My cousins allow some people on their property (QC). Ask what crops they are doing, when it is OK to access property, more importantly when do they NOT want you around. Exactly how they want the gates left, where should you park your vehicle. Payment/barter may not be legal but you would be foolish not to offer up something in return for your hunting privileges. It may require some subtlety but would be a wise move on your part. Maps of the area are a major bonus and show you are planning ahead and want behave in a way so as not to disrupt their operation. This is key, make sure you make it clear that you are aware they have an ongoing operation and you will accommodate whatever their next move may be. Good luck.
Any advice for getting permission from land owners? UPDATED
- Thread starter mark222
- Start date
I've had permission granted after being declined initially simply by staying around and continuing to talk to the owner about farming , weather, local gossip etc. rather than just getting back in the vehicle and driving away. A lot of owners will warm up to you if can demonstrate you are a well adjusted, considerate person. Above all else, be polite and always thank the owner for the time spent talking to you regardless of the outcome..
Smile on your face, polite, don't dress like some criminal/biker/thug slob, be appreciative even if they say no, let them know before hand you know not to drive over gates or leave them open, won't litter, etc. Wearing some kind of a 'farm' cap doesn't hurt. And if you do have a good outing, a bottle of wine or liquor goes a long way.
As a landowner and former avid hunter I must admit that my view of land "ownership" is different than most peoples concept of land ownership. So taking advice from me might be a bit of a gamble.
I consider myself (and by extension my family) as more custodians of the land than "owners" of the land. I subscribe fully to that old saying "Two men arguing over who owns the land is like two fleas arguing over who owns the dog!"
I believe that ALL land should be used in a RESPONSIBLE manner and that hunting IS a responsible use of the land. Therefore I have no problem giving permission to people that wish to hunt on our land. I don't need to like how you appear, or talk or what you drive. I don't require a "gift" or free labour or any other form of compensation.
I DO require that you sign some forms for legal purposes and for identification. I also require RESPECT, for the land number one, and for our efforts to manage the land in a responsible manner. That means when I ask you to text me before you show up to hunt it is because if you don't, the potential is there for someone else to be hunting that part of the land. That ruins the hunt for you and them when you show up un-announced and is disrespectful imho.
If you are successful and would like to have vehicle access it is simple to text or phone and ask permission. More times than not, myself or a family member will even drive a tractor over and lift/load your animal. Gates are not rocket science. Leave them as you found them unless there is an obvious problem and just send a text so we can check them ourselves. If you wish to set up and leave a blind or ladder etc. let us know and leave some identification on it. That way if we see someone else dragging your goose blinds off our field we can spank them accordingly.
It is my opinion that having hunters with permission on the land is the number one best way to stop poachers and illegal access. They are there at first light, last light and sometimes overnight. They have a vested interest in protecting "our" land. We have met some very nice people, some people that have become friends over the years, and some people who only ever hunted our land once.
Over the last few years the volume of hunters has risen and management has become more difficult. Last year the decision was made to only allow junior hunters with adult supervision. The reasoning for this was multi-fold. Number one, we are easy access so a parent/guardian can take their junior hunter for an after school evening hunt or a morning hunt before an afternoon hockey game etc. We have some quality animals on our property so junior hunters have a real opportunity for getting a great animal. Our land is situated so getting lost is virtually impossible so parent/guardians can concentrate on safety and hunting, and teach orienteering another time and place if they choose.
So yeah...drive in the yard carefully, either stay in your vehicle or talk nicely to my dog. She is doing the job she is "paid" to do when she greets you. Be polite, be up front, and ask permission to hunt the land. Don't offer me anything but a friendly smile and a firm handshake. If I agree, and ask you to sign our permission form, and you make a face, or hem and haw about signing the form then we are done talking. Have a nice day!
Dave
I consider myself (and by extension my family) as more custodians of the land than "owners" of the land. I subscribe fully to that old saying "Two men arguing over who owns the land is like two fleas arguing over who owns the dog!"
I believe that ALL land should be used in a RESPONSIBLE manner and that hunting IS a responsible use of the land. Therefore I have no problem giving permission to people that wish to hunt on our land. I don't need to like how you appear, or talk or what you drive. I don't require a "gift" or free labour or any other form of compensation.
I DO require that you sign some forms for legal purposes and for identification. I also require RESPECT, for the land number one, and for our efforts to manage the land in a responsible manner. That means when I ask you to text me before you show up to hunt it is because if you don't, the potential is there for someone else to be hunting that part of the land. That ruins the hunt for you and them when you show up un-announced and is disrespectful imho.
If you are successful and would like to have vehicle access it is simple to text or phone and ask permission. More times than not, myself or a family member will even drive a tractor over and lift/load your animal. Gates are not rocket science. Leave them as you found them unless there is an obvious problem and just send a text so we can check them ourselves. If you wish to set up and leave a blind or ladder etc. let us know and leave some identification on it. That way if we see someone else dragging your goose blinds off our field we can spank them accordingly.
It is my opinion that having hunters with permission on the land is the number one best way to stop poachers and illegal access. They are there at first light, last light and sometimes overnight. They have a vested interest in protecting "our" land. We have met some very nice people, some people that have become friends over the years, and some people who only ever hunted our land once.
Over the last few years the volume of hunters has risen and management has become more difficult. Last year the decision was made to only allow junior hunters with adult supervision. The reasoning for this was multi-fold. Number one, we are easy access so a parent/guardian can take their junior hunter for an after school evening hunt or a morning hunt before an afternoon hockey game etc. We have some quality animals on our property so junior hunters have a real opportunity for getting a great animal. Our land is situated so getting lost is virtually impossible so parent/guardians can concentrate on safety and hunting, and teach orienteering another time and place if they choose.
So yeah...drive in the yard carefully, either stay in your vehicle or talk nicely to my dog. She is doing the job she is "paid" to do when she greets you. Be polite, be up front, and ask permission to hunt the land. Don't offer me anything but a friendly smile and a firm handshake. If I agree, and ask you to sign our permission form, and you make a face, or hem and haw about signing the form then we are done talking. Have a nice day!
Dave
Anything you can do to establish a form of connection can help. If you aren't from the area, don't know anyone, nobody knows you its easy to say no. Chances are good that he wanted to say no in the first place. If you get him talking, the chances that you used to work with his brother-in-law, or went to school with his sister or knew his dad increase. Saying where you're from quickly leads to where you work, and work is an easy conversation. It also hints to stability. Accepting "no" cheerfully, because " you understand he likely has good reasons", or "no, you don't owe me an explanation, its your place" or maybe " I have to turn people down sometimes myself on my place down the road south of .........................whats that? as a matter of fact I do know Joe whats his name from south of wherever. Your brother-n-law 'eh?
Damn you. I just spit coffee all over my desk.
I tried to hold it in, but that sorta just led to a high pressure misting spray effect. Damn it. It's everywhere.
Be polite, ask anywhere that looks probable, deal with a "No" with grace.
I am friend now going on 25 years now, with a fella outside Moose Jaw that I met this way, asking for permission.
It is well worth asking if they know anyone that might have a problem critter or critters that need to be dealt with, too. Follow up on the leads, write down names and numbers. Dropping the first guys name has often got me past the initial impulse to just say no outright.
Dealing with a gopher problem for some horse folks (yeah, miserable work, right?) got me access to 3/4 section of great deer hunting land SW of Moose Jaw. These things tend to blend together, eh.
Cheers
Trev
I am friend now going on 25 years now, with a fella outside Moose Jaw that I met this way, asking for permission.
It is well worth asking if they know anyone that might have a problem critter or critters that need to be dealt with, too. Follow up on the leads, write down names and numbers. Dropping the first guys name has often got me past the initial impulse to just say no outright.
Dealing with a gopher problem for some horse folks (yeah, miserable work, right?) got me access to 3/4 section of great deer hunting land SW of Moose Jaw. These things tend to blend together, eh.
Cheers
Trev
I have used Kijiji in the past left a add asking for who was willing to let me hunt on there property I put the add in the equipment sections
And I had to sighn a letter saying he was not liable and I was responsible for any damages it went good made a new friend out of it
And I had to sighn a letter saying he was not liable and I was responsible for any damages it went good made a new friend out of it
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- Location
- AB foothills
Great response Dave! That is pretty much how it is done around here for the most part.
A very simple concept really, but every year there are more that prove they will just never get it and get turned away.
Looks like anyone named Dave has great advice.
Be polite and honest.
I've still got a lot of dirt in my blood, and have a rural connection through family work and my friends. I live in town now and have come to understand the difficulties with hunting and shooting when you don't have your own piece of land to take care of.
If you don't know what to say, say the truth.
"Hi, I'm Joe. I'm not sure who I should be taking to, I'm looking for a few places to hunt coyotes this winter."
You've introduced yourself politely and stated your business. If nobody's home, leave a note that you'll call again. Your tracks will be noticed.
If you get permission, make sure you let them know when you're there and when you're gone. Don't bring a friend unless you've asked.
Be polite and honest.
I've still got a lot of dirt in my blood, and have a rural connection through family work and my friends. I live in town now and have come to understand the difficulties with hunting and shooting when you don't have your own piece of land to take care of.
If you don't know what to say, say the truth.
"Hi, I'm Joe. I'm not sure who I should be taking to, I'm looking for a few places to hunt coyotes this winter."
You've introduced yourself politely and stated your business. If nobody's home, leave a note that you'll call again. Your tracks will be noticed.
If you get permission, make sure you let them know when you're there and when you're gone. Don't bring a friend unless you've asked.
That's a pretty good way to introduce yourself, simple and to the point.
One thing that might also help, get some business cards made up, so you can give them one with your name and contact info. Cards are cheap enough, or you can print your own.
Cheers
Trev
When my buddy invited me into his sacred goose/duck land last year, we drove to the owners houses so he could introduce me.
On accident we got permission to hunt an adjacent field. We had followed the fence line (following the owners directions) however we missed one of the turns it makes and ended up about 50' on his neighbors field. Kind of hard to explan and i dont want to attempt to draw it out; im sure most people have seen how old farm fencing isnt exactly a grid. We were packing up to leave after only getting one goose. A tractor had started moving brush a few hundred meters 90 deg from us. It wasnt the guy we had originally talked to. So we left the guns where they were and walked over. Introduced ourselves and when we found out we were on the wrong spot we appoligized. The guy was awesome. Told us that "if farmer A" was good with us then he was as well. Only condition, there is one week we cant hunt there because some family members show up to hunt. As luck would have it.. his access road is much nicer then the other farmers..
- Location
- AB foothills
One more piece of advice if you are granted permission to hunt on someone's property. Firearms safety, the landowner is probably watching and listening...
I work for my neighbor and friend that owns a fairly big ranch that gets about 2-300 calls per season asking permission to hunt. A small portion of those are actually allowed due to the high numbers. Over the past two hunting seasons, two hunters have had accidental discharges from hunting rifles in the farm yard, about twenty steps from the owners front door. Both were due to very careless actions while loading or unloading before or after the hunt. Very luckily no one or no animals were harmed. Needless to say those two hunters will never be allowed back, ever.
Also always be aware of where people are working, houses, out buildings are and where livestock is at all times. Get very familiar with the layout of the land you are hunting on and surrounding properties as best you can before pulling the trigger.
I work for my neighbor and friend that owns a fairly big ranch that gets about 2-300 calls per season asking permission to hunt. A small portion of those are actually allowed due to the high numbers. Over the past two hunting seasons, two hunters have had accidental discharges from hunting rifles in the farm yard, about twenty steps from the owners front door. Both were due to very careless actions while loading or unloading before or after the hunt. Very luckily no one or no animals were harmed. Needless to say those two hunters will never be allowed back, ever.
Also always be aware of where people are working, houses, out buildings are and where livestock is at all times. Get very familiar with the layout of the land you are hunting on and surrounding properties as best you can before pulling the trigger.
I think this is the best advise
you take on a lot of responsibility wen hunting on privet land
Advice! Don't open the gate or bother asking. Some people who came out here thought that asking once was life time permission. Some thought permission for them was also for their buddy a week later. Gates left open. Fences cut. Told to not hunt where cattle are. YOU may be the best people on the face of the earth, but ass clowns screwed it for everyone. Crown land 20 minutes down the highway, have fun, good luck.
Call
CGN frequent flyer
Even if someone says "no", ask if they know anyone in the area who might be amenable to hunting. People in rural areas tend to know one another pretty well.
Ask for a trial period, or suggest limiting the hunt to certain week/month/time of day if they are hesitant.
Ask for a trial period, or suggest limiting the hunt to certain week/month/time of day if they are hesitant.
Be polite, say thanks even - especially - if they turn you down. Basic grooming. (Think how you feel when somebody shows up unannounced at your front door.) Be prepared to spend a few minutes just chatting - weather, crops, etc; build up a bit of a bond.
Leave the rifle in the car; if they want to see it, they'll ask.
If you are after game and get some, drop by later with a couple of cleaned and plucked pheasants or a venison roast. They'll remember you for next year.
If they do say no, don't argue, but ask them if anybody else around might be open.
Leave the rifle in the car; if they want to see it, they'll ask.
If you are after game and get some, drop by later with a couple of cleaned and plucked pheasants or a venison roast. They'll remember you for next year.
If they do say no, don't argue, but ask them if anybody else around might be open.
Back in 2006, I went down to SW Sask. to shoot gophers. I phoned the lady who owned the hotel as my first contact. I heard her being interviewed on the radio. When I got to her hotel, she bought me lunch and directed me to her brother's farm. I spent time talking to him. He was desperate to have people shoot gophers. He made it clear he didn't want any fires started, as it was terribly dry. I also made it clear to him that there would be no drinking and no garbage left. I picked up empty ammo boxes and drink containers from others who had been shooting in the area. That fellow still comes and talks to me at gun shows.
Good manners and patience goes a long ways. Flashing booze around is not necessarily the way to everybody's heart. I went gopher shooting with a fellow who started drinking in the afternoon. That was the last time we shot together.
Good manners and patience goes a long ways. Flashing booze around is not necessarily the way to everybody's heart. I went gopher shooting with a fellow who started drinking in the afternoon. That was the last time we shot together.
