Farmer's Land

DaveMachine

DaveMachine

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So...

I'm always hearing "farmers will let you shoot gophers on their land" but the problem is I don't know any farmers. Now, my question is, is it polite/rude to travel to a farmers home and introduce yourself and just pop the question? Is there some better way to do it? Alternatively, is there anything for gopher infested crown land (I hear you can shoot on this stuff, am I right?) that is just outside of Lethbridge?

I put thnis in rimfire because that's what I'll likely be shooting gophers with but feel free to move it to where ever seems fit.
 
I live on a farm (farm land is rented to a farmer-I'm not a farmer). It depends on how you approach the landowner/farmer. I've had some people come by and think they are a God send and that they are doing me a favor. I tell them to FOD (Take off and die). Then there are others, that say that they want to pop off a few gophers (no prarie dogs in Ontario), sure come on in.

Another way, and less personal, is putting a letter in the mail box. I've gotten one or two of these. A guy prints off a dozen or two and drives down the road, sticking them in the mail boxs. It just states the guys name and that he wishes to hunt gophers on your land. He states that he will clean up any carcasses and garbage that he will make. When you call him, he asks for a meeting at your house or location to lay down the ground rules, like times, dates, limits. He also asks how you drink your coffee. When he does arrive, he brought me a coffee and a box of doughnuts. Let me know he was there and was off hunting. When he came off the field, he offered me 20 bucks, and some of the carcass' (I declined both).

Don't act like an ass and expect to get a couple on no's
 
There are a number of community pastures around you I don't know of the gopher population though. you should be able to find it with this link http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/ it's changed since I had been there last so you'll need to do some digging.

And also get yourself a country map (the one that show ownership) find a good field (both good population and safe shooting) then the go ask the owner way more often than not you will get a yes.

And keep in mind the regular things, be polite, don't leave a mess leave gates the way you found them, you know the standard stuff. I still feel sort of funny asking a complete stranger, but you get over it eventually.

If you treat them right, they will be thinking you are doing the favor for them a real win win situation.
 
The letter approach has worked well for me in the past, even for deer and moose hunting.


But if you chose to go in and knock on the door, do not use the "im doing you a favor, and if they say no, just take it and try next year. Ive had a friend ruin a couple outings of landowner/permission missions.


Bigbore
 
I've actually had some farmers give me boxes of .22 shells to shoot on their property. That was awesome. I've started shooting them with my bow and I get a lot more yes answers then no's now. Plus the proximity of livestock and houses is not as big a concern.


SS
 
trubluscrew said:
I live on a farm (farm land is rented to a farmer-I'm not a farmer). It depends on how you approach the landowner/farmer. I've had some people come by and think they are a God send and that they are doing me a favor. I tell them to FOD (Take off and die). Then there are others, that say that they want to pop off a few gophers (no prarie dogs in Ontario), sure come on in.

Another way, and less personal, is putting a letter in the mail box. I've gotten one or two of these. A guy prints off a dozen or two and drives down the road, sticking them in the mail boxs. It just states the guys name and that he wishes to hunt gophers on your land. He states that he will clean up any carcasses and garbage that he will make. When you call him, he asks for a meeting at your house or location to lay down the ground rules, like times, dates, limits. He also asks how you drink your coffee. When he does arrive, he brought me a coffee and a box of doughnuts. Let me know he was there and was off hunting. When he came off the field, he offered me 20 bucks, and some of the carcass' (I declined both).

Don't act like an ass and expect to get a couple on no's
Click to expand...


Do you still own these farms? If your close to me, I would love the opporunity to come and be able to shot off a few rounds.

:)
 
Having relatives who own farms I would say NO.....They dont know you from a whole in the wall and to have you out and about shooting would be un nerving to them, your best bet would be to post on 'cgn' (here) and ask for buddies who live in the areas you want to shoot in and use them with there 'contacts'
 
jennis said:
Having relatives who own farms I would say NO.....They dont know you from a whole in the wall and to have you out and about shooting would be un nerving to them, your best bet would be to post on 'cgn' (here) and ask for buddies who live in the areas you want to shoot in and use them with there 'contacts'
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BS! at least in Alberta. Go knock on a few doors and be polite. Go by yourself the first time, not with a whole carload of guys with guns hangin' out the windows. You may get a few no's but I'll bet you will get more than a few yes's. After the first day, then inquire about bringing friends if that's your goal.

Don't be shy! Go ask!:)
 
Yes, definitly be humbe/ and gratefull (I re-read my post and some of the responses, I might have gave the wrong impression) the first time on a field the owner is taking a risk trusting you, treat that risk right and you will make a friend.

Though make no mistake a gopher investation is a major PIA and when they trust you they will be glad to see you. Look at it this way, as I understand it a gopher will eat about ~1 lb of grass a week duing peak activity. On our best saturday we shot anywhere between 1500-2000 between 4 of us off of 5 quarters. That's no small benifit to the farmer.

I have gotten 3 coyote spots and 1 deer from going gopher shooting it's the best "in" other than a buddy.
 
Yeah 3 of them (my cousins) own farms around Wainwright (Alberta).......So I guess you would know there response better than I would
 
Maybe your cousins are like you and think they speak for all of Alberta.


There, is that the response you wanted?:p
 
Yep I guess so..........I guess being in the forgotten wastelands of the north gives you insight into the 'mores and norms' of the southerners eh plato ????
 
jennis said:
Having relatives who own farms I would say NO.....They dont know you from a whole in the wall and to have you out and about shooting would be un nerving to them, your best bet would be to post on 'cgn' (here) and ask for buddies who live in the areas you want to shoot in and use them with there 'contacts'
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trust is something you build up over time true you dont trust every stranger that comes knocking on your door you trust the guys youve known for years but at one point in your life they were complete strangers how did you come to trust them ? was it by saying no or was it by taking a chance on them ?
i have vbuilt many long standing relationships with guys simply because i gave them a chance with one thing or another and i have been given that same chance many times over and never proven anyone wrong in doing it
 
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jennis said:
Yep I guess so..........I guess being in the forgotten wastelands of the north gives you insight into the 'mores and norms' of the southerners eh plato ????
Click to expand...


Well let me explain what is normal for me as far as Alberta and gophers go.

Every year in the late spring, I pack up a bunch of guns and head down to Alberta, hook up with some friends and go gopher hunting. Some places we go to are the same as the previous years, some are new every year. How do we get permission? We drive around a bit until we see a promising gopher patch and we knock on doors until we find the owner. But sometimes, while we are asking, the people tell us about the "oh so much better patch" over at their neighbors. And off we go.

But thanks for the heads up about those stuck up people in Wainwright, we won't bother wasting our time there.:cool:
 
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