Yankee Springs Recreation Area: hunting and access
Yankee Springs Recreation Area is 3,524 acres in Barry County, 5 miles from Middleville, listed by the DNR as "Open" for hunting and trapping. Hunters reported 3,695 deer in Barry 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 landNational wildlife refugesState parks and recreation areasCounty, city and regional landLand trusts and other open landCommercial Forest (private, open to hunting by law)Yankee Springs Recreation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 3,524 acres in 4 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Barry County |
| Deer harvest unit | Barry County |
| Hunting and trapping (DNR) | Open |
| Early goose season (DNR) | Open, Day After Labor Day - 9/15 |
| DNR parks district | Plainwell |
| Nearest towns | Middleville (5 mi), Wayland (6 mi) and Delton (8 mi) |
What are the rules on Yankee Springs Recreation Area?
The DNR's map of state parks open to hunting lists Yankee Springs Recreation Area as "Open" for hunting and trapping.
Open for the early goose season (Day After Labor Day - 9/15), by the DNR's map.
The DNR's note: Standard 450' Safety Zones apply around occupied buildings (not shown). No trapping within 50' of mowed portions of developed areas.
How many deer are taken around Yankee Springs Recreation Area?
Yankee Springs Recreation Area lies in Barry County. Hunters reported 3,695 deer in Barry County in 2025, against 4,402 in 2024.
| County | Yankee Springs Recreation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barry County | 3,524 | 3,695 | 4,402 | 4,796 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the park alone: Michigan DNR reported deer harvest (license years 2022 to 2025).
How do you get to Yankee Springs Recreation Area?
Nearest towns: Middleville (5 miles), Wayland (6 miles), Delton (8 miles) and Martin (8 miles). Highways within 5 miles: M 37 and M 179.
What other public land is near Yankee Springs Recreation Area?
DNR wildlife areas and parks open to hunting within 10 miles:
- Barry State Game Area: 17,393 acres, next to it
- Edger Waterfowl Production Area: 158 acres, 3.2 miles away
- Middleville State Game Area: 4,587 acres, 5.7 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Yankee Springs Recreation Area
Counting Yankee Springs Recreation Area itself, 20,738 of the 48,185 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (43%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's state forest records.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State game and wildlife areas | 15,021 |
| State parks and recreation areas | 4,657 |
| Land trusts and other open land | 749 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 203 |
| County, city and regional land | 108 |
Another 158 acres within 3 miles are Commercial Forest land: privately owned, but under state law (MCL 324.51113) the owner may not deny the public hunting and fishing unless the DNR or the legislature closes it.
Questions hunters ask
Where is Yankee Springs Recreation Area?
In Barry County, 5 miles from Middleville.
Can you hunt in Yankee Springs Recreation Area?
The DNR's map lists it as "Open" for hunting and trapping.
How much public land is around Yankee Springs Recreation Area?
20,738 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Yankee Springs Recreation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's state forest records. The closest other DNR area or park is Barry State Game Area (next to it).
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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.