I have had great success asking to spring turkey hunt with a bow, just to get a foot in the door. Farmers, in my experience, tend to be less frightened of a bow being used on their property, than rifles or shotguns. It also gives them a sense of security that their livestock will not be accidentally shot. Find out the rules of the property up front. Also, inform them that you are the only one who would be hunting, and that in no way would you consider bringing someone else to the place. Even if you do not bowhunt turkeys, you will need to learn. This sets up a familiararity with the farmer, and lets him/her know how a respectable person you are. Your actions on their property speaks volumes about yourself, so be careful on how you treat a place! Bowhunting turkeys gets you on your way, and then after a year or two, move on to ask about other types of hunting. This system has worked wonders for me in the past.

Once you have established a relationship with the landowner, do not hesitate to help out around the place, free of charge. Herding cattle, mending fence, cutting thistles, ect., makes for very little effort on your part, and may secure the spot for you from other people asking.

A gift card from a retail store, Christmas cards, or something small like this also helps. I have obtained additional ground to hunt on, just by word of mouth, of how I have acted towards the original landowner. Also, giving up some or all of your bounty(venison, turkey breasts, ect.) to the landowner adds to the confidence that the landowner has about you.

I started out asking landowners on the off season(early summer) until I have permission to hunt. It was only 180 acres with very little timber, just a large draw down the middle of it. By doing these things I have mentioned, I now have over 1800 acreson four different farms, to myself or whomever I wish to bring with me, and it costs little of nothing. This has taken me 7 years to do, which is a very little time to wait for alot of property. All was done and obtained by word of mouth, one farmer telling the other that I am a decent person that plays by the rules of the property, and isn' t afraid to help out when needed.

Some venison here, a little elbow grease there, will go a long ways in obtaining your goal.