Asking for permission to hunt

[Ottawa_Rob]

I'm in the process of using geoOttawa to virtually scout land/farms so that I can go knock on doors to ask permission for hunting.

How do you introduce/break the ice with a land owner to ask permission?

Is it as simple as " Hi, I'm Rob and I was wondering if you have anyone that hunts your land or would be interested in having someone hunt?"

Should I drop a note in their mailbox and hope that someone gets back to me? Does bringing my son along increase my chances of having a conversation as opposed to a door being closed in my face?

Rob

[MikePal]

The first guy I let hunt here on my farm, I called after seeing his ad (request) on the bulletin board at the grocery store. Worked out great.

I might suggest you start by asking if they have anyone removing coyotes from the fields. It's a big problem for farmers and not to many guys hunt them. See if that opens any doors and then build on that for more access once you have gained his trust.

[Ottawa_Rob]

Posting an ad is a great idea. I think the local grocery store and home hardware have bulletin boards so I'll do something up for them.

I haven't been too interested in hunting coyotes but if it gets my foot in the door then I can do that too.

[rick_iles]

The first guy I let hunt here on my farm, I called after seeing his ad (request) on the bulletin board at the grocery store. Worked out great.

I might suggest you start by asking if they have anyone removing coyotes from the fields. It's a big problem for farmers and not to many guys hunt them. See if that opens any doors and then build on that for more access once you have gained his trust.

This.......I wouldn’t be too keen on responding to a notice like that if I were a landowner. Like Mike says, start out looking to clean up some coyotes. Landowners around here are very receptive to yote hunting. Build on that relationship. Taking your young son certainly won’t hurt.

[benjhind]

I usually just drive up and ask. I introduce myself and try my best to name drop "Beautiful spot you have here. I was talking to john farmer a couple miles over, he said he didn't know whether anyone hunted your property". If you get a "no", ask about the neighbourhood, if he/she knows any farmers that might be open to you hunting. Sometimes they'll tell you "so-and-so lets everyone in" or "you could try next door at the Jones's".

That way when you drive down the next laneway, you can say "Are you Mr. Jones? I was just talking to Mrs. Soandso and she said you might be willing to let a new hunter in on your property".

I do my best on recognizance to know whose door I'm knocking on but sometimes you just have to just wing it. These days I'm only asking for waterfowl in neighbourhoods I've hunted before so my success isn't terrible (I always specify I'm asking to hunt the field once or just for the season etc. so that they know I won't show up for the next 20 years without talking to them).

My best deer spot was a location where I asked the farmer every year for 5 years. On year 5 he says "and what do you want this time" I say I'm still looking to hunt that property and he says "oh yeah, the guy that hunted it died... come drive tractor for me this weekend and you can hunt it"

Good luck!

[MikePal]

This.......I wouldn’t be too keen on responding to a notice like that if I were a landowner..

He was away from home , last year at college and was then hired on with he RCMP...figured he was OK

[rick_iles]

He was away from home , last year at college and was then hired on with he RCMP...figured he was OK

Yea, I would say so !! When I get talking with various landowners, you hear some real horror stories of guys basically disrespecting the land. It happens every year here with guys gaining access to the lake to ice fish, then leave tons of garbage laying around. No wonder landowners are reluctant to give permission. My advice would be to treat the property better than if it was yours!!!

[trimmer21]

I'm in the process of using geoOttawa to virtually scout land/farms so that I can go knock on doors to ask permission for hunting.

How do you introduce/break the ice with a land owner to ask permission?

Is it as simple as " Hi, I'm Rob and I was wondering if you have anyone that hunts your land or would be interested in having someone hunt?"

Should I drop a note in their mailbox and hope that someone gets back to me? Does bringing my son along increase my chances of having a conversation as opposed to a door being closed in my face?

Rob

Just be honest and up front from the get-go without the "smoke-blowin' ". People can spot a phony from a mile away with predictable results. I have business cards printed with my name,address, phone number and OFAH,CCFR and NRA affiliation listed. Even if they say "no thanks" leave the card with them in case they have a change of heart.

[greatwhite]

I generally just go ask. But the question is what time of the day. Since most of the land around me belongs to Dairy farm I generally go in the afternoon just before or after milking or I look to see if someone is around. Over the years I just got a feel for it. If you see them unloading straw or hay don't be afraid to get dirty and give a hand. Yeah and don't show up in a suit and tie, you will just look real silly. No how to talk the talk with a farmer. Some if it just comes naturally for me. I probably look more like a red neck than a computer programmer at least that's what they say at work.

[JMatthews]

Just be honest and up front from the get-go without the "smoke-blowin' ". People can spot a phony from a mile away with predictable results. I have business cards printed with my name,address, phone number and OFAH,CCFR and NRA affiliation listed. Even if they say "no thanks" leave the card with them in case they have a change of heart.

Being a rural land owner myself, I agree with the comment above. Be honest, don’t be in a hurry, b3 polite and dress neatly but not in hunting gear. Mentioning that you have liability insurance as a member of OFAH can help. Having a business card is a great idea. When asking permission try to think of this as a long term relationship. Once permission is granted, make sure you ask how and when you can access their property. It’s also a good idea to find out if they want to be contacted before you hunt.
I regularly stop and talk to the owners of my one Waterfowl hunting spot, pretty much every time I hunt there. I also give them cards that I have made from photos of birds etc that I took on their property. Offering to put up nesting boxes for Wood Ducks is also well received.
Be open, honest and never go to the front door of old farm houses.