Grazing lease access

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Rayleigh_Scattering

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I'm looking ahead to this fall's activities, and as well as trying to get into better hiking shape I'm trying to lay the groundwork for the territory.

I see the map of Grazing Leases online, leading in a fairly straight-forward way to contact vectors for the lease holders.

I had an email half typed up to Rancher Bob, saying what a nice guy I am and how I'd like to please stroll around the land he has leased a few times over the course of the fall with an eye to eventually coming back in the fall to hunt, but then I realized that I was doing something that I am completely unfamiliar with, in a predictable fashion.

That's often not an ideal strategy.

So before I make that contact, I'll put some questions out here so that I can be better prepared:

Other than common sense, good manners, and not interfering with Bob's livelyhood, what is he going to be looking for to distinguish me from all the other pasty white suburbanites who are asking for the same access?

What are the biggest things to steer well clear of?

For those that have done this before, is the usual response "No! Your footprints damage grass that my cows could be eating!" or "Meh. Go nuts.". I realize that this usual response will be a reflection of the experience Rancher Bob has had with the last 20 guys who asked him.

Also, when do the cows come off the range in SW Alberta? When the snow falls?
 
The cows come off the pasture when the rancher wants them off the pasture. Some guys will have them rotated from one pasture to the next by now, and others will keep them on pasture until well past Christmas. Depends on the rancher.

Some guys will be cool with you trudging around their pastures. (some might even ask you to look out for "old number 871X" because he hasn't seen her in a while)
Others will get snarky and rude. Depends on the individual.

Emails might not be the best way to get in contact with a lot of these guys. Snail mail, and landline telephone is the only way to get in touch with quite a few farmers where I grew up, so actually getting out and going for the Sunday Drive might be a good bet.

These guys live on this land you're looking to hunt, so ask questions and they might share where some good locations are.

Good luck!
 
Lionel said:
The cows come off the pasture when the rancher wants them off the pasture. Some guys will have them rotated from one pasture to the next by now, and others will keep them on pasture until well past Christmas. Depends on the rancher.

Some guys will be cool with you trudging around their pastures. (some might even ask you to look out for "old number 871X" because he hasn't seen her in a while)
Others will get snarky and rude. Depends on the individual.

Emails might not be the best way to get in contact with a lot of these guys. Snail mail, and landline telephone is the only way to get in touch with quite a few farmers where I grew up, so actually getting out and going for the Sunday Drive might be a good bet.

These guys live on this land you're looking to hunt, so ask questions and they might share where some good locations are.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

By Alberta law, the livestock have to be off the community pasture by November 1.

For the most part, it then becomes unoccupied crown land in rural areas, that do not have any shooting/hunting restrictions. (IE-populace)

Get hold of the pasture manager through the Alberta Agriculture website.
Or, there must be a name of X cattleman association on the Rural Municipality map.
 
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Community pastures in Saskatchewan are supposed to be empty by nov 1st aswell but lots aren't they just put up a no hunting sign. I think he is actually meaning lease land that is leased by individuals and they can graze year round if they want. Just go and knock on doors and ask. Dress nice and watch your language and remember please and thankyou are still magic words.
 
Private grazing leases and community pastures have differing rules that the leasee will have to follow. Some private grazing leaseholders generally have "carte-blanche" control over who accesses year round, some leases don't have that right and "Crown Land rules" access is allowed ( most of these are in more remote areas up against the eastern slopes) . However there are quite a few who do vacate the property early enough for hunters to make use of it.

If I were in the op's shoes I would go meet some land owners ( chances are if their a lease-holder they will also have title to some land, sometimes a vast area of land that can be better than a lease land hunting area) face to face...you may get told to "bugger off' in no uncertain terms or just as easily get invited in for coffee (don't refuse this offer, it might be the "litmus test" of your worthiness to gain access). If you are invited in be gracias and above all "listen" to what the rancher tells you and don't contradict him...he knows his land well, and also knows what kind of dude he want in there.

If I were you on this mission (and I have been on lots of similar hunting permission excursions) I would dress as I would for any cool day hiking situation...no shorts & flip-flops that you might wear on a city park stroll. And most certainly leave the Rambo multi pocket camo pants and vest/coat at home with the Jacked up-you need a step ladder- 4x4 mudder with the 34" and 10" wide tires with the 1000 lb front "bush" bumper with winches at both ends and 4 tire chains hanging over the tailgate...I say again, leave at home!!

The last advise I will give is that if you are a smoker...leave them in the vehicle at all times...grass gets very dry in the fall and the # one fear of every rancher is grass fires...never butt a smoke out outside or get caught out of a vehicle with a smoke in your hand, eviction will be immediate and for ever, count on it.
 
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Until you have met "Rancher Rob" put together a game plan.
There are not many ranchers that will turn down free help.
Fencing might be an opener if you discover and fix a hole in a fence.
Nothing wrong with driving a tractor.
Learn something about his operation; he may require an extra hand during branding or moving cattle to the range.
He may have a problem with coyotes or ravens during calving season.
Your initiative and imagination will be your best friends especially if you have something to offer.
 
I don't smoke, but that's an interesting angle that hadn't occurred to me.

>Jacked up-you need a step ladder- 4x4 mudder...

Makes sense. Both in terms of self-identifying some lifestyle choices, and in terms of potential damage to land.

The vehicle of choice will be a 99 diesel suburban with stock tires, a cracked windshield, and a really cool aftermarket ferric oxide conversion kit.

So for Aug/Sept/Oct there will likely still be livestock on the land. Starting around Nov (but maybe later) the pastures will start to empty as they pull them in.

Cold calls are not my strong suit, but I will forge bravely ahead.

Thank you all for the info. I am better prepared now than I was.
 
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My uncle uses ihunt app to call the farmers up to get permission well he is hunting he lives in Calgary as well .
I find a message posted at the local feed shops works grate I offer to cleen a barn or two as incentive
Once you make Friends with a farmer you wind up making Friends with the neighbors as well
 
Rayleigh_Scattering said:
I don't smoke, but that's an interesting angle that hadn't occurred to me.

>Jacked up-you need a step ladder- 4x4 mudder...

Makes sense. Both in terms of self-identifying some lifestyle choices, and in terms of potential damage to land.

The vehicle of choice will be a 99 diesel suburban with stock tires, a cracked windshield, and a really cool aftermarket ferric oxide conversion kit.

So for Aug/Sept/Oct there will likely still be livestock on the land. Starting around Nov (but maybe later) the pastures will start to empty as they pull them in.

Cold calls are not my strong suit, but I will forge bravely ahead.

Thank you all for the info. I am better prepared now than I was.
Click to expand...

Post a pic of the truck.
 
Rayleigh_Scattering said:
I'm looking ahead to this fall's activities, and as well as trying to get into better hiking shape I'm trying to lay the groundwork for the territory.

I see the map of Grazing Leases online, leading in a fairly straight-forward way to contact vectors for the lease holders.

I had an email half typed up to Rancher Bob, saying what a nice guy I am and how I'd like to please stroll around the land he has leased a few times over the course of the fall with an eye to eventually coming back in the fall to hunt, but then I realized that I was doing something that I am completely unfamiliar with, in a predictable fashion.

That's often not an ideal strategy.

So before I make that contact, I'll put some questions out here so that I can be better prepared:

Other than common sense, good manners, and not interfering with Bob's livelyhood, what is he going to be looking for to distinguish me from all the other pasty white suburbanites who are asking for the same access?

What are the biggest things to steer well clear of?

For those that have done this before, is the usual response "No! Your footprints damage grass that my cows could be eating!" or "Meh. Go nuts.". I realize that this usual response will be a reflection of the experience Rancher Bob has had with the last 20 guys who asked him.

Also, when do the cows come off the range in SW Alberta? When the snow falls?
Click to expand...

What would it take for you to open your backyard to a stranger wanting to have a bbq?
 
skhunter said:
What would it take for you to open your backyard to a stranger wanting to have a bbq?
Click to expand...

Well if his backyard was leased land that might apply.
And I grew up on a Ranch, still live in the Country too. Lots dycks on the other side of the equation too. "Nope, got to walk in and pack out"
Really? In Tide Lake, AB? Are you high?
But, for the most part, if you look casual and are polite...you'll do fine. Close gates behind you and pledge to leave it cleaner than you found it...most Ranchers are cool.
But don't get discouraged if someone is a dyck to you. Like all walks of life, they are out there. Shrug it off and perserver.
And good luck
 
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