Having trouble asking permission to hunt.
 

I have been looking for some private land to hunt here in or around Marion, IN. But I can't seem to build up any nerve and don't know how to go about it. It just seems like alot to ask someone, to let a stranger come on to your land with a weapon (granted a bow but still a weapon). Just wondering if anyone has any tips. I want to do it the right way, be polite and not intrude. Any tips or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

RE: Having trouble asking permission to hunt.
 

varmint al had a great way on his web page. and i have done it his way and it works great. this is what i do

-dress nice and be polite
-tell them what you want to do and how it will help them out, ask if they need anything done that you could do to help out around their house. ex. chop wood
-give them a card with your name and number on it. if they say no at first they may for some reason decide to allow you later on. this way they know how to get ahold of you.
-thank them for whatever decision they make
-if they allow you to hunt their make sure they don't have to regret it!!! make sure when you leave their land it is how it was when you came.
-be friendly with them, ask them if they would like some of the meat. wave and say hello when ever you can

when you do these things it means a lot to people and it has always worked for me good luck

RE: Having trouble asking permission to hunt.
 

His ways should work really well, and another thing make sure you dont have any wepons or anything like that with you, i guess thats just common sense but i thought i would add that. BTW my freind got a real nice doe out of marion last season, but i hunt up in huntington. Good luck.

BB90

RE: Having trouble asking permission to hunt.
 

I agree with killer243's comments. One thing I like to do is write my name, vehicle, license number and home phone number on a 3x5 card and explain that should he allow you to hunt, this is what I drive and how to contact me should the situation change. This will help build a good working relationship and trust with the landowner. When he gives you permission, be sure you remember ALL the rules he demands of you.

RE: Having trouble asking permission to hunt.
 

I have a few things that work for me.

Remember all they can say is no.

I start now asking for permission to hunt woodchucks ( not saying a word about deer) , then in mid summer I ask for permission to hunt deer .

I wear no camo ( not even a hat)
I dress nice ,not like a big shot or a bumb
If from farmers I wear a local seed company hat.

I never ask in the spring planting or fall harvest rush ( unless the feilds are to wet to work)
I try to ask 9:30-11:00 AM or 1:30-4:30 PM ,never at lunch or supper time.
I stop and ask any time I see some one doing yard or garden work.

I carry permission slips printed out. and give them a coppy with my name, address ,phone # ,truck color and plate #

I tell them I will follow any rules they have ( time of day,day of week and what I can shoot)
I take down notes on rules in a 3 ring note book ,with maps ,permission slips Ect
I also say I will never drive in the feilds or down lanes when wet, ruts in the feild or lane = lose of permission
If you see trash pick it up even if it's not yours

If you get turned down smile and say "I am sorry that I bothered you"
Ask next year ,you never know

RE: Having trouble asking permission to hunt.
 

johnch,that was pretty good,you da mannow how about i fly you out to Maryland and you can do the dirty work for me bud.;)Of course i'll let you take first shot:D

RE: Having trouble asking permission to hunt.
 

It all sounds like a wonderful and polite way to go about things. I might have to try them out this fall where we hunt. There's a jackpot field where all the deer hang out in the early am and early pm that I know will produce a mature opportunity. Thanks for all the tips.

RE: Having trouble asking permission to hunt.
 

Its like anything else, the more you do it, the easier it gets. The worst thing they can do is say no. Once you get permission don't blow it by doing something you shouldn't be doing. Also a nice thing to do is give them a roll of summer sausage or a pack of chops if you get one.

RE: Having trouble asking permission to hunt.
 

All of the suggestions sound great. I find my property through ordinary conversations. I scout areas the I want to hunt all the time. Sometimes just from the road other times just hiking around. I have a lot of potential areas to hunt. While in normal talking to people I always work in the deer being out of control and you would be amaved how many people hate the deer. They either have a problem or know someone who does. Then I point out how I can be a solution.

It's worked very well for me. I have many more places to hunt then I can get out. I choose the best spots and also work in new places. I'm currently trying to gain access to some property in Alabama, just because I've never hunted there.

Good luck and never be afraid to ask.

RE: Having trouble asking permission to hunt.
 

Thanks for all of your ideas and tips. Sounds like I just need to man up and ask. Thanks again

RE: Having trouble asking permission to hunt.
 

I also find that older (70+) are more inclined to let you hunt than younger. They don't hunt themselves, they have old fashion notions about letting others use their property (actually letting them) and their children usually are older and don't hunt or are out of town. I got permission last year to hunt a farm behind where I work. I started out by asking her if I could walk her farm during my lunch hour for excersise. Later I told her I saw lots of deer sign and asked her if she allowed people to hunt. She let's me and my father hunt. A nice Christmas card or little gift (ham, jellies) helps solidify relations as well.

RE: Having trouble asking permission to hunt.
 

JD
You sure have gotten some good advice here,sure wish forums like this were available in my younger years. Here's few other items that you can also use that I saw were missed. Try remembering them at Christmas time with a card saying thank you. You'd be surprised what a little thank you card will get you. Another thing I do each and every time I walk their property I take a long a chain saw and cut trees that have fallen on there fence lines and clean it up by throwing the wood into the bush. They really do apreciate the things we do to help out and they also act as advertisement to other property owners also by telling them what we as hunters have done for them.
Take Care and God Bless
Youngfart

RE: Having trouble asking permission to hunt.
 

If you got any time you can swap labor for hunting privilages. It works for me, but sometimes you wonder who's getting the better deal.

RE: Having trouble asking permission to hunt.
 

Be warned that a lot of them know that some people will pay to hunt their land. Be prepared to be asked for money especially if he's been asked before. You might end up having to pay if the property has very good deer. It's simple economics and these people expect their land to make money.
If you don't want to pay then be prepared to ask a lot of people. If one says no then ask if he knows of another farmer who has a deer problem on his property. Go to that farmer and say, "Bob down the road refered me to you about the deer that have been giving you a problem, I'm a hunter and could realy help you clear them out." In his mind, you know his neighbor Bob and Bob think well enough of you to send you to him. You must be an okay guy.
Let them know that you will be safe and won't shoot around the livestock and will always close any gates. Give them every courtesy you'd want a stranger to give your own mother and you might end up with permission to hunt more properties than just his own.

RE: Having trouble asking permission to hunt.
 

Just a thought for you folks out there and it will save you a bunch of time in the long run, make sure you have a good, current plat book so you are actually asking the right people for permission to hunt the land you want to hunt. Bring it with you and the farmer might be able to point out where so and so who owns this section actually lives and that he/she allows hunting. Just a thought.