Shimek State Forest - Croton Unit: hunting and access
Shimek State Forest - Croton Unit is 2,045 acres of public hunting land in Lee County, 2 miles from Argyle, managed by the DNR's forestry bureau. Hunters reported 2,257 deer in Lee 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 atlasOther DNR landCounty conservation board and city landShimek State Forest - Croton UnitCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 2,045 acres in 3 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Lee County |
| Deer harvest unit | Lee County |
| DNR lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Squirrel, Pheasant, Waterfowl, Rabbit and Quail |
| Managed by | the DNR's forestry bureau |
| Habitat (DNR) | Forest |
| DNR contact | Area Forester |
| Nearest towns | Argyle (2 mi), Donnellson (6 mi) and Farmington (6 mi) |
What is Shimek State Forest - Croton Unit like?
The DNR describes the habitat as forest.
From the DNR's Hunting Atlas layer.
What can you hunt on Shimek State Forest - Croton Unit?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey, squirrel, pheasant, waterfowl, rabbit and quail for Shimek State Forest - Croton Unit.
What are the rules on Shimek State Forest - Croton Unit?
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 Shimek State Forest - Croton Unit?
Shimek State Forest - Croton Unit lies in Lee County. Hunters reported 2,257 deer in Lee County in 2025, against 2,305 in 2024.
| County | Shimek State Forest - Croton Unit acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lee County | 2,045 | 2,257 | 2,305 | 2,054 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the hunting area alone: Iowa DNR harvest reporting (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Shimek State Forest - Croton Unit?
The DNR's directions: S of Farmington on Hawk Dr, E on Croton Rd, SE on Belfast Rd.
Nearest towns: Argyle (2 miles), Donnellson (6 miles), Farmington (6 miles) and Franklin (8 miles). Highways within 5 miles: IA 27, US 218, IA 2 and IA 394.
What other public land is near Shimek State Forest - Croton Unit?
Public hunting areas within 10 miles:
- Turkey Run Wildlife Area - Lee: 167 acres, 0.5 miles away
- Shimek State Forest - Lick Creek Unit: 2,415 acres, 1.2 miles away
- Sugar Creek Bottoms: 107 acres, 1.6 miles away
- Shimek State Forest - Donnellson Unit: 1,038 acres, 3.5 miles away
- Shimek State Forest - Farmington Unit: 2,700 acres, 3.6 miles away
- Amborn-Pagin Wildlife Area: 135 acres, 6.2 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Shimek State Forest - Croton Unit
Counting Shimek State Forest - Croton Unit itself, 4,068 of the 43,230 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (9.4%), 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 | 4,046 |
| County conservation board and city land | 17 |
| Other DNR land | 5 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Shimek State Forest - Croton Unit?
In Lee County, 2 miles from Argyle.
What can you hunt on Shimek State Forest - Croton Unit?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey, squirrel, pheasant, waterfowl, rabbit and quail.
How much public land is around Shimek State Forest - Croton Unit?
4,068 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Shimek State Forest - Croton Unit included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries. The closest other public hunting area is Turkey Run Wildlife Area - Lee (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.