PEORIA COUNTY - As deer hunting season starts with a bang, area agencies are pushing for safety first. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says 360,000 firearm permits have been issued so far, but they're pushing for safety as shotgun season starts Friday and ends Sunday. The firearm season runs December 3rd through the 6th. The economy hasn't had an effect on presley's outdoors shop, they say area hunters are stocking up. Hunters must register any deer they take online or on the phone. 2008's deer hunting season brought in 106,000 deer.