Hawkeye Wildlife Area: hunting and access
Hawkeye Wildlife Area is 13,904 acres of public hunting land in Johnson County, 2 miles from Swisher, managed by the DNR's wildlife bureau. Hunters reported 1,968 deer in Johnson 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 atlasFederal land, mostly Corps of Engineers lakesOther DNR landState parks and recreation areasCounty conservation board and city landHawkeye Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 13,904 acres in 11 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Johnson County |
| Deer harvest unit | Johnson County |
| DNR lists for hunting | Deer, Squirrel, Pheasant, Waterfowl and Dove |
| Managed by | the DNR's wildlife bureau |
| Habitat (DNR) | 1/4 Timber, 1/4 Upland, 1/4 Marsh, |
| DNR contact | Iowa River Wildlife Unit |
| Nearest towns | Swisher (2 mi), East Amana (2 mi) and Shueyville (2 mi) |
What is Hawkeye Wildlife Area like?
The DNR describes the habitat as 1/4 timber, 1/4 upland, 1/4 marsh,.
From the DNR's Hunting Atlas layer.
What can you hunt on Hawkeye Wildlife Area?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, squirrel, pheasant, waterfowl and dove for Hawkeye Wildlife Area.
What are the rules on Hawkeye 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 Hawkeye Wildlife Area?
Hawkeye Wildlife Area lies in Johnson County. Hunters reported 1,968 deer in Johnson County in 2025, against 1,805 in 2024.
| County | Hawkeye Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson County | 13,904 | 1,968 | 1,805 | 1,755 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the hunting area alone: Iowa DNR harvest reporting (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Hawkeye Wildlife Area?
Nearest towns: Swisher (2 miles), East Amana (2 miles), Shueyville (2 miles) and Homestead (3 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 218, I-380, IA 27, US 6 and IA 965.
What other public land is near Hawkeye Wildlife Area?
Public hunting areas within 10 miles:
- Swan Lake - Johnson: 36 acres, next to it
- Coralville Lake: 5,715 acres, next to it
- Hanging Rock Ridge Wildlife Area: 238 acres, next to it
- Clear Creek Area: 39 acres, 4.4 miles away
- Two Horse Farm: 83 acres, 4.5 miles away
- Cangleska Wakan: 77 acres, 5.7 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Hawkeye Wildlife Area
Counting Hawkeye Wildlife Area itself, 25,168 of the 80,036 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (31.4%), 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 | 16,362 |
| Federal land, mostly Corps of Engineers lakes | 7,632 |
| County conservation board and city land | 1,162 |
| Other DNR land | 12 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Hawkeye Wildlife Area?
In Johnson County, 2 miles from Swisher.
What can you hunt on Hawkeye Wildlife Area?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, squirrel, pheasant, waterfowl and dove.
How much public land is around Hawkeye Wildlife Area?
25,168 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Hawkeye Wildlife Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries. The closest other public hunting area is Swan Lake - Johnson (next to it).
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.