I am the luckiest guy at getting hunting permission. I have so many farms I can't even scout them all each year. My wifes grandfather is a farmer. Everyone knows him. Once I tell them who I am most farmers in his area will let me hunt.

I have also permission on 3 properties that I got from people at work. Once I found out that their family owned land, I really talked about hunting alot when I was able to talk to them and told them that I only bowhunt and believe it or not, all 3 of them said I could hunt their land. I didnt even ask them.

And I have the secret weapon at getting permission from total strangers in my area. This has worked for me many times...

There are many produce stands on the side of the road around here. Some of them are in front of the farm. When I see kids there selling the produce, I dont even try. When I see the old farmer there I pull on in.

I agree that you should be clean cut and able to smile. Do not drive up in a Jap car or truck. I wear my Ward Burton cap and right away the farmer likes me.

This is the actual conversation between me and a nice farmer that gave me permission on his small farm.

I pulled up to his stand and walked up and looked at the tobbacco field and told him 'you got some pretty bacca plants there.' He said they were doin' good this year. I got some silver queen corn and a melon and then I asked, you have any problem with deer? He said deer were eating him out of house and home. I smiled and said I'm the guy you been lookin' for I'll get em for you and leave em on your back porch if you want em. He said he wished someone would hunt back there. I asked where I should park my truck.

I asked if he liked deer meat and he said he wasn't too crazy about it. I asked him if he liked rockfish and he said he loved em. I told I fish all the time and I promised him some rockfish. Then he starts pointing out fields and telling me where he sees deer all the time.

The 'produce stand approach' is one of the best ways to talk to farmers without having to knock on their door.

Do not try this in southern Maryland because I dont want anyone else stinkin' up my spots.







Edited by - natty Bumpo on 01/28/2003 12:44:57