Good Neighbors Marsh: hunting and access
Good Neighbors Marsh is 1,471 acres of public hunting land in Winnebago County, 2 miles from Thompson, managed by the DNR's wildlife bureau. Hunters reported 338 deer in Winnebago 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 atlasCounty conservation board and city landIHAP landGood Neighbors MarshCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 1,471 acres in 4 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Winnebago County |
| Deer harvest unit | Winnebago County |
| DNR lists for hunting | Deer, Pheasant, Waterfowl and Rabbit |
| Managed by | the DNR's wildlife bureau |
| Habitat (DNR) | 1/3 Marsh, 2/3 Upland |
| Nontoxic shot | Required (DNR) |
| DNR contact | Clear Lake Wildlife Unit |
| Nearest towns | Thompson (2 mi), Leland (3 mi) and Scarville (6 mi) |
What is Good Neighbors Marsh like?
The DNR describes the habitat as 1/3 marsh, 2/3 upland.
From the DNR's Hunting Atlas layer.
What can you hunt on Good Neighbors Marsh?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, pheasant, waterfowl and rabbit for Good Neighbors Marsh.
What are the rules on Good Neighbors Marsh?
The DNR's layer marks this area as nontoxic shot only.
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 Good Neighbors Marsh?
Good Neighbors Marsh lies in Winnebago County. Hunters reported 338 deer in Winnebago County in 2025, against 287 in 2024.
| County | Good Neighbors Marsh acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winnebago County | 1,471 | 338 | 287 | 296 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the hunting area alone: Iowa DNR harvest reporting (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Good Neighbors Marsh?
The DNR's directions: 2.5 miles N of Thompson on R34.
Nearest towns: Thompson (2 miles), Leland (3 miles), Scarville (6 miles) and Forest City (8 miles). Highways within 5 miles: IA 9 and US 69. 1 IHAP tract within 3 miles.
What other public land is near Good Neighbors Marsh?
Public hunting areas within 10 miles:
- Good Neighbors Marsh WPA: 201 acres, 0.5 miles away
- Jack Rabbit Slough: 79 acres, 1.1 miles away
- Harmon Lake: 991 acres, 1.7 miles away
- C. A. Block Wildlife Area: 314 acres, 2.2 miles away
- Winnebago River Recreation Area: 45 acres, 2.7 miles away
- Osmundson Slough: 158 acres, 3.2 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Good Neighbors Marsh
Counting Good Neighbors Marsh itself, 2,747 of the 51,993 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (5.3%), 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 | 2,734 |
| County conservation board and city land | 13 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Good Neighbors Marsh?
In Winnebago County, 2 miles from Thompson.
What can you hunt on Good Neighbors Marsh?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, pheasant, waterfowl and rabbit. Nontoxic shot is required.
How much public land is around Good Neighbors Marsh?
2,747 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Good Neighbors Marsh included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries. The closest other public hunting area is Good Neighbors Marsh WPA (0.5 miles).
Get a Iowa hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for Iowa are coming. Join the list and you'll hear first. The first 50 hunters in each new state get their plan free.
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.