Stephens State Forest - Whitebreast Unit: hunting and access
Stephens State Forest - Whitebreast Unit is 3,669 acres of public hunting land in Lucas County, 2 miles from Lucas, managed by the DNR's forestry bureau. Hunters reported 1,660 deer in Lucas 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 - Whitebreast UnitCounty lineHighway
| Size | 3,669 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Lucas County |
| Deer harvest unit | 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 | Lucas (2 mi), Woodburn (3 mi) and Derby (4 mi) |
What is Stephens State Forest - Whitebreast Unit like?
The DNR describes the habitat as forest.
From the DNR's Hunting Atlas layer.
What can you hunt on Stephens State Forest - Whitebreast Unit?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey, squirrel, pheasant, rabbit and quail for Stephens State Forest - Whitebreast Unit.
What are the rules on Stephens State Forest - Whitebreast 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 - Whitebreast Unit?
Stephens State Forest - Whitebreast Unit lies in Lucas County. Hunters reported 1,660 deer in Lucas County in 2025, against 1,761 in 2024.
| County | Stephens State Forest - Whitebreast Unit acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucas County | 3,669 | 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 - Whitebreast Unit?
The DNR's directions: S of Lucas on Hwy 65, W on 450th St.
Nearest towns: Lucas (2 miles), Woodburn (3 miles), Derby (4 miles) and Le Roy (7 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 65 and US 34. 2 IHAP tracts within 3 miles.
What other public land is near Stephens State Forest - Whitebreast Unit?
Public hunting areas within 10 miles:
- Stephens State Forest - Woodburn Unit: 2,120 acres, next to it
- Stephens State Forest - Lucas Unit: 1,208 acres, next to it
- Goshen Wildlife Area: 523 acres, 0.5 miles away
- Broadhead Woods: 44 acres, 5.7 miles away
- Barber Woods: 35 acres, 6.4 miles away
- Cinder Marsh: 59 acres, 6.5 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Stephens State Forest - Whitebreast Unit
Counting Stephens State Forest - Whitebreast Unit itself, 7,381 of the 44,617 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (16.5%), 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 | 7,364 |
| Other DNR land | 17 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Stephens State Forest - Whitebreast Unit?
In Lucas County, 2 miles from Lucas.
What can you hunt on Stephens State Forest - Whitebreast Unit?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey, squirrel, pheasant, rabbit and quail.
How much public land is around Stephens State Forest - Whitebreast Unit?
7,381 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Stephens State Forest - Whitebreast 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 - Woodburn Unit (next to it).
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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.