What are some tips etc... on what to say and how to approach landowners?
Printable View
What are some tips etc... on what to say and how to approach landowners?
I have made up business cards with my info on it as well as a hunting resume with all of my outdoor related accomplishments throughout my lifetime. This has worked better than well for me, I have had neighbors of farmers who's property I hunt call me to shoot coyotes or pigeons as the farmer has stuck my card up on his fridge. I also inform them of the third party liability insurance I carry through the OFAH, that has helped me as well. Offer them game or help around the farm, some of the farmers whos property I hunt just appreciate a coffee in the am and someone to shoot the breeze with for a little while.
I always mention the OFAH Insurance at some point, and always offer to give a hand around the farm. Some actually call me to haul in hay, others to shoot down sick cows and other never ask for help in return.
I introduce myself and ask. I have a few who wish I would come by more often.
Ive never had to ask out of the blue, but I'd approach it like a job interview. Dress nice, be respectful, make eye contact etc.
If you are a bow hunter most owners are a lot more willing to let me on the property if I say I am bow hunting (which I am for deer and turkey). A lot of land owners have a bad taste in their mouths about the large deer groups doing drives and shooting everything that moves. I take pictures and videos when I hunt so I usually offer to show that I am not out shooting everything and that I am very selective before I pull the trigger. I have a bit of an advantage though as I work for a farm supply so I basically have a giant rolodex and maps of farms to use to find land owners as well. I also leave all my contact info so if they have any questions at any time they can contact me. Always offer game meat or gift basket or booze whatever they like.
respect for the property and it's owner is number one. Make sure you know all the boundaries and "rules" for that farm.
"Hi my name is _______ and I'm looking for new hunting opportunities"
Don't beat around the bush. Be upfront but casual - most places I drive into are working farms and they're always busy. Leave your contact info with them.
I should have added, if they have a dog get down and pet the dog. This actually made the difference for me a few years back, a farmer had initially said no (very nicely I might add). When I was leaving his dog got out and ran up to me, I got down to pet the dog and bring it back to him. When I got back to his door, he asked "What was your name again?", I hunted that farm untilI moved. The way you present yourself really does have a big impact. On the flipside I have a buddy that has a really really thick accent and he has a hard time getting farmers permision anywhere, don't know if that was appropriate to divulge but it's true.
Smile, dress decent, bring a business card. Also, pick your battles...look for the more modest looking farms/houses (or worse), the mansion with the range rover in the driveway is going to be a long shot. Being local really helps too, I've had alot of farmers tell me that If I'd been from the city no chance.
As others have said, offer something up in return and if you bow hunt ask about that first to get your foot in the door.
You are more likely to get permission if you hunt alone but if you want to hunt with a friend, bring them when you ask.
Dont be nervous or fearful of rejection either, in my experience the most common reason for getting shut down is because there are already people with permission there. I have never had a landowner that gave a rude no and some have even provided names and locations of people who might say yes.
Good luck.
Offer to share some meat.
I find its easier once you get one good piece of property. Our main piece of land we treat the land owner like gold, we take him a case of beer some game sausage, a few roasts, help out around the farm. in turn he has personally called a few other farms and got us permission on those properties
Dan
Quote:
Originally Posted by myot
Good tip, just because you have permission for one season doesnt make it permanent. Keep letting the landowners know that you appreciate them. A bottle at Christmas goes a long way.
Asking permission in areas that others have been turkey hunting for 25 years is not going to be easy. Most have made on going contracts. The insurance thing can work against you as fast as it can for you as most farmers want NO Part of any problems Not a good idea at all in my eyes. Finding a new turn over of property with owners is a higher advancement for the new turkey hunter as the sport has been flooded and land is going to be a large problem now on.
I have to disagree on the insurance point it has worked and continues to work well for me. It is called piece of mind, the land owner does not know me and the fact that I carry insurance shows responsibility on my part. No one wants to have an accident, but being prepared shows foresight and an interest in protecting the landowner. If anything I would think a landowner would be more apt to let a person on their land that has all of their bases covered. I have about two dozen properites I am able to access for hunting and I have a good relationship with all of the landowners, and in some cases I have permission to retrieve game from neighboring properties that do not allow hunting.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ontario Hunter
Disagree or not, I've had it happened and lost some good property. I intend not to mislead anyone here and only give facts that help. The insurance thing is a OFAH gain and nothing else. Hunters here want to suck up to such nonsense but have at it. Try to collect that could be a different story.
I guess your advice is far superior then mine so Good Luck I've been at it for over the 25 years and hunt the same areas as sgb .
Quote:
Originally Posted by skeeter1
its not rocket science guys. just ask politely, don't be nervous. the worst they can do it say no...actually on rare occaisions they will sic the farm dog on you but that has only happened once lol.
never had anyone take me up on an offer of help around the farm. farming is a proper business these days...they don't want some smuck driving there machinery or even worse getting hurt.
if they say no its nothing personal and move on. competition is fierce for hunting land. if they have hunters on already then so be it.
How is the insurance an OFAH gain only?? I was offering my opinion, with personal experience to back it up, not throwing out wild unfounded accusations of insurance misuse and hunters sucking up. Grow up man it's a forum, I am allowed to diagree with you and will try to do it in a respectful manner. BTW I have been at this hunting thing for close to 40 years now, so I am not a newb either:)Quote:
Originally Posted by Ontario Hunter
Given what you posted, his is, sorry chum.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ontario Hunter
Not only is the fact that you carry liability insurance a good thing, particularly in Southern ON ( where landowners are fairly concerned with 3rd party liability), but the fact that the OFAH has the forms granting permission available to fill out, shows a bit of consideration.
I've hunted a few places who wouldn't give permission unless you had it....so much for "sucking up to such nonsense".
To speak to the OPs original post.
Be polite, courteous. When people refer to going "hat in hand" it's no joke...take your hat off and remember all the manners you have been taught over the years.
Oh, and just because someone else has permission, doesn't mean the door is closed. If it's a good spot, with lots of room. If the owner indicates that he's already given permission to "another fella" ask politely if you might be able to speak to the guy. It wouldn't be the first piece of land that got shared.
Given the "tone" of his post I wold say losing the property had nothing to do with carrying or not carrying insurance:)Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluebulldog
Typical mud slinging at the OOD. I'll type as I want, never seen reason for slamming at all. I'm not conflicting the issue, You want it Go for it, but there is also no reason to come back and try to slam my reply, You said your opinion allow others to do so too, with out your Professional responds to debate it. Replying to a thread 5 times only looks like Control problem or Bullying a thread.
Quote:
Originally Posted by skeeter1
on the insurance note - think of it as a sales pitch. if you bring up insurance and liability then all you are doing is putting the idea/possibilty of something going wrong in the landowners mind - bringing it front and center. if it is something they bring up then go ahead and tell them about your insurance etc. all I can say is that it has never been an issue that any farmer has brought up with me.
don't forget that from a farmers perspective hunters are also a bit of a nuisance - one more thing to take them away from thier chores and jobs. for the most part any hint of problems is going to not go in your favour.
I will respectfully disagree with the angle of trying to share properties with other hunters. In my expierience it often does not work out all that great. To me I have come to the conclusion that if someone else is hunting I will try and pay them the respect of leaving them to the place. I am sure there are many people who have made great friends from sharing permission and others who have shared permission and it all works out, I just have expierience that it is far from ideal.
Well Said !
Quote:
Originally Posted by GBuck
Not sure where you're getting that from.Quote:
Originally Posted by GBuck
Most properties I've hunted on, not only am I welcomed, but they also appreciate any predator control that happens while I'm there.
Never once have I interrupted or taken the owner away from his tasks, but he has appreciated the coffee I brought him out in the barn while working.
Sorry, but you offered your opinion, then I mine which was different than yours which you apparantly took offence to, something about hunters sucking up to such nonsense. Then a little poke by implying my advice was better than yours in some childish tone. I never said my advice was better than yours, only what I have discovered and what makes sense to me through my experience, which like yours is fairly vast. I do apologize for the comment to BD regarding your post, that was uncalled for, but the negative undertones continue through your posts. Time to time people are going to have differing opinions and even some debate, don't take offence to it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ontario Hunter
The past couple weekends I've been helping out my landowner clean up his property a bit. He enjoys the help and company for sure.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluebulldog
its a general tip - not directed at what you wrote in particular
just be aware that farmers can be very busy people, don't assume they have nothing better to do than sit around shooting the b.s. with hunters. imagine having 5 hunters come knock on your door/bother you in the barn asking to hunt the turkeys/ducks they see in your field over the course of a week. sometimes they are not busy, it depends on the type of farming and the time of year.
here's a specific tip - turkey season often overlaps with planting time. if you don't get your planting done then you probably aren't going to have a very good harvest. if you want to ask for permission to hunt turkeys and you see them planting or getting ready to do so then don't interrupt them.
Ah...see I usually do my asking in the off season.
That brings up another great tip, ask early! Dont start banging on doors 2 weeks before the opener, try 2 months........especially if you are in a competitive area.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluebulldog
On my last section of land the part that probably got me access was security.. Being a local. I was always near by and driving by regularly.. They liked that. That.. And the fact that played fetch with his dog..
Who ever had hunting business cards can you send me a picture of one of them. I wouldn't mind making some up.