Two weeks ago I asked for permission to hunt groundhogs on a dairy farm just down the road from my place and was given the go ahead. 600 acres of hay and alfalfa. Last Sunday I went out for the first time there and started to check out where the burrows were, found a few and missed one at about 300 yards.....considering winds of about 70kms\hour I wasn't too put off.
Well tonight I went back and as I was driving up to the farm I saw they were about to go work in the fields. I asked if my timeing was bad and the farmers son directed me to more land that they owned About half an hour into the hunt I hear what sounds like a scooter, I look around and here comes the farmers son on a minicross. He asked if I saw any hogs and since the burrows I saw were looking somewhat abandoned he offered to give me the grand tour. Told me to hop on to the back of the bike and he would bring me back to my car.......I'm 6'4'' and weigh 275!! well it seems the minicross was sturdier then I thought but it must have looked like a circus bear on a tricycle! He brought me to my car we went back to the farm and took his pickup through the fields looking for burrows, driving like a bat out of hell through the fields. Spotted many holes that look promising. He brought me back and I thanked him for his time.....I had just met this guy and he took a good hour of his time to help me out. We often discuss the negative encounters we have with others but sometimes we fall apon some great folks. He even offered to ask another farmer if I can access some ajacent land and will let me know as soon as he sees him...
Any others out there with some friendly farmers in their entourage?
Well tonight I went back and as I was driving up to the farm I saw they were about to go work in the fields. I asked if my timeing was bad and the farmers son directed me to more land that they owned About half an hour into the hunt I hear what sounds like a scooter, I look around and here comes the farmers son on a minicross. He asked if I saw any hogs and since the burrows I saw were looking somewhat abandoned he offered to give me the grand tour. Told me to hop on to the back of the bike and he would bring me back to my car.......I'm 6'4'' and weigh 275!! well it seems the minicross was sturdier then I thought but it must have looked like a circus bear on a tricycle! He brought me to my car we went back to the farm and took his pickup through the fields looking for burrows, driving like a bat out of hell through the fields. Spotted many holes that look promising. He brought me back and I thanked him for his time.....I had just met this guy and he took a good hour of his time to help me out. We often discuss the negative encounters we have with others but sometimes we fall apon some great folks. He even offered to ask another farmer if I can access some ajacent land and will let me know as soon as he sees him...
Any others out there with some friendly farmers in their entourage?
A lot of people are just afraid to ask nowadays. The worst they can do is say no. Just thank them for their time and move along (and it's generally bad form to walk up to their door with your rifle in hand!).
