I went on an extended scouting trip today. I walked about a mile behind my house, and heard some commotion in the woods, so I headed towards it. I found the adjoining landowner chopping wood. We both greeted each other, sat down and had a chat, mostly about all the annoying city folk moving into the area. I asked again if I could hunt on his land, and he agreed with a, "no problem". I said thank you, and we both went our own ways.
Bout an hour later I got home, hopped into the car and decided to glass the fields on the other property I have permission to hunt. I glassed two birds, moved down the road a half mile, then turned off the engine and just listened. Gobbles were ringing out every ten minutes or so, enough to keep me glassing the edge of the woods till a friendly, "Hello" scared the heck out of me.
It was the landowner, really nice guy, and his first words were, "Kill as many as you want, you know that right?" Music to my ears
. Anyway, we sat and talked for close to half an hour, about bears, dead hunting buddies (reason he doesnt hunt anymore, made me grateful I have what I have) and the deer season to come.
Well, on the ride home, I was thinking how lucky I am to have these properties to hunt, and how generous it is of these people to let me hunt there. All too often, once we get permission we are focused on the kill, and once that takes place we are happy, and sometimes forget to thank those who have it coming.
We must remember it is a privilidge to hunt someone elses land, and when the hunt is over never forget to offer up a thank you. It will go a long way in assuring great landowner/hunter relations for years to come.
Just a reminder to say thank you....
