Stephens State Forest - Thousand Acres Unit: hunting and access
Stephens State Forest - Thousand Acres Unit is 2,957 acres of public hunting land in Monroe and Lucas counties, 7 miles from Marysville, managed by the DNR's forestry bureau. Hunters reported 1,567 deer in Monroe 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 landIHAP landStephens State Forest - Thousand Acres UnitCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 2,957 acres |
|---|---|
| Counties | Monroe County and Lucas County |
| Deer harvest unit | Monroe County, Lucas County |
| DNR lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Squirrel, Pheasant, Rabbit and Quail |
| Managed by | the DNR's forestry bureau |
| Habitat (DNR) | Forest |
| DNR contact | Area Forester |
| Nearest towns | Marysville (7 mi), Williamson (7 mi) and Lovilia (7 mi) |
What is Stephens State Forest - Thousand Acres Unit like?
The DNR describes the habitat as forest.
From the DNR's Hunting Atlas layer.
What can you hunt on Stephens State Forest - Thousand Acres Unit?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey, squirrel, pheasant, rabbit and quail for Stephens State Forest - Thousand Acres Unit.
What are the rules on Stephens State Forest - Thousand Acres 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 Stephens State Forest - Thousand Acres Unit?
Stephens State Forest - Thousand Acres Unit lies in 2 counties. Hunters reported 1,567 deer in Monroe County in 2025, against 1,722 in 2024.
| County | Stephens State Forest - Thousand Acres Unit acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe County | 2,386 | 1,567 | 1,722 | 1,812 |
| Lucas County | 571 | 1,660 | 1,761 | 1,845 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the hunting area alone: Iowa DNR harvest reporting (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Stephens State Forest - Thousand Acres Unit?
The DNR's directions: NE of Chariton unit.
Nearest towns: Marysville (7 miles), Williamson (7 miles), Lovilia (7 miles) and Melrose (8 miles). Highways within 5 miles: IA 14. 1 IHAP tract within 3 miles.
What other public land is near Stephens State Forest - Thousand Acres Unit?
Public hunting areas within 10 miles:
- Stephens State Forest - Chariton Unit: 944 acres, next to it
- Stephens State Forest - Cedar Creek Unit: 2,067 acres, 2.1 miles away
- Lahart Wildlife Area: 556 acres, 4.4 miles away
- Williamson Pond WMA: 123 acres, 4.8 miles away
- Paul Todd Wildlife Area: 49 acres, 7.9 miles away
- Wilcox Wildlife Area: 585 acres, 8.7 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Stephens State Forest - Thousand Acres Unit
Counting Stephens State Forest - Thousand Acres Unit itself, 4,299 of the 42,926 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (10%), 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 | 4,279 |
| Other DNR land | 20 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Stephens State Forest - Thousand Acres Unit?
In Monroe and Lucas counties, 7 miles from Marysville.
What can you hunt on Stephens State Forest - Thousand Acres Unit?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey, squirrel, pheasant, rabbit and quail.
How much public land is around Stephens State Forest - Thousand Acres Unit?
4,299 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Stephens State Forest - Thousand Acres Unit included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries. The closest other public hunting area is Stephens State Forest - Chariton Unit (next to it).
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.