Sometimes you just have to ask.
01-16-2003, 10:51 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Shenendoah IA USA
Posts: 161
Sometimes you just have to ask.
I had new tires put on my truck last night and as I was waiting to pick it up I struck a conversation with a guy in the waiting area. The conversation drifted onto hunting (somehow my conversations always do) and I asked him if he had land. He said he had about 200 acres with 100 acres of it timber. I asked if he ever saw deer or turkeys on it and he went on quite awhile about the big deer he had seen this year and how the turkey population had just exploded the last three years. I mentioned I had a 10 year old and that he and my wife were going to start hunting this spring for turkeys and then asked if he ever let people hunt. He not only said yes but put the stipulation on it that he didn't want drives done. Well I have been looking for a place where I could hunt the late season with the deer more or less unmolested. He said i could take anyone in there that was 16 or younger (and my wife she is older than that[
I told him I was getting orders to leave for awhile but that my wife and son might want to hunt deer there next fall so they are hooked up. This place looks great, I've seen several large bucks there on my way to work in the mornings. Sometimes all you have to do is ask.
THWACK!
I told him I was getting orders to leave for awhile but that my wife and son might want to hunt deer there next fall so they are hooked up. This place looks great, I've seen several large bucks there on my way to work in the mornings. Sometimes all you have to do is ask.THWACK!
01-16-2003, 12:04 PM
#3
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Fort Wayne Indiana USA
Posts: 574
RE: Sometimes you just have to ask.
Cool deal!!!
I have learned that most farmers or landowners are willing to give hunting permisson when treated with respect. My grandfathers were both farmers and on more than one occasion told me a few "golden" rules an just how to approach them.
For those who haven't asked to hunt on private property I'll share:
1. Never attempt on a Sunday. That day for many is the only day they aren't in the field, instead using that day to spend wiht family.
2. Don't show up in full hunting attire.
3. Ask in the early spring or early summer. Not 2 days before or during season. Plus you get the time to scout the area.
4. If you get permisson; leave their land the way you found it. That one act will get you access year after year.
I've only had one farmer deny me hunting access. His wife doesn't approve and that's o.k.
Shoot often - Hunt always
I have learned that most farmers or landowners are willing to give hunting permisson when treated with respect. My grandfathers were both farmers and on more than one occasion told me a few "golden" rules an just how to approach them.
For those who haven't asked to hunt on private property I'll share:
1. Never attempt on a Sunday. That day for many is the only day they aren't in the field, instead using that day to spend wiht family.
2. Don't show up in full hunting attire.
3. Ask in the early spring or early summer. Not 2 days before or during season. Plus you get the time to scout the area.
4. If you get permisson; leave their land the way you found it. That one act will get you access year after year.
I've only had one farmer deny me hunting access. His wife doesn't approve and that's o.k.
Shoot often - Hunt always
01-17-2003, 02:20 AM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: St.Clair Shores Michigan USA
Posts: 34
RE: Sometimes you just have to ask.
Don't bug'em when they're wrenching on implements or equipment, unless you're willing to bust a few knuckles and lend a hand.
Get some business cards printed up with your name, address, phone #, license plate number. Be sure to include any organizations you belong to, i.e. NRA, D.U., RMEF. P.F.
Don't ask for permission for your friends, associates, ex-wives, girlfriends to hunt with you.
Let him get to know and trust you first.
Ask him if there are any areas you should avoid, or where he'd prefer you'd hunt.
Ask him about surrounding property and it's owners. Be sure to let him know you have NO intention of entering their property, just that if a deer you shot ventured on their property, who do you go to, to get permission to recover the deer.
Offer up some sweat equity. Ask him if there are some fences he'd like repaired on the property, or if there is <u>anything</u> you could do to help him out (especially during harvest).
Be sure to offer to share your kill. Farmers love venison too!
Respect his crops!!!!! Don't go sashsaying through or across the field for a shortcut to your stand.
After you get permission, just don't vanish and re-appear every hunting season. Stop by, when you can. Bring along a token of your appreciation, i.e. some summer sausage, jerky, etc. If you fish, you're in like flint! A couple pounds of fillets are greatly appreciated on the farm.
Ask him if there are any areas where he's suffering from crop damage.
And if he offers up some deer ranging info, take it to heart. The man
knows his land, every bit as good as the critters who call it home.
Remember him and the Famiily during Holidays, Birhtdays etc. A card goes a long way with SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed).
Get some business cards printed up with your name, address, phone #, license plate number. Be sure to include any organizations you belong to, i.e. NRA, D.U., RMEF. P.F.
Don't ask for permission for your friends, associates, ex-wives, girlfriends to hunt with you.
Let him get to know and trust you first.
Ask him if there are any areas you should avoid, or where he'd prefer you'd hunt.
Ask him about surrounding property and it's owners. Be sure to let him know you have NO intention of entering their property, just that if a deer you shot ventured on their property, who do you go to, to get permission to recover the deer.
Offer up some sweat equity. Ask him if there are some fences he'd like repaired on the property, or if there is <u>anything</u> you could do to help him out (especially during harvest).
Be sure to offer to share your kill. Farmers love venison too!
Respect his crops!!!!! Don't go sashsaying through or across the field for a shortcut to your stand.
After you get permission, just don't vanish and re-appear every hunting season. Stop by, when you can. Bring along a token of your appreciation, i.e. some summer sausage, jerky, etc. If you fish, you're in like flint! A couple pounds of fillets are greatly appreciated on the farm.
Ask him if there are any areas where he's suffering from crop damage.
And if he offers up some deer ranging info, take it to heart. The man
knows his land, every bit as good as the critters who call it home.
Remember him and the Famiily during Holidays, Birhtdays etc. A card goes a long way with SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed).
01-17-2003, 07:12 AM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Bradley IL. USA
Posts: 39
RE: Sometimes you just have to ask.
Last year I got my landowner a oak wall clock with his farm drawn on the face of it. He shows it to everyone that comes to his house. I have had that land for six years and at least 10 people ask him to hunt it every year and some had even tried to lease it.
