The secret to gaining permission
 

This post is in response to NY Bowhunters post (PM box full).

The number one secret to gaining permission to hunt someones land?

Make the women of the house happy!

When you have located a property that you'd like to gain access to, you have to gear up to make the lady of the house happy. In a lot of cases the man of the house, usually a farmer, would like for you to remove some deer from his property. If his wife doesn't like hunting because she likes to see the cute little deer, you're not getting in. No matter what! If she's not happy, nobody's happy. The man is not going to risk it. Who, in there right mind is going to upset the little lady? You do that and you're not getting any. It's called "THE POWER OF THE PATCH". Trust me, most men are not going to do anything to upset the balance of that.

So....... you do things that will please her to make her want you to come back. I'm fortunate to work for a company that makes household products. SC Johnson Wax, we make Edge, Pledge, Glade, Raid, Windex etc. Among other things, we make candles. Candles are a secret weapon. All women love candles. They can't get enough of them. They'll stock pile them until they have enough to outshine the sun. Now is a good time for Xmas candles but you have to throw in some everyday ones to make them want more. The next best thing that women like is Skin creme. You are playing their femininity. They like things that make them feel good. Just the act of a man giving them these things makes them feel all warm and fuzzy. Throw in a couple of things that are practical as well, like, glass cleaner, kitchen cleaner, bathroom cleaner and furniture polish. These are the kind of gifts that a women really likes. Save the deer sausage until your sure that she even likes the stuff. These other things are a sure bet.

Part 2

Get some man things too! This is really important because if you don't, he'll either shoot you or kick your a$$ for hitting on his women. Most importantly, you won't get in. Things like chains, rope, wire, electric motors, Waterless hand cleaner, WD-40, you know... man things!

So.... you have your gift box prepared, 80% her, 20% him. You go to the door when you know he's out working. When she answers, you say "Hi, I'm so and so and I've got something for you and your husband so that you'd give some thought on the possibility of letting me BOWhunt for small game and possibly for deer. DO NOT just say deer.Leave some room to get your foot in the door. You may have to prove yourself and build up a friendship first before they'll let you hunt deer. See what she says and make small talk with her. Look for things to compliment, house, yard, car etc. Look for things you have in common. Don't over do it, they're not stupid. Besides, you got to leave before he gets to the house.Tell her that you'll stop back in a few days to see if they have discussed it.

Here's what you are hoping for....You want her to TELL her husband to let that nice man hunt. He most likely will because... power of the patch! She likes you and wants more. Plus he'll like his man gifts also. If all goes well, you'll be in and possibly develope a lasting friendship.

This has worked well for me and it should for you also.

Good luck Remember don't rush it.

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

That's good stuff Greg, I have been doing those type of things myself. I would also like to add Chocolate! Women LOVE the stuff and so do the men. He may not seem interested in it but as soon as they are behind closed doors he is eating them tasty morselstoo.:D

I like to give the assorted gift box that you can find at Sams Club or the like. Sometimes when they go on sale I will buy several boxes at a time.

Thanks for the tips Greg.

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

Another tip, it may have been mentioned in the previous thread but;

Don't show up in camo.

Dress nice. This doesn't necessarily equate to wearing Sunday's best, but look presentable. A collard shirt (long sleeve preferably), slacks, and dress shoes will work.

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

Gregh,

I found asking coyote hunting usually gets me in. Great stuff you typed up thought TY.

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

OOPS though

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

Some good tips :)

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

Good advice GregH!!!

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

Great idea's. Here is what has worked for me.
I go in the spring, usually around April, May. I provide a writting form with all my information, Vehicle, phone number, Hunting Liscense. State of WV requires you have written permission and it must be carried with you when you are on their property. So I have a form that just adds extra info. The landowner keeps one and I get a copy.
I ask in spring if I could hunt Ground hogs with my bow. Usually they laugh about that, but then say sure go ahead. Then when I go out there to go for ground hogs, if I see the farmer working on something or even not. I always first offer up to give them a hand. Then usually around august, I don't even have to ask for permission for deer. 8 out 10 times, they come to me and ask if I would like to also like to hunt deer. The one big issue I have heard from every farmer I have spoken with is that they hate when folks show up just a couple weeks or even days before season opens and ask for permission to hunt, but do not want to give anything in return and then are upset when the farmer says not this year. I always try to put myself in the landowners shoes and ask myself. If this were my place how would I feel and what would I expect.

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

I've never had problems gaining permission. I have lived in this area for a long time. I know a lot of farmers and they allow me on their property because I respect their land. Plus, I am one of the only bow hunters in the area. Most people around here gun hunt. I still gun hunt. But, I took up the bow a couple of years ago when I saw how much more time I'd get alone in the woods.

GregH has some good points, but, be careful going to a house without the husband there too. He might get leary & offended. I personally would go there when they are both there. Just a thought. Also, you can offer to help them in some way. Maybe put some sweat equity into the farm. I know some guys around here do that. They help the farmer put a roof on, or clear a fence row. It's a nice gesture and will secure your hunting rights for a long time. You get to know the family, and in fact, become a part of the family.

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

i go in the summer time and carry my secret weapons ,my 2 little blonde headed girls. tell them i really need a good place to hunt with my kids and the old land owners ussually give in ,,if there not to much of a hard butts .

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

I don't do any of that business. I'm a neighbor whom the women feel safe to be alone with and they have no fears having their children around me. The husbands trust me to be around what's theirs. It is how I live and do business and has paid off many times over. I've worked for many of the people who allow me to hunt on their land. Keep your eyes and conversations clean and you'll have no problems.

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

what would you guys reccomend for a younger kid like me(16) to do in asking for permission. I would find it hard going up to a strangers door and giving them gifts to ask for permission to hunt. Earlier this year i tried sending people letters telling them about who i am and that i would give them a call to ask if i could hunt. Well i struck out. So how would you go about asking if you were my age?
Thanks

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

Good advice GregH. I know alot of farmers, I worked on a farm for 18 years. I was there many times when hunters came to ask for permission to hunt. Most of the time the answer was no. I will tell you why. Most guys would come and ask for permission just before or during hunting season, after they would leave the farmer would say " you don't see these guys all summer when we have all this work, they only show up when they want something". I heard him say this many times. Do not show up just before hunting season. Go early in the year and offer to help them put in hay, pick stones, fix fence etc... GregH gave some great useful gift ideas to show your appreciation. Somemay notlike deer meat so give them this along with something else. The main idea is to show you are thinking about their land throughout the year not just when you want to use it for hunting.

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

I consider this a form of hunting. Land hunting. Why are you guys baiting? Is baiting legal in your states? If it is, should you limit the bait to a one gallon bucket?

You should all be ashamed of yourselves!

Tom

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

Best thing is to get someone who knows others to broach the subject with them and vouch for your character. It's hard work getting started, things take time.

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

Maybe it varies with different sections of the country but, and I am being totally honest.................almost every time I have visited a farmer about seeking permission in most cases the woman of the house was more receptive to hunting deer than some of their husbands!

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

I usually mention the fact I have doe tags to fill.A lot of farmers are catching on to the fact that most hunters are after a buck and are letting countless crop eating does pass by thier stands without actually trying to thin any of them out.Ive gained permission to hunt deer simply by offering to shoot does where other guys wont.They also get sick of the trophy hunting mentality that goes along with som much of the deer hunting today.

One farm the guy was notorious for not letting anyone hunt his property.The first year I asked I simply told him I was looking to shoot a doe for the freezer and wouldnt bother the bucks, he shotgun hunted himself and told me that would be ok as long as I left the bucks alone.The following year I again approached him and he started telling me about a big 8 pointer he had been watching.By the end of the conversation he had not only told me where the buck was running the property but wished me luck in killing him, This year he just told me to quit asking him every year and hunt whatever I wanted.

Another guys first request was that I please kill some does.I went out and bought 3 doe tags which I filled exclusively on his place throughout the year.The following year he told me I could hunt all his ground.47$ worth of doe tags was a pretty cheap lease to get access to a couple thousand acres of good hunting ground.

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

The biggest problem with finding land to hunt around here is that someone is usually already hunting it. I've lived here all my life and know everyone, but it would take some time to find and landthat isn't already hunted.

Some people don't allow hunting because they have had bad experiences with gun hunters or are afraid of livestock being shot. Telling them you want to bowhunt and not gun hunt could give you and advantage.

If you are a young guy, the best advice I could give you is look your best and be very polite. Most people like young people and want to help them. In todays times an young, nice-looking, polite person might be somewhat of a novelty.

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

I usually go over when the man is not at home and Welllllllll,,,,,,,,, There are other ways to get permission.;):D


Not really, I actually go over when the man is gone and slap her around a little and say, "let me hunt your deer, , women,,, and go into the kitchen and make me some Pie.".:D

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

I was going to a lease on year and came across a older man and his wife. They had a blow out and were having a heck of a time with the jack. I stopped and got out my hydraulic jack and put their spair on. His wife wanted some pecons so they had started to the store to get some.
After finishing I walked back to the jeep and took out my big bag of pecons, (great snack and I have a very big nice tree :D walked back and gave them to her. We talked some more and they ask what I was doing out there. I told them that I was going to do a little hunting. He looked at his wife and said, We have a small place and it has a few deer on it. They use to hunt but due to their age they didn't hunt any more. They invited me to come back and hunt. Little place turned out to be 1700 acers.
I took a doe the first time out and after having it processed I gave them half. I was able to hunt there for 6 years untill they were killed in a one car roll over.[&o]

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

I send EVERYONE a hand-written letter......whether I gain permission, or not. The first person I asked told me NO. I thanked him for his time.....(he's my neighbor)....and went to my office and hand-wrote him a 3 page letter expalining how much of an animal lover I TOO am. He came to my house....3 days later.....and told me he'd changed his mind....and gave me the ground rules (which I've been happy to oblige). I took 3 deer off this property, this season).

I asked another farmer who told me "No". I also wrote him a letter. He's got a brother that hunts there, too....and it's a bit touchy. I've kept track of his season......and I honestly believe I'll get asked to hunt there in the future. He's called me on bow-related matters....and I even went over and helped him hang stands. He knows he can call on me if his dad needs help around the farm, too (he's elderly....and I live close). I'd bet $1K I gain access to at least turkey hunt this property, next year.

Woodlots (OK...back yards) where I shot my buck, Saturday.....they were going to let me in there for 2 days. I sent them the 'thank you' letter.....and I've got a place for life, now (they reconsidered after receiving the letter....and said I was welcomed back). I saw 23 deer there, Saturday morning. Rob/PA saw 37 in there in one afternoon. That's a pretty valuable letter if you asked me.....

Jeff

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

GregH:

Your company is one of my wife's clients. Small world (BIG company...lol).

Jeff

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

MY son had permission to hunt this farm about 6 years before I started hunting again. I hunted there for 2 years before the farmer would sign my permission slip. Now my son and I both offer to help him around the farm. My son got the farmer a good deal on a car since his wife works for a car mfg. We both take them venision because they like to eat it.I took themone of my recipes and the marinade to go in it. I took them some of the antelope I shot in another state. I gave them a copy of the book on fishing I recently published. They now treat me and my son like part of the family. We never ask the farmer to let us bring any friends along as we know he is very particular about who he lets on his land. This year when he signed my permission slip and I thanked him he thanked me for helping to keep the deer herd under control. He wants us to call him when we are going to hunt. He told me that if he sees our vehicles after he thinks we should have gone home that he figures we may be in trouble and he'll come to look for us.

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

Thanks for the laugh GUYS!! Sorry, but this is hilarious stuff to me. I am a farm owner, and hunter, and the "little woman". You want advice on this matter, come see me. You have got to understand a farmer. We have got the land, and in our case, too busy trying to make it pay for itself to enjoy the benefit of having it. It's very hard for me to understand how people can just show up and think that I'm gonna let them enjoy the use of my farm, while I have to spend my day working like a dog to pay for it. I hate to soundharsh about it. I would much rather spend my afternoons hunting, putting out corn, and scouting around, But, you gotta cover your bills first, and mother nature is a tough boss lady! (May hay while the sun shines) So, I am driving myself to an early grave to ensure that my farm is paid for, so my son can have it when I am gone. Nine days left of hunting season here, new bow as an early Christmas gift for myself, and can't seem to make time to hunt. Little upset,yeah. You folks that want to persue hunting on others land...best way to get on my good side....keep your candles for the next power outage...how about a helping hand now and then. Heck, an RC Cola and a Moon Pie when it's 95 and we are surrounded by a cloud of dust. Be creative!

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

Farmchick,
This was meant to be humerousand true at the same time. This method has worked for me many times. Mostly as a way of getting a foot in the door, so to speak. After a friendship has started, the work help and things you speak of are good ways to cement the relationship. It isn't just give a gift and hunt. It's just part of the equation. To me, you sound a bit bitter, kind of like your man left you holding the bag. If it is too much for you, maybe you should sell it and try something a bit less stressfull. If I came to your door and recieved the bitterness you give off, I'd go somewhere else where the people were a tad more cheerful. I hope things get better for you.

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

Yep, it was bitter. Sorry. But, here, the more you give, the more they take. Tried being nice and let a few folks hunt. It ended up being nothing but trouble. Not following what we say is the big thing. When we say, "stay on the road" we mean stay on the road. I have been peppered with shot in my own yard. I just can't risk it anymore. Honesty and integrity are hard to come by here. It didn't use to be like this. We used to let people fish too. Calling the vet to have fishing line removed from calves, and trash everywhere like they had a party stopped that. We let a close freind hunt one farm this year....said he wanted does. WE said no problem. So far he's taken 4 bucks and no does. We just gave up. I know there are good hunters with good ethics out there......apologies to everyone.

RE: The secret to gaining permission
 

I write a hand wrighten note, saying that in the summer I'd work on the property in return to bowhunt coyotes and groundhogs(which can help manage a farm). Then hopefully bowhunt deer.Trying to get meat for the freezer then antlers and will share any venison I get. Then saying contact me at so and so. If they accept, I come to talk to them in a collared shirt and dress pants with my mom(I'm 11) and setup some rules. Hopefully this'll work.