Tips to use when asking permission:

1. Ask in the spring rather than right before the hunting season.
2. Do it in person, dress neatly, and be polite.
3. If you have a business card, present it, along with your home phone number on the back.
4. Have a typed permission slip already drawn up, like the cards speedbuggy referred to. The cards should not only grant permission, but should also have your code of conduct stated so the landowner knows what to expect from you. He or she signs the permission portion, you sign the code portion. Have a copy for each of you. (Written permission is a great thing to have when you run across another hunter hunting land where he shouldn't be; simply show him your permission and ask to see his!)
5. Ask for permission to hunt groundhogs or other pests during the summer before the deer season. Folks who don't like deer hunting often like having the varmints gotten rid of, and this give you opportunity to build a relationship and demonstrate your ethics.
6. Offer to help out around the place in exchange for permission to hunt. A good time to ask is when a farmer is out working on a project that can use another set of hands. Pitch in!
7. If denied, politely thank them for their time and leave your business card with them! It's quite possible they may rethink their stance and you want them to be able to get in touch with you.

Then there is the whole ethic of what to do when you ARE granted permission:

1. Ask if there are any stipulations, like how far away from any buildings you should stay, or if there are any other areas that are "off limits."
2. Unless otherwise indicated by the landowner, always telephone in your hunting plans at least a day in advance. I did this with one family for two years, and they finally said, "Hey, just come and use the property whenever you want to; no need to check in."
3. If you are successful, check in with them. Couple of the farms I hunt have kids, and they love to see the game taken. Builds relationship.
4. Offer some of the game . . . after it has been processed. I took three deer, my son another, so our freezer is packed. We took the equivalent of an entire deer--cut, packed, labeled, and frozen, out to the farm and it was much appreciated.

These tips have worked for me and others. Best of luck.

cogito, ergo armatus sum.

Edited by - legionnaire on 01/09/2002 12:55:49