Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie responded on April 17 to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ decision to pause its targeted deer culling, also known as the sharpshooting program. The department cited the spread of chronic wasting disease in more counties and concerns about the effectiveness of sharpshooting as reasons for suspending the program.
The issue is important because chronic wasting disease poses a threat to deer populations, and management strategies can affect both wildlife health and local communities. The state’s approach has drawn attention from hunters, landowners, and residents who are impacted by changes in wildlife management.
In her statement, McCombie said: “While IDNR had the best intentions with this program, the shift in strategy of sharpshooting is the best step forward.” She continued: “Sharpshooting has increasingly become a concern—impacting herd health, disrupting deer populations, and creating real challenges for landowners. A one-size-fits-all approach does not work and the concerns from hunters, landowners, and local communities in northwest Illinois spoke volumes.”
McCombie also called for more involvement from stakeholders: “This is an opportunity to take a step back, listen to stakeholders on the ground, and develop a more balanced, locally informed strategy that protects both the health of the herd and the rights of those who live and work closest to it.”
McCombie was elected as a Republican representative for Illinois’ 89th House District in 2023 after replacing Andrew Chesney according to Ballotpedia.
Looking ahead, McCombie said she intends “to more community-based discussions with hunters and landowners to assess what more can be done legislatively to address deer management and the state’s CWD response.”
