How do you approach a farmer for hunting permission

[NorthernGrouse]

Lots of good advice here. For me, the hardest part is walking up to the door and knocking. Get use to hearing "no we don't like guns" and "no we already have given another guy permission" and "no, we used to let guys hunt but they left gates open, or they brought a friend without asking first, or they .... ". Despite all the "nos" most people are nice about it and the experience isn't bad .... occasionally someone will be nasty but that is very rare.

Twice after being told no, I just accepted it, thanked him and said I understood his position. I stayed around a few minutes and talked about his herd or crops, shared a bit about my childhood in a northern farm community etc, said good bye and as I turned to leave he said "you know what, you seen like a good guy, you can hunt here". Both situations turned into long term relationships because I was interested, respectful and appreciative. I drop in a couple of times a year, between hunting seasons, to visit and have a beer or coffee .... no agenda other than friendship.

[MikePal]

Don't forget to ask if they have given other hunter permission if they haven't mentioned it; ...there are more than few old ladies here that tell every guy who knocks they can hunt there.

On opening morning there's no room left to park the truck, let alone sit without have someone if your field of view... 6-12 guys all told they could hunt there. ..LOL...

[greatwhite]

I just go shake them down tell em I'm a Huntin there, usually while I make my collection rounds kinda like the Mafia.

No but really as everyone says be polite, bring your kid if you have one (Looks Good)Chores are usually done between 9 and 2.

[Frank16]

Asking for permission is quite frustrating. I had a very unproductive day yesterday. All my permissions are secure, but get getting new permission is a task! Many a people said no!!!!! I also noticed a lot more no trespassing signs in spots that were never posted before. Will be back at it again in the next few days. Good luck to you!

[GrouseWhisperer]

Asking for permission is quite frustrating. I had a very unproductive day yesterday. All my permissions are secure, but get getting new permission is a task! Many a people said no!!!!! I also noticed a lot more no trespassing signs in spots that were never posted before. Will be back at it again in the next few days. Good luck to you!

Sorry to hear that. I can't remember the last "no" to be honest. I don't want to assume that it's because of HOW you're asking, but perhaps it's a function of WHERE you're asking...? In my humble opinion, you really have to get WELL out of easy striking range of the Toronto area. Minimum 2 hours before you start reaching farms/farmers with better, more open attitudes towards guns/hunting. Sad, but true. The added bonus being that they also tend to be bigger, nicer, less-pressured spots.

[GrouseWhisperer]

Don't forget to ask if they have given other hunter permission if they haven't mentioned it; ...there are more than few old ladies here that tell every guy who knocks they can hunt there.

On opening morning there's no room left to park the truck, let alone sit without have someone if your field of view... 6-12 guys all told they could hunt there. ..LOL...

^This is great advice. GREAT advice. I never think to ask this question, but have been caught in the same spot. The farmer told me "just watch out for the other guys". lol I should have asked that question WELL in advance. I politely said I didn't want to put myself at risk OR ruin their hunt.

[FISH-ON]

Hopefully you're a member of the OFAH. Remember to use the landowner's form from their website: http://www.ofah.org/wp-content/uploa...wnersForm1.pdf and explain that you're covered for $5,000,000 liability coverage as a member. Leave the camo clothing at home & see if they will allow small game as a door opener if they're a bit apprehensive, since most guys are trying to lock up turkey & deer right off the bat. I had luck offering to help mend fences or split firewood as a token of good will. Sometimes offering to share the harvest (cleaned and ready to cook) can help too. Good luck, the hardest part is summoning the courage to walk up the laneway and ask.....

Only big problem I've found is....anyone that may entertain the idea of allowing you to hunt on there property is once you show them this permission form to sign they become very apprehensive and stand offish to the point they change there minds...had this happen twice
I can only assume there mentality changes with whose held liable in case accidents etc...guess its not worth the risk/headache

[NorthernGrouse]

Only big problem I've found is....anyone that may entertain the idea of allowing you to hunt on there property is once you show them this permission form to sign they become very apprehensive and stand offish to the point they change there minds...had this happen twice
I can only assume there mentality changes with whose held liable in case accidents etc...guess its not worth the risk/headache

I agree. Pulling out the permission form changes the whole discussion .... it is no longer a friendly, handshake deal but rather a bit of a legal, documented arrangement. Once verbal permission has been granted, I offer them a piece of paper with my name and phone number and mention that there is an official "form" if they want it .... only once has the form been taken. A handshake works for me, followed up with a couple of drop-in visits in the off season to do nothing but chat. I have spent many enjoyable afternoons sharing a beer or coffee and learning about their life and sharing a bit about mine.

[trimmer21]

Only big problem I've found is....anyone that may entertain the idea of allowing you to hunt on there property is once you show them this permission form to sign they become very apprehensive and stand offish to the point they change there minds...had this happen twice
I can only assume there mentality changes with whose held liable in case accidents etc...guess its not worth the risk/headache

I,too,have had that happen and I was caught completely off guard. I quickly reverted back to the friendly conversation and OFAH business card with my name,address and telephone approach,being sure to point out the insurance coverage that comes with membership. Keeping things friendly and informal always seems to work better than bombarding someone with a bunch of legalese. It really puts people off quickly.

[jaycee]

Sorry to hear that. I can't remember the last "no" to be honest. I don't want to assume that it's because of HOW you're asking, but perhaps it's a function of WHERE you're asking...? In my humble opinion, you really have to get WELL out of easy striking range of the Toronto area. Minimum 2 hours before you start reaching farms/farmers with better, more open attitudes towards guns/hunting. Sad, but true. The added bonus being that they also tend to be bigger, nicer, less-pressured spots.

Along these lines, a few years ago , my friend and I were following ducks out of Luther Marsh , when we found where they were dropping into, we found the landowner and asked for permission to hunt that particular field.
His first question was , "where are you from ? next what nationality are you ? and then what do you do for a living ? "
He said that he had problems with people from Toronto and a particular nationality, which he did not want on his land.
We answered his questions, and no we are definitely not from Toronto and about our nationality background, he was well satisfied , gave us permission and told us how to access that field and where to hide our vehicle.
For this we drove to the nearest Beer Store after our hunt, and bought him his favourite libation , and have been back there a couple of times since.