I have gained access to virtually every private ranch i have had the itching to hunt...Two tactics always work for me...

Offer to work: Mostly fencing is what does it out here (Western montana)...So, it is a modified way of paying for access...but guys who would flat turn you down, will change their attitude whe they realize you arent like all the tohers drooling over the elk on their property...

Learn what they need: One rancher used 5 gallon buckets as tool carriers and always had a shortage of them...I noticed them in the back of his truck, at the corner of each gate etc. etc. So, i asked him if he needed some, I was working at a palce that had a ton of them...He GLADLY accepted, and so i went to town (40 miles away) picked up a truck of them (literally 50-60) and gave them to him...never even addressed hunting but he knew I was an elk hunter...he brought up the topic...and then called several neighbors permission for me, and then he said, "and here is the best way to get to thsoe elk up there in my meadow"...at the end of this..I had permission to hunt well over 30,000acres, yes 30,000 acres of private non hunted land...all because of 5 gallon peanut Butter buckets that our busienss was throwing away...

most of these guys want to know you will care about their land as they do...have friends in eastern montana, that have gained access to hunt because they picked up trash in a farmers yard, or along their field...