Atchman2
Well-Known Member
Over the years I've both good and bad experiences getting permission to hunt. In fact one guy threatened to shoot me! Thank goodness he didn't. 
Here are just a couple of things that might help you. I mostly coyote hunt and that is usually much easier to get permission to hunt.
1) It is easier to get permission for stuff that isn't deer, turkeys, or bears. Sometime you just want to get on the property anyway you can. Coyote hunting is an excellent way to start as is squirrel hunting. Most of the time when I squirrel hunt I use my air rifles. It is even EASIER with air rifles to get permission to hunt.
2) Once the landowner sees you around and trusts you, they may give you permission to hunt other stuff.
3) I help a farmer with hogs. However, he kicks me out during deer season. That is fine with me though.
4) Always come in civilian clothes! If it is possible don't ask for permission when you are wearing your hunting clothes. Sunday afternoons are a good time to ask. This is especially true if you are still wearing your church clothes.
5) Have a way to identify yourself. I have cards made up stating that I'm a coyote hunter. Sometimes the property owner will call you if they see or hear a coyote. That is bonus.
6) My friend Jake always shows up with a google earth photo of their property. He also has a permission slip in a notebook that he keeps with all his hunting locations. Jake gives them a copy of the picture clearly marked with their property lines. He almost always gets permission when he shows up with his notebook. The landowners can see that he does things the right way, otherwise he wouldn't have permission on so many places.
7) I always try and alert a landowner when I'm coming there to hunt. That is mostly so I don't get shot! . If I see them I also "check out" to tell them I'm done hunting for the day.
8) One of the ways I keep my places is to carry a trash bag in my backpack. I pick up stuff along the path such as old bottles, papers and such. Try and leave the place better than you when you got there.
9) NAME DROP! If you know someone who knows them, then you have instant credibility. They may still say no, but after they check up on you you may get permission later.
10) As soon as you get that place, you need to ask about the neighbors. Sometimes neighbors don't care, but sometimes they do. You need to know that when tracking wounded game.
11) Ask them about gut piles if you are hunting large game. I've seen some that make me carry it off. I've had others that let me hang the game in their barn and help me!
12) If I get a coyote, hog, or even a batch of squirrels, I try and show the landowner and again thank them for letting me hunt. Any place I have permission to hunt I try and bring them something back if I can do it. The place I hog hunt, I make them either sausage or deer jerky. I'm always welcome there.
If you don't get permission, just thank them nicely and leave your card. You never know, especially with predator hunting, when they will get skittish about coyotes or bobcats. I've sat and chatted for half an hour with folks that didn't give me permission to hunt. Sometimes it is just nice to meet people.
Here are just a couple of things that might help you. I mostly coyote hunt and that is usually much easier to get permission to hunt. 1) It is easier to get permission for stuff that isn't deer, turkeys, or bears. Sometime you just want to get on the property anyway you can. Coyote hunting is an excellent way to start as is squirrel hunting. Most of the time when I squirrel hunt I use my air rifles. It is even EASIER with air rifles to get permission to hunt.
2) Once the landowner sees you around and trusts you, they may give you permission to hunt other stuff.
3) I help a farmer with hogs. However, he kicks me out during deer season. That is fine with me though.
4) Always come in civilian clothes! If it is possible don't ask for permission when you are wearing your hunting clothes. Sunday afternoons are a good time to ask. This is especially true if you are still wearing your church clothes.
5) Have a way to identify yourself. I have cards made up stating that I'm a coyote hunter. Sometimes the property owner will call you if they see or hear a coyote. That is bonus.
6) My friend Jake always shows up with a google earth photo of their property. He also has a permission slip in a notebook that he keeps with all his hunting locations. Jake gives them a copy of the picture clearly marked with their property lines. He almost always gets permission when he shows up with his notebook. The landowners can see that he does things the right way, otherwise he wouldn't have permission on so many places.
7) I always try and alert a landowner when I'm coming there to hunt. That is mostly so I don't get shot! . If I see them I also "check out" to tell them I'm done hunting for the day.
8) One of the ways I keep my places is to carry a trash bag in my backpack. I pick up stuff along the path such as old bottles, papers and such. Try and leave the place better than you when you got there.
9) NAME DROP! If you know someone who knows them, then you have instant credibility. They may still say no, but after they check up on you you may get permission later.
10) As soon as you get that place, you need to ask about the neighbors. Sometimes neighbors don't care, but sometimes they do. You need to know that when tracking wounded game.
11) Ask them about gut piles if you are hunting large game. I've seen some that make me carry it off. I've had others that let me hang the game in their barn and help me!
12) If I get a coyote, hog, or even a batch of squirrels, I try and show the landowner and again thank them for letting me hunt. Any place I have permission to hunt I try and bring them something back if I can do it. The place I hog hunt, I make them either sausage or deer jerky. I'm always welcome there.
If you don't get permission, just thank them nicely and leave your card. You never know, especially with predator hunting, when they will get skittish about coyotes or bobcats. I've sat and chatted for half an hour with folks that didn't give me permission to hunt. Sometimes it is just nice to meet people.
