10 Wild Animals You’re Most Likely to See in Illinois

Having lived in Illinois many times over the course of my life, I've seen and interacted with just about every possible specie of wildlife you can imagine. There are 10 wild animals that are the most likely you'll encounter if you are in or traveling through the state.

It's hard to rank the most common Illinois wildlife encounters because the frequency you'll see each of them depends on what part of the state you live in. If you have a farm especially in west-central Illinois, you'll see deer. Lots and lots of deer. There are obviously fewer in the metro areas of Illinois, but you'll still encounter a few of these critters even there.

My most recent stint in Illinois was a rural home we rented. Nearly every night, there would be coyotes howling and sometimes running across our yard and driveway. Deer were also common and there was a herd of possums that would scarf down whatever bird seed was under our feeders. They were so common we had names for each of them. I would also often see foxes near the rural roads close to dusk. That's not a complaint, by the way, as I love the wildlife that Illinois is home to. It's one of the nice extra benefits that come with living in the state.