South Skunk River Access: hunting and access
South Skunk River Access is 518 acres of public hunting land in Keokuk County, 3 miles from Hayesville, managed by the DNR's wildlife bureau. Hunters reported 1,152 deer in Keokuk 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 landState parks and recreation areasCounty conservation board and city landSouth Skunk River AccessCounty lineHighway
| Size | 518 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Keokuk County |
| Deer harvest unit | Keokuk County |
| DNR lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey and Pheasant |
| Managed by | the DNR's wildlife bureau |
| Habitat (DNR) | 1/4 Upland, 3/4 Timber |
| DNR contact | Sugema Wildlife Unit |
| Nearest towns | Hayesville (3 mi), Martinsburg (4 mi) and Ollie (5 mi) |
What is South Skunk River Access like?
The DNR describes the habitat as 1/4 upland, 3/4 timber.
From the DNR's Hunting Atlas layer.
What can you hunt on South Skunk River Access?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey and pheasant for South Skunk River Access.
What are the rules on South Skunk River Access?
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 South Skunk River Access?
South Skunk River Access lies in Keokuk County. Hunters reported 1,152 deer in Keokuk County in 2025, against 1,044 in 2024.
| County | South Skunk River Access acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keokuk County | 518 | 1,152 | 1,044 | 1,053 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the hunting area alone: Iowa DNR harvest reporting (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to South Skunk River Access?
The DNR's directions: 2 miles E and 3 miles N of Martinsburg on Hwy 149, 2 miles E and 2 miles N on gravel road.
Nearest towns: Hayesville (3 miles), Martinsburg (4 miles), Ollie (5 miles) and Sigourney (6 miles). Highways within 5 miles: IA 149 and IA 78.
What other public land is near South Skunk River Access?
Public hunting areas within 10 miles:
- Hayesville Bend: 537 acres, 5.2 miles away
- Pool Wildlife Area: 67 acres, 8 miles away
- Skunk River Wildlife Area: 415 acres, 8 miles away
- Belva Deer Recreation Area: 1,701 acres, 8.9 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of South Skunk River Access
Counting South Skunk River Access itself, 533 of the 29,115 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (1.8%), 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 | 518 |
| State parks and recreation areas | 15 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is South Skunk River Access?
In Keokuk County, 3 miles from Hayesville.
What can you hunt on South Skunk River Access?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey and pheasant.
How much public land is around South Skunk River Access?
533 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, South Skunk River Access included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries. The closest other public hunting area is Hayesville Bend (5.2 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.