Bowtech2005

well this weekend I am thinking about going out and asking permission to hunt I have never done it before I use to hunt on familys land and they got rid of it so now I have to go look for a place so what should I ask I want to hunt bow and shot gun if ya could help me out that would be great!!!!!

timbercruiser

Be upfront and honest with the landowner. Ask for permission for yourself, don't ask for friends, etc. Offer to pay for hunting rights, offer hunters insurance if it will help. Draw up a written agereement. Some landowners might not want you hunting on Sunday, if it gets that far ask if it is a problem. Usage of ATV's on the land and a lot of common sense questions might come to you later.

gregholland

Whomever gives you permission be sure to give back to them once you harvest something, even if you don't take it off their land.That's always a good gesture. Good luck.

nctaxi

I guess I was born with the gift for gab. I usually can get permission to hunt. First thing I do is find a spot, drive along looking for signs that say "hunt here", well the state puts them out and calls them deer crossing signs. Go Figure! Might as well be a neon sign to me. Also look for deer in fields, yards, gardens, etc. Then find out who owns the property, some states have plat map books, worked great for me in Michigan, these tell how large the property is, who owns it, who owns the adjoining land, etc. Then go knock on some doors. I usually look for them out in the yard, or drive or garden. At least outside. What's the first thing you say when someone knocks on your door? "Who the hell is this?" So if I can find them outside, stop and introduce yourself. Smile and be polite, if they're workin the garden, "nice looking garden, myself I can't grow facial hair let alone a garden. HA HA I happened to be driving by last night and had 6 deer cross the road in front of me. Almost hit one. Bet they wreek havoc on a garden." If you can get them to carry on with you, you are half way there. Gently work your way into hunting, if they object to "guns being fired near the house,cows, horses, grandchildren. "Oh no MR/Mrs........ I was looking for a place to bowhunt. It's a very safe means of hunting, as a matter of fact the deer are never safer than when I am bowhunting" When you let them know that your shots are elevated downward to the ground with shots never being more than 30 yards it helps them feel safe. Here in NC they have what is a "blue law" called "berry picker laws" meaning that if you are on someone's land for recreational purposes they cannot take legal actions for injuries occuring during. Another help is if you offer to do some chores or help out with some things, painting, splitting wood, cutting grass. Yea it sucks but it let's them know that you are responsible. Go out of your way to show them how much you appreciate them letting you hunt. One older couple, who used to let me hunt, get sweet corn from me a couple of times a summer and I'll sit and have some sweet tea and talk for a while. It led to me having access to friends of theirs property. Hope it helps and wasn't too long winded.