????'s on asking farmers/landowners for hunting Permission
 

Hoping to hit the deer a little harder and a little more seriously next year and I was wondering if after the season is over and i find a couple big deer while spotting... would it be too early to ask for permission for next year? and do you ask to hunt for one day or all season? any little tips would be great! THANX

RE: ????'s on asking farmers/landowners for hunting Permission
 

It's never too early to ask for permission.
Ask for the whole season!

RE: ????'s on asking farmers/landowners for hunting Permission
 

Never to early !!!!!!!!
Just be dressed nice ,not like a big shot or slob.
Never at lunch or supper time.
Be humble.
Take permission slips .
Ask if there are any areas off limits .
Say you will post area if they want , and do it.
Tell them that you will not drive down the lane if it is wet, even if it means you have to drag your deer a long ways.

RE: ????'s on asking farmers/landowners for hunting Permission
 

It Is never to late to get permission to hunt. If you have mechanical skills offer them to fix a tractor or if you own a bissness offer something from it, if you know how to farm offer you labor. A little sweat and good will goes a long way. This method has worked for me in several states. Remember it is better to ask for permission in strees clothes.

RE: ????'s on asking farmers/landowners for hunting Permission
 

All the top information is great.One thing that really works here as well,especially if its a complete stranger,Is write up a permission slip with both you and his signature on it.Something in the line of ,if you hurt yourself on his property then he will not be responsible for the injury.
You would be suprised on how many people will trip over a fence,fall from a tree,step in a ground hawg hole ,etc and go back on the owner and sue him because the hole wasn't supposed to be there etc.
Go to his or her door,dressed respectfully,and ask in a polite manner if you can hunt there property in the up coming season.If they agree then ask if they want to sign the paper.This will make things a little more comfortable for the land owner.
If they deny you permission then dont get mad and storm out,politely say thank you for your time and maybe someday they may change there mind.KINDNESS goes a long way.

RE: ????'s on asking farmers/landowners for hunting Permission
 

AS a land owner who gets asked A LOT by people if they can hunt some of our ground for animals ranging from coons to deer a few things go a long way.

Talk to me in the spring. Heck, talk to me in December about next year. Don't wait for hunting season to start and show up in a truck filled with people in camo asking if it would be okay if you and your 6 buddies go hunting. I don't know you and I sure as heck am not going to be happy with your aproach. I have had this happen for archery and firearm seasons and the answer was no. A little respect goes a long way.

Don't flag me down like it is an emergancy when I am working a group of cattle. Generally, if you walk up slowly and calmy and wait by a gate I will be there as soon as I can. Or wait for the tractor to show back up at the gate after I finished feeding. I know a previous poster said lunch is a bad time but around here that is the best time to talk to a farmer becasue they don't mind there meals going a little longer, they mind starting some work and being delayed.

In Illinois we have the state slips of liability. Bring those becasue without them, well, you have no proof that I gave you permission and I have no proof that you waived liability. Offer to help with something, anything. When I lived out west the rule of thumb was, if you had any knowledge about things, show up at branding, calving or lambing and offer to help. Try to build a relationship with the farmer/rancher and you will be way ahead of the game.

When you are told no, and you will be from time to time, accept the decision and move on. Don't lie and hunt the ground anyways and try telling people that so and so gave you permission or that it was a mistake, you thought you were hunting Mr. Smith's land. I know who most of my neighbors give hunting rights to and they know who I give them to. Neigbors talk out here in farm land and often a bad experience with one hunter will label that guy as a bad apple on all farms. Or worse, make the farmers in the area shut down their land all together for a few years. Most farmers would be happy to let you hunt because of crop damage or their grain trucks smaking into deer all winter long. They would rather see a hunter get him than that.

Good luck with your quest for new hunting ground.

Anthony

RE: ????'s on asking farmers/landowners for hunting Permission
 

In addition to the above, I would also bring a CV with you. This will help to let them get to know who you are. Tell them you will let them know when you are going to be out there to - tell them you will call ahead if they like. And offer to give them some of the kill. I plan on asking a nearby landowner soon, and offering him half of the meat.
Remember to consider this an interview, just as if you were applying for a job you want, and act and dress accordingly.
Good luck finding your honey hole!

RE: ????'s on asking farmers/landowners for hunting Permission
 

Any tips for a guy who gets really really nervous approaching people to ask to hunt? I have done it a few times in my life, but there are a lot of other places I could try for that I just back out of[&:]

RE: ????'s on asking farmers/landowners for hunting Permission
 

Same with me Ryan. I'm not real comfortable asking strangers for anything. My brother in-law usually does the talking. He'll ask anyone for anything. He's never been turned down either. We have properties that we haven't had enough time to scout yet. He just keeps gaining access in case something changes on one of our other properties. I think a good place to start would be the apple orchard and the farm next to him out near your place. From what I hear they allow everyone and anyone to hunt their property. It might build the confidence a little. I didn't get time to go out there this year and gain permission.

RE: ????'s on asking farmers/landowners for hunting Permission
 

Excelente post IL Rancher. It's nice to get perspective from the other side.

I like to get my foot in the door early. Ask for permission to hunt sheds in the winter or spring. Dress nicely, and be polite. The couple of times I've asked I got the name of the people I was going to see before hand so when I knocked on the door at least I knew their last name.

A thankyou note can also go a long way wether or not you gain permission. If you were denied, send a thank you note and make sure there is a return address on it. It may be enough to sway their opinion.

RE: ????'s on asking farmers/landowners for hunting Permission
 

It's not too early. Ask if there is anything he could use your help with. If you have any special skill (ie welding etc.), offer your skills to help. I welded/repaired a farmers cutting deck on his lawn mower and we are friends for life. I helped another with reparing a drainage to a pond, and same thing. Don't be strangers if you do get permission. I've seen a lot of guys that just show up when the season starts, and people do not always appreciate it. Offer venision also.

From the other side, I had two guys post my land (something that I just couldn't get to for a few years). I was very happy with the offer, and they now have permission to gun hunt my land.

RE: ????'s on asking farmers/landowners for hunting Permission
 

Heres another twist to the topic. I am a veterinarian, and so i definitely have some skills to offer landowners in exchange for permission to hunt. However, I am just an associate at the clinic and not a partner. SO, I guess I feel like if i offer my time for free working cattle, vaccinating horses, hogs, whatever, I am taking money out of my bosses pocket. If I was a partner in the clinic I would have no hesitation at all, but my working time, truck, supplies, equipment is not mine- its my bosses. Right??? What do you guys think??

RE: ????'s on asking farmers/landowners for hunting Permission
 

dogdr,

I see where you are coming from there. It sounds like you are in anenviable position though as you will be a partner one day. I would offer my services and offer to help them with anything that I could without using the bosses equipment. I would tell them if they could the medicine then I would give shots etc. and I would tell them if they ever need you to come look at a cow or horse or help with a delivery etc. that you would be happy to help. I would definetly try to benefit from the position though.

RE: ????'s on asking farmers/landowners for hunting Permission
 

I have made up a hunting resume'. I send it to farmers/landowners before I even
knock on the door. The resume' is professional and printed off a computer so it looks great. It is cheap to produce also.
Tell the person you are seeking permission , the highlighs about who you are.
Keep it to one page like a job resume'. Tell them your name, address, age, family info.,
contact phone #'s, including a cell phone if you have one. Give the highlighs of your hunting background and stress you are safe and ethical. I also include 2 copies of the liability permission slips for them to sign. (Ohio)
I also stress to them that no other person will hunt the property unless they are with me at the time. They like to hear this. Then they know you are not telling all your buddies it is o.k. to go there. If I am bringing a friend, I call and leave a message with the landowner each time letting them know who is with me.
This is all mostly common sense but it works. Hope it helps.

RE: ????'s on asking farmers/landowners for hunting Permission
 

Bounce the question off your partner's first. I would imagine they would say "go for it".

RE: ????'s on asking farmers/landowners for hunting Permission
 

Great replies from all...

IL Rancher: That is some great unput from a farmers aspect, it is nice to know just what is the best way to ask someone. I have done it the past 2yrs with 100% success, and it does work, but you have to be ready for NO's, otherwise it is not made for you. Question though, this year I could not find those Permission/Liability Sheets, the year before I printed them off of the DNR website, but I could not find them this year. Do you know where I can find those?

Thanks

RE: ????'s on asking farmers/landowners for hunting Permission
 

I used to have it on my computer but I can't find it. Maybe, and this is just a guess, DNR pulled it becasue of the new liability regulations in Illinois. That is just a wild guess. I know the landowners around here were ticked off about it and I read an article in an Illinois farm journal but.... Again, just guessing.

RE: ????'s on asking farmers/landowners for hunting Permission
 

I live in Northeast Massachusetts, and there are'nt many farms here! But I do drive through one and had a big ol buck run in front of my Dad's car. I would like to ask this landowner for permission to hunt his farm.
Would it be nice of me to write a formal letter? Asking him if he needs the deer herd thinned? Or should I show up at his door? What do I say to whom ever answers the door. Hi im Jim where is the landowner? Thanks

Jim

RE: ????'s on asking farmers/landowners for hunting Permission
 

Thanks IL Rancher. Good post, I am saving it.

I also am very timid about asking. I'm a purty aggressive individual, but not when it comes to blatantly asking for favors that I don't have a way to return, and access is a BIG favor. I don't know how many times a year these owners get bothered. It is easy to ask someone who I helped with something or who are acquaintances of friends, but not cold calls.

What I have found, however, once I get in, is that the smallest of thank you's seem to go a long way. I'll bet a lot of people don't bother. My sons make up thank you cards on the computer with their trophy photo on the front, and maybe a Christmas wreath or cookies or sausage from the deer, and it makes a big impression. If they don't get deer on the guy's property - hell with him. No, just kidding. Those people get thank you's, too.

It's much easier to ask for your kids than for yourself. Unless owners are anti hunters, they seem to love helping kids. I also tell owners that we pride ourselves in being respectful hunters. For all the owner knows, I could be lying, but just saying it lets him know I understand.

The other gift owners really appreciate is a bag of trash you collected from their property. I was camping with my sons two years ago in summer near a fence on state land. We're scouts; we always pick up more trash than we bring in. The bordering rancher watched us, then drove up on his 4x4, and told us we could camp on his land any time. My bold son says, "Can we hunt it, too?" He got a chuckle out of my son. We now have full rights on his posted land. Lucky day.

Wanted to add - thanks for all the posts, not just IL. All very useful.

RE: ????'s on asking farmers/landowners for hunting Permission
 

That's still perfect. Let him know of what you do, and if he ever needs an opinion or there is an emergency to call you.