Advice on Gaining Access

[jollinscared]

Currently, I only have permission to hunt on 1 tract of private land. I'm the only hunter and there are deer on the property, but it's super difficult to pattern them.
I say that to get to my actual question. Are there any particular strategies that you've had success with in asking someone to hunt on their land? I'm a younger guy and I'm just not super comfortable with going up to someone and asking them for permission to hunt. I would be more than respectful of the property and whatever they decide (yes or no). I just don't know how to go about asking them. Do I drive up and knock on their door like a Jehovah Witness or what? lol

 

[Harepower]

Just locate the Owner, send a hand written letter that is short and respectful and drop off in the mailbox or use snail mail. I wouldn't give permission to Hunt to someone who is trespassing to get permission to not be trespassing.
Best of luck

 

[jd1983]

I disagree with Harepower. Letters are easy to toss in the trash and very impersonal. Not sure when going up to someone's door to ask a question became trespassing either. While I haven't had much success, I will say I've had some good conversation and met some decent people knocking on doors. I hate doing it too but you start getting used to it over time. Just be respectful and don't push if someone says no.

 

[jollinscared]

Just locate the Owner, send a hand written letter that is short and respectful and drop off in the mailbox or use snail mail. I wouldn't give permission to Hunt to someone who is trespassing to get permission to not be trespassing.
Best of luck

Have you had pretty good success with this method? I'm open to any suggestions as I have a few placed I'd like to ask, but just not sure how to go about it.

 

[jollinscared]

I disagree with Harepower. Letters are easy to toss in the trash and very impersonal. Not sure when going up to someone's door to ask a question became trespassing either. While I haven't had much success, I will say I've had some good conversation and met some decent people knocking on doors. I hate doing it too but you start getting used to it over time. Just be respectful and don't push if someone says no.

How have you typically broken the ice when knocking on the door? I'm guessing kinda like the Count does on Counting Cars?

 

[jd1983]

"Hey, I'm (insert name) and I'm looking for a place to hunt this season."

From there it usually goes into a conversation but I like to be up front about what I'm doing there.

I also have a small hunting resume, references, a liability release, and a TN permission form with me. It's something I can leave after we're done talking for them to look over and think about it.

 

[Boll Weevil]

Not sure if you're a bowhunter or not but alot of folks will grant a bowhunter access before a gunhunter due to concerns about safety. It may take a year or 2 but if you get permission with a bow, share in some of your success, and take care of their property they may eventually allow firearms. Back when I had to secure places to hunt this was my m.o. and I typically had more places to hunt than what I had time to dedicate to each one. Also, offer to exchange hunting privileges for workdays. There's always something to be done.

 

[jollinscared]

"Hey, I'm (insert name) and I'm looking for a place to hunt this season."

From there it usually goes into a conversation but I like to be up front about what I'm doing there.

I also have a small hunting resume, references, a liability release, and a TN permission form with me. It's something I can leave after we're done talking for them to look over and think about it.

What might you have in the release?

 

[jollinscared]

Not sure if you're a bowhunter or not but alot of folks will grant a bowhunter access before a gunhunter due to concerns about safety. It may take a year or 2 but if you get permission with a bow, share in some of your success, and take care of their property they may eventually allow firearms. Back when I had to secure places to hunt this was my m.o. and I typically had more places to hunt than what I had time to dedicate to each one. Also, offer to exchange hunting privileges for workdays. There's always something to be done.

I have recently just decided to only primarily bow hunt. Last year, I solely hunted with my bow, so I like that they appear to be more ready to grant those hunters permission first. I've also been told to share some of the meat with them if they enjoy venison or whatever game you are hunting.

 

[plinker22]

Having a mutual friend, a name (that you both know) to use really helps. I suggest you ask around and see if any of your friends or family (even church or gym family... even friends of your Mom or Dad) know the land owner. A few phone calls trying to find a mutual friend is well worth your time.

Being able to say, "Hello, one of our mutual friends, John Smith, said I should talk to you about the possibility of deer hunting your land." Then go from there.

As mentioned above, offering to help with a few days of work on their farm goes a long ways too.

 

[Dbllunger]

Having a mutual friend, a name (that you both know) to use really helps. I suggest you ask around and see if any of your friends or family (even church or gym family... even friends of your Mom or Dad) know the land owner. A few phone calls trying to find a mutual friend is well worth your time.

Being able to say, "Hello, one of our mutual friends, John Smith, said I should talk to you about the possibility of deer hunting your land." Then go from there.

As mentioned above, offering to help with a few days of work on their farm goes a long ways too.

I have used this method before. A common connection tends to relax people. Great advice Plink

 

[jd1983]

What might you have in the release?

http://hservices.nra.org/documents/pdf/ ... eement.pdf

 

[jollinscared]

Having a mutual friend, a name (that you both know) to use really helps. I suggest you ask around and see if any of your friends or family (even church or gym family... even friends of your Mom or Dad) know the land owner. A few phone calls trying to find a mutual friend is well worth your time.

Being able to say, "Hello, one of our mutual friends, John Smith, said I should talk to you about the possibility of deer hunting your land." Then go from there.

As mentioned above, offering to help with a few days of work on their farm goes a long ways too.

I have used this method before. A common connection tends to relax people. Great advice Plink

Thank guys! I've gotten great advice thus far. I'll try to gain some more access to hunting land by trying this.

 

[jollinscared]

What might you have in the release?

http://hservices.nra.org/documents/pdf/ ... eement.pdf

Greatly Appreciated!!

 

[Harepower]

Just locate the Owner, send a hand written letter that is short and respectful and drop off in the mailbox or use snail mail. I wouldn't give permission to Hunt to someone who is trespassing to get permission to not be trespassing.
Best of luck

Have you had pretty good success with this method? I'm open to any suggestions as I have a few placed I'd like to ask, but just not sure how to go about it.

In Montana and Idaho this worked, we'd offer to do farm hand work for the right to hunt. In TN I have not had to ask. If we own property siding each other then I feel it okay to approach someone about permission. A letter may be tossed, but I open all personal written mail and toss most preprinted stuff.

Gauge the Owner by the postings they have up. If the sign say "no Hunting" or "no trespassing" I'd likely not ask. If the sign says "no hunting w/o written permission" then I'd feel like permission may be given.

To ask for permission on my property you'd have to drive 1/2 mile through the woods you are inquiring about, pass several no trespassing signs as well as a road closed sign, So, you'd be trespassing to come knock on the door. The people that I allow to hunt my land asked by way of my neighbor @ church, and I regret saying yes. Not letting anyone on my property with a gun unless I'm with them; A bow is acceptable. I like the idea of selling that point as you ask someone.

Best of Luck

use the app OnX Hunt. it has a feature where you can look up the land owners name. There's a 6-7 day free trial, use screen shots to get your info for free and then search for the Owners, fastest way I found to figure who owns a particular parcel of land.

 

[JeepKuntry]

I've had 1 person grant me permission by letter. I usually check online for land that is owned by an individual out of state. As far as going door to door, I've been turned down every time. I thought it had to do with my being younger then. I'm 34 now and could probably still pass for 24. But in my area, I've learned you can offer your time in helping with hay or other chores, money, you name it and they don't care.

 

[Pic IN the Casa]

IMO, You gotta talk to them in person. Wear church clothes, not camo or a Megadeath shirt.
I usually break the ice by telling them I'm not selling anything. I would get a reference from your other landowner and hand it to them. Tell them you are an ethical hunter. A mutual friend is a great idea. Make some small talk to see if you have anything in common i.e, church, football, etc... All three private lands I got permission to hunt on I promised them I would pick up any trash along roads, do small jobs, etc...
I think I landed more land, current and in the past by telling them it would always be JUST ME and maybe my kids with me. I would never bring anyone else without their permission. When I have been turned down it usually was followed by "the last guy I let hunt..." (fill in the unfortunate blank).
If you score land, keep all of your promises. One old lady calls me every year to till her little garden spot and then in the fall pull tomato cages and till it all under again.

 

[lightsareout]

is a release of liability needed in TN? I know some states protect land owners without such a signed document.

 

[Realtree]

Face to face conversation and yes having some references always help. They can only say yes or no but being friendly and mature goes a long ways.