By KEVIN BESSLER

Illinois Radio Network

SPTINGFIELD, Ill. (IRN) — Illinois farmers now have an easier path to deal with deer that are causing damage to their crops.

A measure passed the General Assembly that would implement new rules for the Deer Removal Permit (DRP). The measure includes two new provisions for nuisance permitting, allowing landowners experiencing crop damage further opportunities to destroy deer, and will allow anyone to destroy deer on behalf of a landowner with a permit.

“One of the largest complaints I get as I traveled the state the last several years is the increase in significant damage wildlife is doing to our farmer’s crops,” said Brian Duncan, president of the Illinois Farm Bureau.

Duncan estimates that damage to crops is close to $500,000,000.

The legislation was sponsored by state Sen. Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg.

“This legislation provides common-sense tools to manage that growth while ensuring taxpayer resources are used more efficiently,” said Fowler in a statement.

Another provision allows landowners to designate a hunter to receive one guest landowner permit, which includes one either-sex permit and one antlerless permit for every 240 acres owned in Illinois.

The Illinois deer population in 2024 is estimated to be around 730,000. That is up from 680,000 just two years earlier.

“This legislation will provide farmers with effective tools to help manage deer populations and protect farmland across the state,” said Duncan.

If signed by the governor, the measure goes into effect Jan. 1.