hey again,
i am having trouble finding good, or any, hunting land/leases in Md. I dont really like public land but i have no other land to really hunt turkey + deer + whatever. I was wandering how you guys, your friends and families go about finding hunting land - either for lease, hunting clubs, exhanging farm work for hunting privilieges . I really hate public land, i feel like im the one being hunted with all the competetion, it sort of isnt safe. anyways, please post a reply or send an email ([email protected]) and help me out, i would really appreciate it.

geterdun

Take one or more of your young kids, while they're still cute and tell the land owner that you're trying to find a spot to teach them how to hunt. If you don't have any kids or ones that are cute, borrow some from some one that does!

if it's farmland offer to help with work around the farm, mend fences, offer the person meat, if you are of a certain proffession like a mechanic offer your services for free, and stuff like that. that's just naming a few.

I found myself installing carpet on a ranch in wy. on an antalope hunt and ended up shooting a 15" goat on his ranch .I live Pa.

I agree with above, ask for permission with a cute little kid along. If you don't have one or can't borrow one, the next best thing is swing by the local old farts home and grab one with a walker and offer him a buffet dinner for tagging along while you ask. Ask with the old fart crawling along and ask for permission for the old timer and you... it will work more often than not.

Other options,
[ul][*]ask to hunt coyotes or woodchuck's first. Once you have established yourself as trust worthy you can ask for more access.[*]Offer something in return. I once offered a summer beach hotel stay for a couple in exchange for being allowed to spend my vaca hunting on their property. They were so impressed they gave me access and never cared to use the vaca offer, which I would have gladly done.[*]Check out the property and look for something that needs help doing. When asking to offer help, be specific. I have seen most people aren't prepared with a chore for you to do, but if you see a fence that needs patching and offer to do that specifically people tend to weigh the worth of you doing that task with hunting access.[*]In Maryland in particular, make up some cards that offer for free to help in deer / landscape or garden conflicts and leave cards all over the local nursery's and garden supply stores.[/ul]
Those ideas ALL work, the toughest part for most people is just asking. Ask nicely enough times and you will quickly gain access to more land.

Md Jay,

I like the last idea on the list, about the cards in nureries. But, how would i go about it. Would i just give the card/flier to the employee and tell them to "spread the word", hang it up myself? also, what would i write on the card? any suggestions would be great , thanjks

geterdun

Every town has one or two coffee shops where the locals hang out. Check them out and try to strike up a conversation with a few.

Open your check book