Free: Contests & Raffles.
I think many seem to think, that that it should be as simple as pick up the phone, get permission, and go hunt. There are a number of factors that go into gaining permission to hunt.The ones that do the research in advance, figure out who to meet, go in person, etc. are the ones granted permission to hunt. I started June 24th this year. I was finally able to get permission to hunt in mid August. Lots of phone calls, internet research, road trips, court house visits, working with the land access managers, working with DNR manager, and door knocking. It is somewhat of a puzzle to try and figure out "who to talk to". I like it, because I am willing to do what it takes to gain permission to hunt. Most, just want to show up the day before the season and EXPECT to be given permission to hunt. It's about effort!
Quote from: GameHunter1959 on September 30, 2014, 12:10:01 PMI think many seem to think, that that it should be as simple as pick up the phone, get permission, and go hunt. There are a number of factors that go into gaining permission to hunt.The ones that do the research in advance, figure out who to meet, go in person, etc. are the ones granted permission to hunt. I started June 24th this year. I was finally able to get permission to hunt in mid August. Lots of phone calls, internet research, road trips, court house visits, working with the land access managers, working with DNR manager, and door knocking. It is somewhat of a puzzle to try and figure out "who to talk to". I like it, because I am willing to do what it takes to gain permission to hunt. Most, just want to show up the day before the season and EXPECT to be given permission to hunt. It's about effort!When you are standing at their house in person and have them tell you that they only let Friends and Family hunt the lands you will understand. We have plenty of time and years invested in the area we hunt, and usually pull bucks every year. So we are not crying over no access, it is the unfair way the land is locked up and held only for the F & F every year. I get more pleasure now from taking nice bucks from the state lands that boarder these places. They push them to the state land and we take it from there.
Quote from: Fish4Fun on September 30, 2014, 12:59:21 PMQuote from: GameHunter1959 on September 30, 2014, 12:10:01 PMI think many seem to think, that that it should be as simple as pick up the phone, get permission, and go hunt. There are a number of factors that go into gaining permission to hunt.The ones that do the research in advance, figure out who to meet, go in person, etc. are the ones granted permission to hunt. I started June 24th this year. I was finally able to get permission to hunt in mid August. Lots of phone calls, internet research, road trips, court house visits, working with the land access managers, working with DNR manager, and door knocking. It is somewhat of a puzzle to try and figure out "who to talk to". I like it, because I am willing to do what it takes to gain permission to hunt. Most, just want to show up the day before the season and EXPECT to be given permission to hunt. It's about effort!When you are standing at their house in person and have them tell you that they only let Friends and Family hunt the lands you will understand. We have plenty of time and years invested in the area we hunt, and usually pull bucks every year. So we are not crying over no access, it is the unfair way the land is locked up and held only for the F & F every year. I get more pleasure now from taking nice bucks from the state lands that boarder these places. They push them to the state land and we take it from there. I do understand and agree with you. Most those signs are a joke. I am making your point for you, by explaining that it is a "puzzle" to try and figure out "who to talk to", as those signs are generally misleading. I'm just pointing out, that "it can be done" and "how I went about doing it". I would guess I called and knocked on 20-25 different land owners doors. I was given permission by 2 of them. One I can hunt whenever I want. The other; only my youth can hunt the property after the land owners friends and family have tagged out. The point being...Yes those signs are generally a joke, but it can be done. And it can only be done, if the hunter does a tremendous amount of research and effort, long in advance of the season.
Be aware that just because the sign says Hunting by Written Permission doesn't mean they have to let everyone who inquires hunt. I hunt properties in the program and the landowners still restrict the number of permission slips they hand out. I usually get it taken care of in January or February, not during the season or immediately before. Have some respect for the landowner.
Quote from: GameHunter1959 on September 30, 2014, 01:08:00 PMQuote from: Fish4Fun on September 30, 2014, 12:59:21 PMQuote from: GameHunter1959 on September 30, 2014, 12:10:01 PMI think many seem to think, that that it should be as simple as pick up the phone, get permission, and go hunt. There are a number of factors that go into gaining permission to hunt.The ones that do the research in advance, figure out who to meet, go in person, etc. are the ones granted permission to hunt. I started June 24th this year. I was finally able to get permission to hunt in mid August. Lots of phone calls, internet research, road trips, court house visits, working with the land access managers, working with DNR manager, and door knocking. It is somewhat of a puzzle to try and figure out "who to talk to". I like it, because I am willing to do what it takes to gain permission to hunt. Most, just want to show up the day before the season and EXPECT to be given permission to hunt. It's about effort!When you are standing at their house in person and have them tell you that they only let Friends and Family hunt the lands you will understand. We have plenty of time and years invested in the area we hunt, and usually pull bucks every year. So we are not crying over no access, it is the unfair way the land is locked up and held only for the F & F every year. I get more pleasure now from taking nice bucks from the state lands that boarder these places. They push them to the state land and we take it from there. I do understand and agree with you. Most those signs are a joke. I am making your point for you, by explaining that it is a "puzzle" to try and figure out "who to talk to", as those signs are generally misleading. I'm just pointing out, that "it can be done" and "how I went about doing it". I would guess I called and knocked on 20-25 different land owners doors. I was given permission by 2 of them. One I can hunt whenever I want. The other; only my youth can hunt the property after the land owners friends and family have tagged out. The point being...Yes those signs are generally a joke, but it can be done. And it can only be done, if the hunter does a tremendous amount of research and effort, long in advance of the season.You talked to 20-25 landowners and only got permission to one property. That doesn't sound like the time or effort was worth it.Wasn't our fee increases from special permits and licenses suppose to go to securing more access on private lands?