Sterling, IL

Located in eastern Whiteside County near the Sterling and Rock Falls area, this 19.41-acre Illinois hunting and recreational property combines productive tillable acreage, annual farm income, timber habitat, wildlife management improvements, a trail system, and convenient access. Positioned between the Rock River and Elkhorn Creek, and directly across the road from the 140-acre Lake Como State Natural Area, where hunting is not allowed, the property is surrounded by a diverse mix of agricultural ground, timber, ponds, and additional wildlife habitat. This setting offers a practical combination of income-producing farmland and recreational ground in northwest Illinois. Access is one of the property's strongest features. The farm is conveniently located near I-88 and U.S. Route 30, making it accessible from the Sterling and Rock Falls area as well as other communities throughout northern Illinois. The property is also located on a dead-end road, limiting traffic near the property. The property has more than one-quarter mile of frontage along the I-88 and Route 30 corridor. A 5.7-acre mature tree line buffer adjacent to the property is located within the right-of-way and acts as a funnel or travel corridor for deer entering and exiting the property. A field entrance provides direct access to the agricultural portion of the farm, while a second entrance off Como Road provides another convenient point of entry. A recently cleared area near the Como Road entrance offers room for vehicle parking and could provide a potential building location, subject to county zoning, permitting, utilities, and other applicable requirements. Approximately 12 acres of the 19.41-acre property are tillable, creating an agricultural income component that complements the recreational acreage. The rented farmland has a reported productivity index of approximately 115, giving future owners a productive agricultural component that may remain attractive to farm operators and prospective tenants. Beyond the row crop acreage, the timber and habitat improvements make this Whiteside County property particularly appealing as a smaller Illinois hunting tract. Food plots totaling approximately 4 acres are located within the timber and tillable portions of the property, providing wildlife attraction areas near available cover and surrounding agricultural ground. Approximately 1 acre of standing beans is planned to remain after harvest, adding another food source for wildlife. Two new, high-quality elevated 6-foot by 6-foot hunting blinds are also available for purchase separately, providing a potential turnkey addition for a buyer interested in hunting the property. The property's setting between the Rock River and Elkhorn Creek adds to the broader habitat diversity of the area. Surrounding properties include timber, agricultural fields, ponds, and other habitat features, creating connections beyond the boundaries of this 19.41-acre parcel. Recently installed trail cameras are helping establish an inventory of whitetail deer and wild turkey using the property. This wildlife activity, combined with row crops, timber, interior food plots, and surrounding habitat, gives a future owner a strong starting point for continued land and wildlife management. The combination of tillable acreage and timber gives this property versatility that can be difficult to find on smaller acreage. Rather than being exclusively agricultural or recreational, the farm provides multiple potential uses within one manageable tract. The tillable acreage offers rental income potential, while the wooded acreage, food plots, trail system, and observed deer and turkey activity provide opportunities for hunting and wildlife management. Multiple entrances further improve access for farm equipment, vehicles, hunting activities, and land maintenance. Location is another important consideration. Sterling and Rock Falls are established Rock River communities offering shopping, dini