Proper Etiquette on Approaching Private Land Owners
- Thread starter torontorifle
- Start date
Cameron SS
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ground Zero
And have you seen much evidence of LE fishing expeditions trying to ensnare hunters or landowners who have the audacity offer a neighborly exchange of kindness?
I am certain that publicly soliciting cash for access will be frowned upon. Buying a coffee or Telling the landowner that you will mend any fences while scouting the property, maintain signage, and report any odd occurrences while on the property is hardly going to draw the ire local law enforcement.
So first, expect to get a lot of NOs, and don't let that discourage you. Most people aren't interested, but you can be certain that there is a yes out there, and it can be yours. Like actual hunting, getting land permission requires strategy, and knowing your quarry.
The trick is to get that first yes. I find it tends to snow ball from there. When you know the name of the neighboring landowner, have his permission to hunt, and he will provide a reference, getting the next yes is much easier.
The first time I got a cold call yes from a farmer, me and partner were out scouting. Camo shirts, clean jeans, otherwise well presented. Binos in hand, no firearms. By chance, we caught the landowner close to his driveway, taking a break. We had committed to not intruding on anyone, but when we caught him eyeballing us just standing there as we were slowly driving by, we figured it would have been more suspicious to just keep driving. So we pulled over, walked to the gate, and didn't come onto the property until he waved us over.
After introductions, we explained that we were scouting the area, and asked him for what we knew would likely be freely given. Has he seen any animals in the area. We started broad, and worked our way in. When/where do you tend to see turkeys. Wheres a good spot to hunt around here. Is there any around who doesn't like hunters. (this is a good way to ask the farmer how he feels without making it personal or confrontational, he can tell you how HE feels while blaming it on someone else if he doesn't want to be rude). IF this goes well, you can start to be more specific, how do YOU feel about hunting. Do you have any concerns with hunters near your farm? On your Farm? Have you ever let ANYONE hunt on your land.
By being kind, patient, and just as interested in his farm as we were in the animals around, after 15 minutes we walked out of there with permission to shoot as many turkeys and Coyotes in the spring time as we could carry. Fall hunting is off limits because he lets his cows graze all over the whole property. We have some of his neighbors that we are trying to work on, but are just waiting for a good chance contact with them, rather than pushing for an interaction that might seem forced.
Personally I am not a big fan of spamming mail boxes. I am far more concerned about finding some anti hunter who wants to make trouble and I don't love spreading my contact info far and wide. But after hunting the area for a few years now, we have expanded our access to several adjacent properties and it goes from there.
The first one is the hardest. Just be kind and patient.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
Good advice Cameron SS
I generally hunt on land in my area, so permission is easy for me. I continue to ask every year anyway, even if I'm told that I don't have to ask.
I can think of 2 examples of when I was away from home:
1. I go camping/gopher shooting each spring away from home. Permission to shoot gophers is granted 99% of the time. 1% of the time, livestock is on the land but we are directed to places we can shoot. Come fall and big game season, permission is granted because of the trust gained by the landowner. Remember, the trust is broken immediately if you break the rules or are in any way disrespectful.
2. I made a trip to the U.S. with the kids to shoot prairie dogs. Had never been to the area. Bought a "plat book" from the county and spoke to every local I saw, including the Sherriff. We handed out business cards with name, number, vehicle description and plate number. Got permission every time I asked. Was even called by a rancher to come meet him. We must have made a good impression because we were even offered a spot to camp on his land and invited back. His only caveat was that we were to leave coyotes and badgers alone.
I can think of 2 examples of when I was away from home:
1. I go camping/gopher shooting each spring away from home. Permission to shoot gophers is granted 99% of the time. 1% of the time, livestock is on the land but we are directed to places we can shoot. Come fall and big game season, permission is granted because of the trust gained by the landowner. Remember, the trust is broken immediately if you break the rules or are in any way disrespectful.
2. I made a trip to the U.S. with the kids to shoot prairie dogs. Had never been to the area. Bought a "plat book" from the county and spoke to every local I saw, including the Sherriff. We handed out business cards with name, number, vehicle description and plate number. Got permission every time I asked. Was even called by a rancher to come meet him. We must have made a good impression because we were even offered a spot to camp on his land and invited back. His only caveat was that we were to leave coyotes and badgers alone.
Cold calling for hunting permission is tough. And unsuccessful in my personal experience. I've lucked out once when a friend's brother offered me access but then sold the property after I'd dropped a 12 point buck on my third time out in the first year. Luckily the new owner after meeting, checking me out and gifts of fish and game allowed access. And even though I been skunked there since, my fault once, I keep in contact and give a annual gift, just not game meat. My advice unless you get real lucky like I did once you have to work it as a long developing sale -work friends, business contacts anyone with connection to property you want to hunt. I live in a semi-rural community and can see a turkey within 5 minute drive however the lifetime locals generally stick together and hunt together and the transplanted city people generally are anti-hunting and definitely not on their property.
Is that you yomomma ?
That's really the great info and wonderful efforts, whoever made this video /
Lately, I've been giving access to those who ask (and offer to help), way outside the hunting season. IMO now is not the time to knock on doors for a turkey spot. I think you'd have a better chance offering a farmer now to haul haylage in June for access to fall hunting.
Personally, I'm not willing to give permission when someone asks in November, once I've already spent considerable time cutting lanes, cutting wood, baiting, building blinds, etc.
I once secured a place to hunt geese, turkey, and deer by first offering to hunt raccoons.
Good Luck,
GJG
Personally, I'm not willing to give permission when someone asks in November, once I've already spent considerable time cutting lanes, cutting wood, baiting, building blinds, etc.
I once secured a place to hunt geese, turkey, and deer by first offering to hunt raccoons.
Good Luck,
GJG
With the current panic going on, over Covid19, knocking on doors or offers to work will likely not be well received.
In more normal times, I just walked up to the door and asked. Be polite, be courteous, be graceful and polite when turned down.
Don't expect offers of work to be particularly well received either. Unless you are becoming friends and have some skills or talents that the guy needs to trade for.
I have seldom been turned down, as often as not been fed a cup of coffee, at the least, and some of the doors I knocked at were owned by folks I became pretty good friends with. A good line worth following, is if turned down, ask if they know anyone that may be having crop damage issues, and be willing to have a hunter on the property. A referral is a very good thing!
Once you do have a fella that lets you in, it can often enough be the link that is required to convince other neighbors in that area. friends of friends of friends was pretty much how I got access to a lot of my hunting areas when I was in South Sask., and area with very little crown land.
Make your contacts well in advance, be well dressed and well spoken, don't show up in full camo or acting and talking like a scammer or crack dreamer.
Probably not a bad idea to have a business type card or two to be able to hand out.
Folks this is incredible information. Special thanks to Longwalker, Yomamma (your friend in the video) and Cameron SS. I've put together a list of do's and don'ts and will most likely start by offering help for the coming few months. My girlfriend loves working outdoors so the lucky farmer will get two for the price of one haha : )
We are incredibly lucky to have public lands and forests where one can go and hunt for free.
We are incredibly lucky to have public lands and forests where one can go and hunt for free.
I forgot to mention earlier.......many farmers in my area apply for land owners licenses.
So this may get you a No reply. But some guys will grant hunting permission once their tag is filled.
Won’t know til you ask !!!!
So this may get you a No reply. But some guys will grant hunting permission once their tag is filled.
Won’t know til you ask !!!!
Thank you for the updated information Royzo. When you say Landowners licenses may I know how it affects the permissions? If I understand correctly do they need to wait for licenses to be issued before agreeing to give permission?
In relatable news, I saw turkey in the parks down by Lake Ontario about an hours away from the city. Hopefully the population is strong
In relatable news, I saw turkey in the parks down by Lake Ontario about an hours away from the city. Hopefully the population is strong
Jack Robinson
CGN Regular
- Location
- Alberta / Mazatlan
I've got a little advantage, I used to own my own farm and still use my old pickup with the farm name on it for hunting. It's a great conversation starter.
