De Voss-Foster Wildlife Area: hunting and access
De Voss-Foster Wildlife Area is 330 acres of public hunting land in Van Buren County, next to Cantril, managed by the DNR's wildlife bureau. Hunters reported 2,181 deer in Van Buren County in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: the DNR's public hunting area data, read 2026-10. Harvest: Iowa DNR harvest reporting, 2021 to 2025.
Public hunting areas on the DNR atlasDe Voss-Foster Wildlife AreaCounty lineHighway
| Size | 330 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Van Buren County |
| Deer harvest unit | Van Buren County |
| DNR lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Waterfowl and Dove |
| Managed by | the DNR's wildlife bureau |
| Habitat (DNR) | 1/6 Wetland, 1/2 Grassland, 1/3 Timber |
| DNR contact | Sugema Wildlife Unit |
| Nearest towns | Cantril (next to it), Milton (4 mi) and Mount Sterling (7 mi) |
What is De Voss-Foster Wildlife Area like?
The DNR describes the habitat as 1/6 wetland, 1/2 grassland, 1/3 timber.
From the DNR's Hunting Atlas layer.
What can you hunt on De Voss-Foster Wildlife Area?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey, waterfowl and dove for De Voss-Foster Wildlife Area.
What are the rules on De Voss-Foster Wildlife Area?
Iowa's general hunting rules apply, and some DNR land is a posted wildlife refuge closed during set seasons; Iowa DNR wildlife management areas has area maps.
How many deer are taken around De Voss-Foster Wildlife Area?
De Voss-Foster Wildlife Area lies in Van Buren County. Hunters reported 2,181 deer in Van Buren County in 2025, against 2,365 in 2024.
| County | De Voss-Foster Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Van Buren County | 330 | 2,181 | 2,365 | 2,427 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the hunting area alone: Iowa DNR harvest reporting (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to De Voss-Foster Wildlife Area?
The DNR's directions: On Hwy 2 N of Cantril.
Nearest towns: Cantril (next to it), Milton (4 miles), Mount Sterling (7 miles) and Keosauqua (8 miles). Highways within 5 miles: IA 2.
What other public land is near De Voss-Foster Wildlife Area?
Public hunting areas within 10 miles:
- Lake Sugema Wildlife Area: 2,396 acres, 2.2 miles away
- Lake Sugema - CCB: 1,468 acres, 2.7 miles away
- Shimek State Forest - Keosauqua Unit: 1,042 acres, 4 miles away
- Daughrity Timber: 83 acres, 5.7 miles away
- Chequest Wildlife Area: 120 acres, 6.7 miles away
- Fox River Wildlife Area: 810 acres, 7.1 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of De Voss-Foster Wildlife Area
Counting De Voss-Foster Wildlife Area itself, 958 of the 24,356 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (3.9%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| Public hunting areas on the DNR atlas | 958 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is De Voss-Foster Wildlife Area?
In Van Buren County, next to Cantril.
What can you hunt on De Voss-Foster Wildlife Area?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey, waterfowl and dove.
How much public land is around De Voss-Foster Wildlife Area?
958 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, De Voss-Foster Wildlife Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries. The closest other public hunting area is Lake Sugema Wildlife Area (2.2 miles).
Get a Iowa hunt plan when they open
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Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Iowa included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: Iowa DNR public hunting areas (Hunting Atlas layer).
- Boundary and acres: the DNR's map layer above. Surrounding public land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public) and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries.
- Deer harvest: Iowa DNR harvest reporting (2021 to 2025 seasons).
FilledTag is not part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Check the DNR's rules and posted signs before you go.