings December 3:

A statement from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources says there were 20 hunting accidents in all of 2014, with two deaths. Ten of the incidents involved falling tree stands.

IDNR Director Wayne Rosenthal says this is the busiest hunting season of the year. He adds the best way to enjoy it "is to be aware, be alert and be safe."

Hunting hours will be from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

Meanwhile, Wisconson's nine-day gun deer season starts Saturday morning. For the first time kill registrations will be paperless; all hunters will have to register their kills by phone or online.