Mel Roehrl Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Mel Roehrl Wildlife Management Area is 307 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Stearns County, near Padua, inside Deer Permit Area 218. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves 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 areasState forest and other DNR landNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasMel Roehrl WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 307 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Stearns County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 218 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Padua |
| DNR area office | Sauk Rapids |
| Nearest towns | Brooten (6 mi), Elrosa (7 mi) and Sedan (7 mi) |
What is Mel Roehrl WMA like?
This 301.86 acre WMA is composed of restored prairie that contains wetland and wooded environments that border flowage areas. The topography of the area is flat to slightly rolling. Dense stands of willow and cottonwoods provide an important wintering area for resident wildlife.
The WMA is part of a larger deer, pheasant, and turkey wintering area. Mel Roehrl was a very active conservationist in the area and member of Stearns County Pheasants Forever.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Mel Roehrl WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game for Mel Roehrl WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Mel Roehrl WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Mel Roehrl WMA?
Mel Roehrl WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 218. The DNR registered 3,769 deer in DPA 218 in 2025, against 3,553 in 2024.
| DPA | Mel Roehrl WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 218 | 307 | 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 Mel Roehrl WMA?
2.25 miles SW of Padua within NW 1/4, Section 4 & NE 1/4, Section 5, T124N, R35W, as well as SW 1/4, Section 33, T125N, R35W. From the town of Padua on County Hwy 18 go south and then west approximately 2.4 miles. Turn south onto 470th Ave., a one lane gravel road and travel approximately 0.7 miles south to access the WMA via one designated parking lot located on the west side at 45.58982, -95.08841 (Latitude, Longitude).
Wheelchair access is limited to public roads and mowed parking lot on this unit.
Nearest towns: Brooten (6 miles), Elrosa (7 miles), Sedan (7 miles) and Westport (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 55.
What other public land is near Mel Roehrl WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Prairie Smoke WMA: 174 acres, 2.4 miles away
- North Fork WMA: 255 acres, 3.4 miles away
- Padua WMA: 324 acres, 3.6 miles away
- Milton Kjeldahl WMA: 196 acres, 4.1 miles away
- Oxcart Crossing WMA: 210 acres, 5.4 miles away
- Tower WMA: 76 acres, 5.4 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Mel Roehrl WMA
Counting Mel Roehrl WMA itself, 1,344 of the 24,208 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (5.6%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 626 |
| State wildlife management areas | 461 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 257 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Mel Roehrl WMA?
In Stearns County, near Padua. The DNR's directions: 2.25 miles SW of Padua within NW 1/4, Section 4 & NE 1/4, Section 5, T124N, R35W, as well as SW 1/4, Section 33, T125N, R35W. From the town of Padua on County Hwy 18 go south and then west approximately 2.4 miles. Turn south onto 470th Ave., a one lane gravel road and travel approximately 0.7 miles south to access the WMA via one designated parking lot located on the west side at 45.58982, -95.08841 (Latitude, Longitude).
Which deer permit area is Mel Roehrl WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 218. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Mel Roehrl WMA?
1,344 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Mel Roehrl WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Prairie Smoke WMA (2.4 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Mel Roehrl 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.