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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 FM0FoThu1s7Et/vstEq/I3RAdgje/g8MQE+KJpV9LS2oRCwkJIpUpbvSATZlEJ2B
 eyhclKLo8zRwhi5VSgQgmA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000893538-05-000131.txt : 20051228
<SEC-HEADER>0000893538-05-000131.hdr.sgml : 20051228
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20051228164405
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000893538-05-000131
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20051228
FILED AS OF DATE:		20051228
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20051228

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SEIDL JOHN M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001198304

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31539
		FILM NUMBER:		051289251

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1776 LINCOLN ST
		STREET 2:		STE 700
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80202

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ST MARY LAND & EXPLORATION CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000893538
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311]
		IRS NUMBER:				410518430
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1776 LINCOLN ST STE 700
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80203
		BUSINESS PHONE:		303-861-8140
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>seidl28december05form4_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-12-28</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000893538</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ST MARY LAND &amp; EXPLORATION CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SM</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001198304</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SEIDL JOHN M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1776 LINCOLN ST</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>STE 700</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DENVER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80202</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock; $.01 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-12-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>500</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>14821</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The 500 share dispostion occurred as a gift of stock on December 28, 2005 to a charitable organization in which Mr. Seidl has
 no direct relationship.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Karin M. Writer (Attorney-In-Fact)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-12-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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