J.W. Wells State Park: hunting and access
J.W. Wells State Park is 386 acres in Menominee County, 11 miles from Stephenson, listed by the DNR as "Open" for hunting and trapping. Hunters reported 5,455 deer in Menominee County in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: the DNR's state parks hunting data, read 2026-10. Harvest: DNR reported deer harvest, 2022 to 2025.
State game and wildlife areasState forest and other DNR landState parks and recreation areasCounty, city and regional landLand trusts and other open landJ.W. Wells State ParkCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 386 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Menominee County |
| Deer harvest unit | Menominee County |
| Hunting and trapping (DNR) | Open |
| Early goose season (DNR) | Closed |
| DNR parks district | Western UP |
| Nearest towns | Stephenson (11 mi), Daggett (12 mi) and Carney (16 mi) |
What are the rules on J.W. Wells State Park?
The DNR's map of state parks open to hunting lists J.W. Wells State Park as "Open" for hunting and trapping.
The DNR's note: Standard 450' Safety Zones apply around occupied buildings (not shown).
How many deer are taken around J.W. Wells State Park?
J.W. Wells State Park lies in Menominee County. Hunters reported 5,455 deer in Menominee County in 2025, against 5,787 in 2024.
| County | J.W. Wells State Park acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Menominee County | 386 | 5,455 | 5,787 | 4,430 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the park alone: Michigan DNR reported deer harvest (license years 2022 to 2025).
How do you get to J.W. Wells State Park?
Nearest towns: Stephenson (11 miles), Daggett (12 miles), Carney (16 miles) and Powers (21 miles). Highways within 5 miles: M 35.
What other public land is near J.W. Wells State Park?
DNR wildlife areas and parks open to hunting within 10 miles:
- Cedar River Grouse Enhanced Management System: 3,090 acres, 2.5 miles away
- Hayward Lake to North Lake Floodings State Wildlife Management Area: 3,292 acres, 3.5 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of J.W. Wells State Park
Counting J.W. Wells State Park itself, 8,871 of the 28,017 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (31.7%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's state forest records.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State forest and other DNR land | 8,164 |
| State parks and recreation areas | 707 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is J.W. Wells State Park?
In Menominee County, 11 miles from Stephenson.
Can you hunt in J.W. Wells State Park?
The DNR's map lists it as "Open" for hunting and trapping.
How much public land is around J.W. Wells State Park?
8,871 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, J.W. Wells State Park included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's state forest records. The closest other DNR area or park is Cedar River Grouse Enhanced Management System (2.5 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: Michigan DNR wildlife property project areas.
- 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 land ownership records (state forest).
- Deer harvest: Michigan DNR reported deer harvest (license years 2022 to 2025).
FilledTag is not part of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Check the DNR's rules and posted signs before you go.