Daniel Shay Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Daniel Shay Wildlife Management Area is 211 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Stearns County, near Albany, inside Deer Permit Area 218. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game for it. Hunters registered 3,769 deer in DPA 218 in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: the DNR's wildlife management area data, read 2026-10. Harvest: DNR Deer Harvest Reports, 2021 to 2025.
State wildlife management areasNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasDaniel Shay WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 211 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Stearns County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 218 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Albany |
| DNR area office | Sauk Rapids |
| Nearest towns | St. Martin (5 mi), Albany (5 mi) and Freeport (6 mi) |
What is Daniel Shay WMA like?
This 211 acre WMA is composed of rolling hardwood forest, exotic and restored native prairie grasslands, and small shallow wetlands. The hardwoods make the WMA unique being the western edge of this community type. The WMA borders Gravel Lake.
This unit is a wonderful area to hike especially in the fall when leaf color is prime. Observations of spring bird migrations can be excellent. This is a popular bow hunting spot for many local residents.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Daniel Shay WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game for Daniel Shay WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Daniel Shay WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Daniel Shay WMA?
Daniel Shay WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 218. The DNR registered 3,769 deer in DPA 218 in 2025, against 3,553 in 2024.
| DPA | Daniel Shay WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 218 | 211 | 3,769 | 3,553 | 3,092 |
Harvest for the whole deer permit area, not the WMA alone: Minnesota DNR Deer Harvest Reports (2021 to 2025, 2025 report).
How do you get to Daniel Shay WMA?
5 miles SW of Albany within Section 1, T124N, R32W.
Nearest towns: St. Martin (5 miles), Albany (5 miles), Freeport (6 miles) and New Munich (6 miles). Highways within 5 miles: I-94 and US 52.
What other public land is near Daniel Shay WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Christopher Kurilla WMA: 239 acres, 5.9 miles away
- Legacy Marsh WMA: 41 acres, 6.6 miles away
- Miller Spring Lea Farm WMA: 73 acres, 9.1 miles away
- Salem Comm Prairie WMA: 40 acres, 9.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Daniel Shay WMA
Counting Daniel Shay WMA itself, 756 of the 23,540 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (3.2%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 544 |
| State wildlife management areas | 212 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Daniel Shay WMA?
In Stearns County, near Albany. The DNR's directions: 5 miles SW of Albany within Section 1, T124N, R32W.
Which deer permit area is Daniel Shay WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 218. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Daniel Shay WMA?
756 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Daniel Shay WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 4 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Christopher Kurilla WMA (5.9 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Daniel Shay WMA; Minnesota DNR Wildlife Management Area boundaries, publicly accessible.
- Boundary and acres: the DNR's map layer above. Surrounding public land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
- Deer harvest: Minnesota DNR Deer Harvest Reports (2021 to 2025, 2025 report).
FilledTag is not part of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Check the DNR's rules and posted signs before you go.