I've been hunting my main piece of land for about 10 years now. We have it pretty good over there. Pretty much just us on and around our land. Little tid bit of an issue at times from a group that used to "hunt" it (long different story). Anyway... the guy and his wife (older couple) gave us permission years ago. I've helped out whenever humanly possible. Clean up after big storms, trash on roadside, post it, etc... but it's just not that often. Not that I wouldn't because I'd do something for him everyday if he wanted me to. We've been kind of out of sight out of mind. Hardly ever even talk to him. I see him and wave to him once in awhile. Sometimes stop and talk. Nice enough guy (kind of private which is why I don't push it). I feel like I should do something more. Not sure to just offer him money? He doesn't want venison. No idea what he likes for gift certificate or something like that. Any suggestions?
We are in basically the same boat. He won't take anything so we bought and put up a nice gate this year. Just realized I did not help you at all...sorry about that.
When is the last time you told him how much you appreciate the use of his land? The enjoyment you are getting from it etc. Maybe that is enough at this point.
Funny you bring this up...I am actually getting ready to leave for three days of hunting on my place in Southern IA. I have a neighbor that is nice enough to let me cross his property to get to one of my stands when the wind is out of the East. I am taking his family a Holiday basket with some cheese, crackers, and a nice ham tonight. I plan on doing this every year just to show them that I appreciate them being good neighbors.
We used to have a situation on our family land years ago. A good relative always seemed to show interest right at hunting season. Never before or after. Just a suggestion for everyone hunting or crossing other people's land. So them your thinking about them at other times of the year. A Christmas Card, a phone call after winter to see how everyone is doing. If he's a farmer, early spring when crops need planted. You decide, be creative, just keep in touch thru out the year. Let them know your thinking about them at sometime other than hunting season.
One of the properties that I hunt is an elderly couple that don't get out much. I generally try to stop a few times through the year and just chat, then before the holidays I take them a ham or a turkey for their family dinner. I picked up a ham last night to drop off this weekend.
I tell the landowner that whenever he needs help with anything to give me a call. I stopped by the other day and talked tractors with him, and offered to help him cut wood for this winter.
He's not a farmer. Older couple that just keep to themselves. Never really get out too much. I like the basket idea with a nice ham and some other stuff. Keep em coming. thanks
the ham is a nice, I'm have a couple kids that hunt on my bottom land, (central Iowa.) thay come up and stop in with beer, bring there wives and steaks, just anytime and when ever. they are great to have around help me clean trails, put in food plots, set stands, cut wood. they are like family. they pick up items needed for the butcher shop, or to hang deer with. i just met the kids 5 years ago they live close within 40 miles. sue and i will stop in at their place when we're in the area. they have taken the step just a little further then most. ya i have some great land to hunt on. but their beyond that. i do things for these kids likewise, took one on an elk hunt this year. plan on paying the way for 3 next year. its just really cool how they stepped in just to hunt. nn
Same here, just a very nice family who farms and likes to here that we are enjoying their property, have always asked to give a helping hand and they never have anything for me to do. I keep in touch with them year round...
Stuff from dad's garden always goes over good in the summer like watermelons or tomatoes or whatever is on. I have gave fresh fish in the summer too in the past....if I find any. haha. Late this summer I took blackberry jam that my wife made to different landowners that let me shed hunt last spring....good time to ask for bow permission. I think the carhartt idea mentioned is a good one too or maybe even just some good leather work gloves....you know how those are you can never have too many.
Also I've thrown on some extra deer steaks while grilling and taken a warm plate of steaks and potatoes over to some older folks right before supper time. So they didn't have to even cook. Man they loved that and they even insisted I take home some homemade fudge!
One of the farms I hunt, we pay his taxes every year. Its not a ton of $, but it helps them out. Might be an option for you to offer, since they don't have farm work for you to pitch in on.
Heck.. I'm looking for some private land that I can pay the land owners taxes, help the out etc. I need to look harder. Stuck hunting public land for the last 20 years. Small home made gifts are a great idea. Some baked goods perhaps? If they like to keep to themselves, anything that is not intrusive and likely does not cost a lot to provide. Shoveling snow in the winter before they can get out and do it...multiple storms... Did the gentlemen have a hobby when he was younger? That could clue you into something.
I'm confused. Leases start at about $7.50 an acre here in Texas. is it the case that some folks get access to good hunting land somewhere for free?
I always give my main landowner a butchered deer including sausage, slim jims........his four daughters go absolutely crazy over the sausage. I also spend a few times a year just stopping and chatting. Its hard to get away as he loves to talk......lol. Just in case and for the first time in my life, before this season I told him if he ever decides to lease any of his land, to give me first shot. His reply was, " I am not gonna charge you to hunt bro". I guess it helps that he and I are the same age.
Good hunting land can still be had for free but its getting very tough in my area. Leasing mostly by non-residents is increasing.
