Hey guys I am a 20 year old college student and I dont have much time to drive to hunting properties hours away. Luckily my college is in a farm town and there are many farms around. I was wondering how you guys go about asking these farmers for permission to bowhunt on their properties? Things to consider: I am a small guy (5 ft 9 inches 150 LB), and on top of that i look like I'm 16 or 17 years old (may benefit me one day). I feel like a farmer will be less willing to trust me considering my age and how young I look. I am willing to offer any labor, meat, and possibly a reasonable amount of money if those are the tactics you guys use. Any honest opinions from BOD staff or any other members would be much appreciated. PS: I have been watching your show for about a month and today I have finally caught up to you guys. Best hunting show I've ever watched. Keep it up! Bowhunt or Die!!!
What's worked for me best, is to be polite and honest. Tell them about willing to work, give meat, and possibly even pay. Tell them you will obey any rules they may have and you'll treat them and their land with the upmost respect and if it were your own. Hope this helps at all. Good luck. And you might be surprised, some people are kindly willing to let people hunt.
Also If you can offer to eliminate does for some of those old timers they will love you. I am currently allowed to hunt some property with the stipulation that I kill all the does I have tags for, FIne by me! (3 down so far 2 more to go)
You might be surprised. You never know until you knock on some doors. An upfront approach, asking someone for permission could be considerred old school in todays world. Think you might be surprised at how people react. But, you'll never know until you try. If I wasn't hunting my own property myself..... I would be receptive to a young fellar with the right approach hunting on my land. I have been asked by some older guys who used to hunt my land without permission years ago. They were told no. I have a neighbor who I share a property line with. Rarely talk, maybe once a year. No beef, just most in my "subdivision" keep to themselves. Most have 20+ acres & moved to this spot to be isolated. However, I did stop him once, & asked to go on his property where it backs mine. He said no problem. Because of the layout of our land..... it's a great spot where our properties meet up but, would be impossible to hunt without access to both.
Biggest thing I have learned for asking permission (although always for goose hunting) is to make sure they know you're trying to learn as much about what they want from you as possible. A big thing too is to make sure they know you will leave their land in better shape than what you found it. I have had many farmers complain about other hunters to me as far as leaving trash, shells, etc., in their fields. If they have had back luck in the past it will definitely make it a little harder for you but all you can do is try. What state are you in?
Coffee hour at the local watering hole is a good way to meet some farmers and its just a hell of a lot of fun talking to some of the old timers whether you get permission to hunt or not.
Always ask for leads for the next piece. Friends, family or other farmers needing to manage deer. My reputation and building hunting leads has gotten me over 4 thousand acres of hunting property. Started with 40 acres...
Thats a great idea midnight I will definitely do that. Another thing I forgot to mention was "is it a bad idea to ask now, since season is in full swing, or should I wait until next spring or summer and just stick to public land for this year?"
I would personally ask for next year. But in the process, he might turn around and say "why not this year?". You just never know.
It's tough to give advice on this because every situation is different. I've done this for a few years now and never get the same reaction. From my experience a letter to them first might be the best way to go. It's non confrontational and gives them a chance to think about it. Make it sound like the deer are getting to be a nuisance in the area and Lyme disease is on the rise. That works for me. I have yet to be turned down this way. Just knocking in doors has had mixed results. One person actually said to get off their property now and heft would call the cops. Very awkward and want to avoid that from now on. Also tell them u will sign a waiver in case u fall out if a tree and offer half the meat.
As said over and over, respect goes a long way. Be as nice as you can be. And dress nice. No camo, no shirt and jeans. You also have to remember you are representing hunters as a group. People make their opinion on hunting by the few interactions they have with hunters. Make a good impression for yourself, you make a good impression for the sport. You will come across an anti hunter as well at some point if you do this much. Do everything you can to remain professional and if they try to be confrontational, just get out of the situation. Dont fight back, it will just give them more fuel. And will just get you worked up for no reason. And dont be let down by the word no. You will probably hear it way more then yes...10-1 at best in most areas I would guess. Just keep trying, you will find someone willing to let you in.
Pay a visit to the local farm center. Let them know your situation. Word could get around or they may know someone.
