Illinois Nearly Lost Its State Animal Before a Remarkable Comeback

Relocating deer from the Horseshoe Lake wildlife refuge and importing animals from other states helped Illinois rebuild its white-tailed deer population; estimates rose from near zero around 1900 to about 600,000–700,000 today.

White-tailed deer were once widespread in the lands now called Illinois and later became the state's official animal after a schoolchildren's vote. Populations fell sharply after European settlement because of unregulated hunting and habitat loss, leaving deer nearly absent by the late 1800s. The state responded with conservation measures, including a hunting moratorium in 1901 and the creation of a game farm in 1903. Relocations from the Horseshoe Lake wildlife refuge and imports from other states supported repopulation through the mid-20th century. Key facts: - Schoolchildren voted for the white-tailed deer and the choice was made official by Public Act 87-273 on January 1, 1982. - By the late 1800s white-tailed deer were nearly extirpated in Illinois; a moratorium on deer hunting enacted in 1901 remained in place for 56 years. - Illinois opened its first official game farm in 1903 and revised fish and game laws between 1923 and 1927; the Horseshoe Lake wildlife refuge was established during that period. - Deer were imported from other states and animals were relocated from Horseshoe Lake to support recovery; by 1940 the state's deer population was estimated at about 500. - Populations grew to nearly 20,000 by the 1960s and are estimated today at roughly 600,000 to 700,000. Summary: The revival of Illinois' white-tailed deer restored a species that had nearly disappeared and led to its recognition as the state's official animal. Undetermined at this time.