Gaining access to private lands
 

I live in the city limits and want to gain access to private land just outside of town for bow hunting this fall. I obtained a plat book and see several good spots. My question is, what is the best way to approach the land owner, letter, phone or in person?I was thinking about writing a letter but wanted to if anyone has does this and how theyapproached the land owner.

If your not living on the edge your taking up to much space ;)

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

I like to roar up on my Harley, rev the engine for a few minutes to get their attention, then ask...."Where do you want me to park since I'll be hunting here this fall?" [:-]

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

In person is your best bet. A letter is so easy to throw away, plus it is very impersonal. Meeting with the owner, talking to him face to face gives them the chance to see what kind of person they are thinking about allowing on their property. It also provides the land an opportunity to ask he questions he might have of you, as well as for you to ask them questions. One question you really should think about asking is if there is any work the land owner may have that you can help out with. After all, you are asking to hunt his property, which has a monetary value to it. If you don't believe, just look at the cost of leasing ground or going to an outfitter! If all else fails, you can always try to lease the ground, but remember to be very respectful, even if you given a huge no. He may change his mind, he always has buddies and they talk. You leave with giving him a bad impression; I promise you that bad impression, with your name, will be shared. Good luck and I hope you find a place to hang a stand.

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

I find dressing like A Jehovah's Witnessopens up plenty of doors around here.[:o]

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

Good advise. Thank you:)

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

Keep in mind that private land right outside town is pretty convenient, so you likely aren't the only person knocking on doors there. Being willing to go out to the more inconvenient places might give you an edge. I am assuming by your handle that you are female. i would play that up to the hilt as well

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

Yes, I was thinking the same thing but I wouldn't be surprised to find a note at the door saying, "No hunters". I think I will also check with the DNR forestry listings for available lands.

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

In person and with a letter containing a brief bit of info about you and your contact numbers. You may also want to ask if they are having trouble with any varmints (foxes, grndhogs, etc.) and ask about helping them with that.

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

In person is best (it's the hardest to say no to). Make sure you offer up something before they give an answer. Painting, grass cutting, welding, etc., etc. etc.

I noticed an older guy once trying to free up his pond overflow. Stopped offered to help, got completely wet unplugging it, and have been hunting his land ever since. :D

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

Thanks for all the good advice. I was preparely a letter but now I'm going to reharse what I will be saying when I knock on the door.

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

Man, I need to start using spell check....sorry for the bad grammar.

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

Don't forget to look into public land also. Some states (sadly not Illinois) offer some great public land hunting.

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

I have hunted public lands in my area and met with guys who have been hunting there for a long time and treated my like an intruder. I backed out just to keep peace.I haven't given up on hunting public land but haveyet to find a nice location.

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

No dought go and talk to them in person. I would find it kinda weird if someone sent me a letter asking to hunt on my land. In person is always the best I think. 1st impressions mean allot to most people. Good luck Huntress!!;)

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

Good points, Bruce. In person is certainly the way to go. Dress cleanly and be polite. It will help you out, but don't be detered by a "no" here and there.

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

Huntress, you have some really good state land up by Mauthe lake, 20 minutes from you! I have been hunting there for years and there are alot of deer and some very big bucks have been taken in the area! The north Kettle Moraine is one of the better areas in SE Wisconsin to hunt! I hunt their at LEAST 4 times a week for deer and do a lot of Coyote hunting this time of year! I got a pretty good lay of the land you need anything drop me a PM, glad to help. Hoyttail Hunter also hunts the North Kettles! I've met some guys while hunting there and now we are good friends and we hunt/scout and bowfish together, weird how that works!

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

In person, no question of it. I grew up on a farm/ranch operation so we had private land in the valley and on the mountain, so I have some experience in having people ask for permission to trespass. When asking for permission to access land, it is a good idea to also ask about any livestock concerns, gates that need to be closed, areas to aviod (fields with water on them), etc. Being a woman I would say that you have a leg up on most hunters. Many land owners have had bad experiences with trespassers, but the vast majority of the problems have, sadly, been from men. Good luck.

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

Huntress

Not sure how strong you are but I carry a small chain sawwith me on bi-monthly trips onto the properties I hunt to cut up fallen trees that have fallen on the fencelines around the propertiesthat I hunt. This has always been a huge help to the landowners as some of them never get outand venture to the back forty;). I use alot of the fallen trees for ground blinds also and for fire wood. Just a thought. Good luck and remember to flash a smile when aproaching the landowner, the smile is always a way of breaking the nervousness when meeting a person for the 1st time for either of you.You can also tell him of tresspasers as I'm sure if there is deer on his property, and it's close to town, you will find them in his woods.[:o]
Rocky

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

you deffinitely gotta go in person

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

Well I never thought of that one Greg!!:DMaybe I'll try it;)I do have Rinehart Racing exhausts so it does make some noise. You think it would work better if I didn't shave or take a bath for a month?[8D]

Honestly, I have found in person, face to face is the best way. Once I secure a place I make sure that landowner knows how much I appreciate the priviledge of hunting.

Dan

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

Take a bath, but no shaving and wear sunglasses. Also spinning your tire on their lawn or in a gravel driveway, leaving a huge cloud of dust works well also! ;)

I have the D&D Fat Cat 2-1............ has a nice ring to it.

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

Great call! How could he turn you down after that effort :D

Sometimes I'll actually ask for permission hunt varmints or small game first and then gauge the response and see what happens...

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

In California lots of public land to hunt, but there is also good private land areas , myself I would do it in person...Like someone said...Its harder to say no to your face.

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

I live not far from you at all! Just a few miles south, actually. I have a good friend who is living outside of town (I think he said northwest) and he might be able to help you out. Well, me too, for that matter. Or maybe both of us!

Anyhow.... as usual, put yourself in the landowner's position: how would you react better? I bet you'd say "face to face, of course!" And this is a good time of year to make the contacts, they haven't gotten out in the fields yet so the landowners should be around when you stop by. Obviously bow hunters get a better reception than gun hunters, too. I'd tell them whether you're thinking of a climbing stand, or ground blind, too. I know it's intimidating to just drive up and knock, it's definitely intrusive. But just remember, this IS Wisconsin, where deer hunting is a given.

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

As most have said, definitely in person. Introduce yourself, make small talk and try your best not to sound like a salesperson. Just be yourself, make them comfortable before you ask. Even though they may so no, making an impression could change it to a yes later on.

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

Thanks again for the great advice...Except for GregH...I think I will leave myHarley at home.
It is kinda scary doing it face to face but if its going to get me in the woods more I will get past the initial awkwardness.

Huntress

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

Yup, always keep your eyes open. Opportunties to present themselves.

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

Do you have one?

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

No, not at the moment. I did have a 1975 sportster 1000cc, 4 " extended front end,pearl white with a blue flip flop.
I sold it a couple years ago after hip replacement surgery.

Huntress

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

You ought to be healed up and ready for another one by now!?:)

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

I wish I could but my other hip is going so I face another surgery. I thought about getting that adapter that Harley makes to make it a trike but I was talked out of it. Now I get my thrills by hitting the woods instead of hitting the roads.

Huntress

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

Go in person and ask them if they would care. Find out if they like deer on there property or not. If they dont like deer on there property tell them you will try really hard to harvest several deer that season. Be very polite
when your face to face.

RE: Gaining access to private lands
 

I would first drive the property and see if it is posted. Then just go up and ask. I always like to bring one of my younger kids - hard to turn you down with a cute snot nosed kid in tow.