getting permission to hunt
 

I was just curious as to how everybody goes about getting permission to hunt on someone's land? has anybody noticed one way of asking to be better than an other?

RE: getting permission to hunt
 

I only hunt on land that my friends own and go with the straight forward approach - "Do you mind if I hunt on your land?". If they allow me to hunt on their property, I assume full liability of anything that could possibly go wrong. I guess I'd use the same tactic if I was wanting to hunt on someone's land that I don't know. I'm pretty straight forward like that though.

The worse they can say is "No.".

RE: getting permission to hunt
 

these days networking is much better than knocking on doors. what i mean by that is using people close to you to get you permission. maybe their family has a farm or family has land or something. mom got me permission a couple places with people she works with..buddys got me permission here and there..a professor gave me permission to hunt her 52 acres..lead me to a guy with 100 acres..he led me to a guy with a really large looking farm i need to visit some day...

i still knock on doors..but these days around here its getting tough...heavily posted land and dont want noone on it seems like its the norm...but it doesnt hurt to ask. all they can say is no. thank them and be on your way. the only permission ive gotten by knocking on doors is people that dont own the land i thought they did. just be yourself..be courteous..show up at good hours(not at night or dinner time or 6am or anything strange) introduce yourself and tell them you noticed alot of land around and were wondering if they might possibly let you hunt it.

RE: getting permission to hunt
 

It would depend on how well or if I know the landowner. If I know them well I wouldjust ask. If they are an aquantance I've met a time or two, what I did the last time was send a letter and kind of "give the landowner the ball". He called me almost right away and I now have access to 1800 acres of private ground. If I didn't know the landowner at all, I'd probably stop by to introduce myself and ask in person. I'd also make sure I looked halfway decent when I stopped by. Hope this helps

RE: getting permission to hunt
 

I just drive up and, without being dressed in any camo, get right to the point andask for permission to hunt on their land. Most people I have asked over the years don't want anyone hunting deer on their land, because of family, and close friends, etc. hunting deer on their property. I then politely ask just tospring turkey hunt during just the month of May here in NY. Most times, I get a yes response, especially if I make it a point that it will be only me, myself, and I doing the hunting. If I do get a yes, I make it a point of buying a small pen knife and giving that to themshowing myappreciation. Works for me.;)

RE: getting permission to hunt
 

Well, it's a good gesture and friendly thing to do especially if you're a hunter yourself, but if you give permission to hunt on your property and somethinghappens to them on your property, you are liable for damages.

Guys, everything has to be in writing! Enter At Your Own Risk........And Signed By Them AfterSecuring theirIdentification. Another risky task, if you chargeto hunt your property, you better have a good HuntersInsurance Policy enforced.

RE: getting permission to hunt
 

When I hunt other states or in my own state, it's been a mix of knowing someone and getting permission that way or having to knock on a few doors. I just try to treat people as I'd want to be treated. I usually ask permission fairly quick into the conversation and then listen to what they are saying. I've met some really good people hunting out west and in the midwest as well and I probably wouldn't have met them if I hadn't asked. As an example, a hunting partner of mine had gotten permission to turkey hunt on a farm in this valley. So I tagged along the next spring and asked who lived down the valley road. He didn't know so I went down to ask permission to hunt. The owner said "Yes" and we hunted. The next year, he invited us in for supper and it just rolled on from there. I started bringing my deep fryer along and cooking turkeys and walleyes for them and the neighboring farm. They were good people and I made a few good friends out of the deal. Just shows you what can happen when you knock on a few doors!!!

RE: getting permission to hunt
 

I have not done much searching out for property, but one way I have come to find out is asking for permission to shed hunt this time of year. (look for antlers) just in case you didnt know. This in one way to break the ice and just get a foot in the door. They will find they like you and may make it easier to get hunting permision. I have not done this myself but sure seems like a great idea.

RE: getting permission to hunt
 

I start by asking for small things. For example, I rarely ask to bowhunt deer right away. I start with permission to shed hunt or turkey hunt. Most farmers aren't big fans of turkeys, so they will gladly let you hunt. If you get on, make sure you buy them a gift in appreciation. Treat the land like it is your own. Then when you go back for permission the next year or for some other type of hunting, they will remember how well the first season went.

RE: getting permission to hunt
 

As long as the landowner does not charge a fee his liability is small,he is protected by law. This however would not stop a shrewd lawyer from tying you up in court.

RE: getting permission to hunt
 

Well I have asked for permission for years and this is how I go about it.

1. I get a platt map of an area I would like to hunt to see who owns the land.
2. I research and try to get addresses. All you need is one place to start.
3. We send letters (see below - it was from a scouting trip)
4. If we have time we drive to check out the land and look for turkeys.

In the letter

We include who we are.
We include that it is a privledge to hunt there and it is not a 'yearly' given thing. We ask for permission each and every year and that is whythe persmission slip is dated.
These permission slips do help as we have been challenged from others. Easy to pull out a slip and then a copy of the platt map. Shows ther person right where we have been granted to hunt. Stops all arguments.
We do try to give the landowner something. Some has been actual work on their land and others it is company product I can get very cheaply or some of my city's finest danish kringle! We do not pay tresspass fees so far!
We also ask the land onwer if they would like to meet us. Face to face is best as then they know who they are dealing with.
If told NO - I do send athank you letter stating I appreciate your return letter.
Again we stress that hunting is a privledge and NOT a right!
We treat all land with great respect. If we see anything out of the ordinary we tell them. And the landowner is a great resource as they can tell you where they have seen birds! Trust them.

Now for a return letter we start looking at surrounding property and ask the person if we could use them for a reference.

Been doing this over 20 years and has worked great! Most landowners I now call via phone and do my AT&T turkey scouting. Saves me a trip.

JW

Below is my letter
Dear Mr. or Mrs. Name hereMonday, April 04, 2005

[I found this guys phone number by using the paltt and calling his brother.]

[WE SAW 4 BIG TOMS FIGHT]

It sure was a pleasure talking to you on the phone. I really want to thank you for the privilege to use your land to hunt turkeys this year. As I said, witnessing that all out 4 Big Ole Tom Brawl for hen dominance was really something to see!

Again - I am 55 years old, married for over 30 years, blessed with two girls, one who is married and one who is in college. And I am a Grandpa as of March 20th! J I have one daughter who hunts and one that does not – it is their choice!
I am a certified state of Wisconsin Hunter Education Instructor, also Wisconsin Master Level High School volleyball referee, and stay active trying to help kids of all ages. As you know, I am an avid turkey hunter as well as my partner Jim Yonker. I also train pointing dogs for myself and do judge dogs for a pointing dog organization. I just love to hunt birds. I worked my way up through the company I work for and am now a Sr. Research Scientist – I work on the Raid brand of products at Johnson Wax. My father –name was born in Stanwood, MI and my Great-Grandfather’s farm is now a county park – aka Brower County Park. Along US 131.
Jim is from Holland MI., while I was born in Racine, WI. Jim taught me turkey hunting almost 18 years ago.

Jim Yonker is married, has a son and daughter, one in high school and the other in college. He also is an avid turkey hunter.

Again why I called was to seek permission to hunt - we are not trespassers no matter how good it looks. We are hunters who live by principles, respect the land we are privileged to hunt on and always ask for written permission each & every[/b] time we hunt! After all in today’s light, hunting is a privilege[/i] and not a right! Same thing I teach to my students.

Our season is Monday April 18 to Sunday April 25.
I drive a Ford F150 Pickup extended cab all black in color, WI License.. XXXXXX
Jim has a silver-blue Century 4 door car. WI License .. XXXXXX
We do not drive on fields. We do not hunt near buildings. Not only is that unsafe – it is unethical!

We will be scouting the 2 days before season, starting the morning on Saturday April 16 to pattern birds. I hope the several we saw on your farm are still there! But we will find out.

I have included a self-stamped addressed envelope for your convenience with the permission slip. I also informed you we give consumer products from the company we work for to landowners.
I would like to know if there is a hiding place by one of your outbuildings we could leave it. It will have a variety of product to include Zip-Loc bags and containers, Glade air freshener, Off repellent, Glade candles, Windex glass cleaner - what ever I can buy from the company store. If you don’t like it please give it away. It is our way of thanking you and our way of thanking our company as if you like the product you may just buy it! So we all win.

I have included a stamped-self addressed envelope for your return written reply. [contains the permission slip as we only will take written permission - some states it is the law!]

Thanks ever so much!
[I do sign my name]

Name, address, phone & cellnumber, color of truck and year and make, truck license plates and e-mail put here

Partner’s Bio I put below







[/align]


I give Dave and Jim permission to hunt turkeys on my property, April 18-24, 2005.

_____________________________________________
Signature Date

Place I would like to leave the product?

RE: getting permission to hunt
 

RE: getting permission to hunt
 

For Property Owners

I, Andy Rooney

grant Dave and Jim permission to hunt turkeys on my property at their own risk and do not hold property owner liable for any accidents while on said property, fromApril 18 to24 only, 2005. Grantees will be held Liable for any property damages and or fires started while on said property.

Said persons have beenIdentified as Dave Crockett and Jim Bowie.

Drivers License # G 620-118-0000 & G 810-0017


_____________________________________________
Signature Date

RE: getting permission to hunt
 

wow, I didnt think I was gonna get such a response! thanks to everyone so far. I have asked one farmer to predator hunt and he just said no, and that was the end of his conversation. I said thanks for his time and went on my way. I have a few more farms in the area that I am going to ask for turkey hunting. Thanks again.

RE: getting permission to hunt
 

Davey Crocket here - hey thanks Rebel Hog - that was sure nice of ya!

Yes I did wear a coonskin cap as a kid and did watch Davey Crockett on the newly invented TV :)

Did I date myself!

JW

RE: getting permission to hunt
 

Hey good if they say 'No' thank them for their time and be on your way.


keep knocking all of them will not say NO - tho I did get bloody knuckles.....

it is how you present yourself - selling your soul - that they will remember!

We practice asking for permission in each of the Hunter Educations courses I teach.

Oh and what I preach - I practice!

JW

RE: getting permission to hunt
 

Very nice letter example JW!....very nice indeed. That covers everything!

RE: getting permission to hunt
 

I have found to try and find land through friends, relatives, and such. In our state you have to have a written permission slip from the landowner. You have to keep this with you at all times. For the most part I will try and meet the landowner and talk to them. I don't wear camo or stuff like that. I want to give them a regular look. don't be pushy and ask politely after you've talked to them. I have some friends in Missourri that I have known a long time. if they have anything to do around the place I offer to help. Just be freindly and polite. This will open more doors than anything. Gbl4Me...

RE: getting permission to hunt
 

I belive in the network concept, you should have an in of some sort ,if you dont you got your work cut out for ya. my haunts usally have come to light after coffee, dinner, a movie, doing a free favor or a helping hand doing somthing the land owner doesnt want to do. this usally under the right surcumstance will open more land than you will have time to hunt.

RE: getting permission to hunt
 

Ask about hunting groundhogs. Prove yourself safe and reliable. It will help to get the nod to hunt deer and turkey. This has worked for me many times. Plus, I love to groundhog hunt.;)