Permission to hunt private property

[tyrant27]

Hey fellas,

I have been doing some looking around for potential duck hunting spots and find a lot of it is on private land. Most of the time the land is so huge I have no idea who owns it. How do you all track down the land owner to ask permission to hunt? Also, when you do find the person, what kind of tactics do you use to ask, ie... do you knock on the door and talk to them in person or do you call them?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Bean Counter]

1. Show them Some respect by making a separate trip other than the day you want to hunt.
2. Don't knock on their door dressed in camo
3. Exploit children. Take your little boy or girl and bribe a smile out of them with a milkshake right before you get there. Who can say no to a smiling child?
4. Be fairly fairly direct about what you want. "Hi... Blah blah quick plesantry... I respectfully request permission to hunt your property."
5. Drive slow on their gravel/dirt road especially on your first visit.

[Bean Counter]

Oh yeah
6. Look up their name on the county assessor website before you. As a part of your introduction tell them how you learned of their name.
7. Be ready and expecting them to say no. Its just low class to knock on someones door and ask for free access and have a pissed off look on ones face when told "no."

In some areas I had more people say "yes" than "no" when asking permission using these tips. In other communities, most will say no. I think its region specific honestly.

[MacAttack]

When they say no, be respectful and thank them for their time. They might just change their mind.

[tyrant27]

Awesome, thanks for the tips guys.

[Bill W]

When they say no, be respectful and thank them for their time. They might just change their mind.

This is a good tip.  I was asking for permission one time and got told no.  I was polite and then the guy said "go down the road and talk to my brother".  I hunted his place for 4 days for a fifth of black velvet.

[irishevox]

Great tips would recommend to start asking now for like deer season

[BiggLuke]

Food works well also... if the Guy actually says yes, after all the pleasantry, be prepared to say something like, "Thank you so very much for the oportunity. Hey, I've got some fresh jerky (or whatever you brought as briding medicine) with me... Would you like some?"

We found that a tray of costco muffins or some good 'ole smoked salmon helps alot in getting us a return visit.
Also, as a polite way to say thank you again, show up after the hunt at some point and show him how much fun you had. Some guys love to see the birds or whatever, you bagged.
Showing, or even giving them pictures of your hunt goes along way to showing what a nice fellow you are.   

We have sent a group photo to the guy who owns the land where we hunt mulies, with a shot of all of us at camp with our deer. Never thought much of it, but the next time we saw him he said something like, "My wife and I loved that photo of you boys you sent us last year. We put it up next to the others. Glad you had such a good time."

I know that when coyote hunting, the land owners get really excited about seeing the varmint you shot on there place.

[BiggLuke]

oh yeah.....

Also....

FIRM HANDSHAKES

[irishevox]

Sounds like a plan... i will have to do this... but i just wish people were more nice about it... i asked a guy while hunting once he said no but he was really nice about it.

[MADMAX]

When we were getting ready for some turkey hunting around Chewelah we went to the legion and asked if anyone liked oysters, got some folks talking and passed out some oysters we had brought over in a huge white cooler.
The drinks flowed and conversation turned to what we were doing in their neck of the woods, they invited us over to hunt their property.
Treat people decently and its surprising what can happen.

[Cougar125]

Something else with land access...

My younger brother is a trapper.  While he sells most of his furs to the buyers, he always gets a good one tanned for each land owner that gave him access that season.  He has always been asked back.  Not so sure how well it'd work with ducks, but hey...you asked for ideas?

[furbearer365]

I have knocked on tons of door and have not yet been turned down.  This may sound a little ridiculous or cliché but honestly the best thing you can do is show that you are a good person and keep it simple.  Try not to make it a business transaction or too stiff of a conversation.  Remember, if these people have tons of land they are probable some sort of rancher or farmer.  Most of these people are very simple minded and are very down to earth.  They will let people hunt if they feel at piece with who you are.  Always get on their level and talk to them about what they know.  Ask question about cattle if they have some, tell them a story about how a family member has cattle and how you have helped them.  Something to put you on their level, because at the end of the day, they would rather have a good feeling about you than a full belly of muffins  

[irishevox]

yeah, i know this started on waterfowl page... i am really looking for a deer area... but all these tips can really work for whatever kind of game.

[hdshot]

It has been years for me since I knocked on doors but just kept it brief and just ask.  I got tiered of doing the spotting for their friends and family because the land owner would tell me they would ask their person first and if they don't hunt then I can.  Seemed to always get the other guy excited to hunt it. 

For the landowners that allow hunting to anyone get out there on a Thursday because some will lock it down just for you!  Also try to hunt weekdays when their friends and family are working or at school. 

I have family members that have deer and turkey causing them to get asked all the time.  They have seen all the tactics and the ones that come close to hunting that I hear about are the one that are just straight up without the guilt trip story.  Lucky for me they have a grandson that loves to hunt.

Some landowners start up a conversation and just listen then join.  Sometimes they end it with a go hunt!  You will find out this is the best tactic because people just don't listen and people like to be heard.