Nagle Wildlife Area

Discover Nagle Wildlife Area in Rockford

Nagel Wildlife Area is a 220-acre public hunting and wildlife management area located along Red Ball Road, just north of Rockford. The property extends to the Shell Rock River and features a diverse mix of restored prairie, woodland edges, windbreaks, and river habitat.

The area is especially popular with hunters pursuing pheasants, doves, deer, and wild turkeys during designated seasons. Tree lines and windbreaks divide the property into several open sections, providing habitat for wildlife and space for multiple hunting groups. 

Restored areas contain native wildflowers and grasses, including brown-eyed Susans, goldenrod, milkweed, big bluestem, and Indiangrass. These prairie habitats provide food, shelter, and nesting areas for pollinators, monarch butterflies, pheasants, doves, meadowlarks, songbirds, deer, snakes, and many other species. Wood duck nesting boxes near the Shell Rock River are also maintained and monitored to support local waterfowl populations.