Edict when asking permission to hunt.

[Jester052]

I was just curious if anybody had some tips on asking permission to hunt. I've read some stuff online about it and what I've found just doesn't sound plausible to my situation. Some of what I found said to try and show up to secure access preferably a couple months ahead of time, and don't just show up in camo ready to hunt, show up in street clothes, gift or no gift what to little or to much. I live in Seattle and I've only hunted out in the NE corner so it's tough to make that drive a few times a year to keep up good relations. I can understand not showing up in camo but when I'm put there I don't have a lot of time I am there ready to hunt so that's rough also. Id love to hear from land owners also, what do you expect or how have people came to you. Any advice would be great! Thanks

[SemperFidelis97]

Unfortunately there is no one size fits all method for gaining permission.  If you are looking in a agricultural area I would find out when these guys are actively harvesting, and try to time a visit to the area before, or after they are finished.  I would dress how a normal guy dresses, speak plainly, and if they say no be polite, and move on.  I know you feel like you have no time to run over a few times a year to build a relationship with guys in these communities, but it is usually what it takes for a sustained opportunity .  These guys are approached by countless hunters each season that want exactly what you do.  It may require a couple weekends of your time to help out around the farm, or the like, but the time spent is well worth it, and you may find you make some quality friends in the process.  Another option may be joining a hunting club that has land that you can access by paying your yearly fees, or seeking out a hunting lease.

[runamuk]

I may get tarred and feathered but, calling the local wildlife biologist can be a shortcut to find the people who hate turkeys and wish them all a trip to the dinner table.  You can get online and look up your areas bio at the wdfw site and then make a few phone calls.

I know that is how we got permission for my son, and the landowner said kill them all  my son said um only 2 tags but thank you.  Some people who own land apparently hate turkeys more than they hate hunters.

[Jingles]

First thing is be neat,   in both dress and personal appearance which includes having had a bath/ shower within the past 48 hours at the most, and DON't be working on a BUZZ......

[SemperFidelis97]

I may get tarred and feathered but, calling the local wildlife biologist can be a shortcut to find the people who hate turkeys and wish them all a trip to the dinner table.  You can get online and look up your areas bio at the wdfw site and then make a few phone calls.

I know that is how we got permission for my son, and the landowner said kill them all  my son said um only 2 tags but thank you.  Some people who own land apparently hate turkeys more than they hate hunters.

Or that  I had a friend last year who was in the NE corner hunting some public land adjacent to a large section of private land.  He was curious about finding out who owned it so he drove around until he located the nearest house.  He seen a guy out in the yard so he approached him, and the first thing the guy said was I suppose you are here to ask permission to go hunting, my friend said yes.  The guy said he had turned in several poachers that year already, and my friend was the first guy to actually ask for permission that year.  He was given permission by the landowner on the spot.  It is that easy sometimes, but I wouldn't count on it doing some legwork ahead of season would always be what I recommended of anyone who was seeking out private land access.

[nwwanderer]

One size does not fit all.  Realize that land owners have been burgled, trashed, sued, taxed, confiscated, regulated, mortgaged, and after that a non local family member after inheritance sold ground out from under them.  It is complicated.  Be straight, make the contacts and listening to stories may be time consuming.  Patience is a virtue.  It might be easier than you think.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Never say your from Seattle  Just saying ! The term Seattle hunters comes up a lot on the Eastside !

[kodiak 907]

  just show up in your UW shirt and ask.

[M_ray]

Never say your from Seattle  Just saying ! The term Seattle hunters comes up a lot on the Eastside !

Yep cause everyone from Seattle is bad! 

[Bean Counter]

Knocking on the door with a gift in hand seems tacky to me. My main rules of thumb are to drive very slowly when approaching their house so not as to kick up dust, and to bring a cute little kid if possible. 

[kodiak 907]

Knocking on the door with a gift in hand seems tacky to me. My main rules of thumb are to drive very slowly when approaching their house so not as to kick up dust, and to bring a cute little kid if possible. 

Well played. I will be trying this tactic.

[MADMAX]

we went into the legion in Chewelah and brought in a cooler of oysters
worked like a charm

[jasnt]

we went into the legion in Chewelah and brought in a cooler of oysters
worked like a charm

that will deffenetlly up your chances on this side of the state

[whichwaydidhegogeorge]

    Don't waste your time knock'n and talk'n in the NE.  If you're short on time and bagging a bird is your only objective, stay away. I worked nearly 2 1/2 months to get my birds there last year.  I made several trips back and forth from West side to East side. Don't get me wrong, I loved every minute of it.  The people were great.  The land was perfect.  However, Two birds @ 2 1/2 months + $xxxx.xx = OUT-OF-MY-FREAKING-MIND!!!
    Fast forward to this season.  Gave up on the two bird quota.  Spent $25 on gas, $20 on MREs, and one weekend.  Dropped into Central WA Friday afternoon.  My Wife, myself, and our dogs coordinated 17 mile power scout.  Prior to leaving I had Google mapped several draws the looked to have the right turkey "ingredients".  Yet, it was an area that only had whispers of birds.  We tolerated crap weather and exhaustion.  I worked the ridge shock calling during different phases of the day while my wife listened below for responses and set the cameras.  She observed two flock fly downs, and just missed a third.  We checked the some pics before leaving this evening.  There are at least 4 confirmed shooters, and the cameras are still in place to monitor for any changes until the opener.

    If I don't bag Turkey this year I guess I'll eat Crow .  But, I will be damned if I ever ask permission to hunt again.

[pope]

I've never done this before, but Monday I'm sending the following letter to the owner of a parcel of land (approx 80 acres) which is apparently owned by a bank. Hope I'm going about this the right way. Any feedback you guys offer is appreciated.

3/15/2015
Dear XXXXXXX Bank Trustee,
Through a property search I learned of your ownership of a 78-acre parcel located XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. The parcel number is XXXXXXX. Because of the parcel’s proximity to my home, I am requesting your permission to enjoy deer hunting privileges. Specifically I am requesting permission to walk on the property during the spring and summer months in order to learn likely locations for feeding and bedding areas, as well as permission to hunt during the autumn blacktail deer season.
Given this privilege, I promise to enter and leave the property quietly, and other than footprints, I will leave no trace of my visits. I would also comply with any special requests you may present. I would be happy to provide you an update on the condition of the property, reporting any evidence of trespassing or other illegal activity. I would gladly help remove garbage, and at your request, I would post signs to warn trespassers.
Of course, I would comply with the regulations of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. I prefer to hunt with a rifle which is legal because the parcel is outside of XXXXXX city boundary.  However, at your request, I would only use archery equipment. Also, I would sign a waiver acknowledging that I assume all risks and releasing the property owner from any liability. If you have questions and would like to contact me, please xxxxxxxxx, or you can email me: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you for considering my request,

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[iusmc2002]

"Borrowing" a kid, if you don't have one, is a good way to get people to let you hunt their property. 

Up here, the bigger landowners (60+ acres), HATE turkeys, and want as many gone as possible.  A friend and I were hunting south of Colville for a draw permit deer, and while driving around near where we were hunting, saw 4 groups of turkeys that had at least 60 turkeys in the group.  We swung into a house on the west side of the valley where a bunch of turkeys had just crossed the road in front of us, and asked the lady if we could take a turkey.  She asked how many tags we had lol  It's a little harder to get permission to hunt deer, especially in 117 and 121, but turkeys, most people just want them thinned out

Be polite, don't look like a slob and roll with the punches if someone tells you NO.

[Bean Counter]

"Borrowing" a kid, if you don't have one, is a good way to get people to let you hunt their property. 

I rent my cute kids out for these purposes. You must keep them the whole day so I get free babysitting. 

Be polite, don't look like a slob and roll with the punches if someone tells you NO.

This is also good advice. I am always expecting no and to immediately express my respect for their wishes. I've gotten lucky after a 'no' several times by finishing the conversation with "can you refer me to someone else that might be able to help me?" Been referred to ppl who said yes!

[dmv9]

tag

[Jester052]

This is really helpful. Thank you Mac B for the perspective from the Land Owner side.

[KFhunter]

hunting coyotes during calving season will get you on property that showing up during deer season will not,  kill some yotes, build some trust and probably you'll end up hunting whatever you want eventually.

keep in mind a lot of landowners (like me) have so many nieces, nephews, family friends' kids - there' s not enough deer to go around.  I don't even hunt my own property, everything I take is off colville national or state. 
I don't hunt any private ground with regularity..I know just about everyone around but even I hate to ask permission 

Kinda wish I had more deer so I could get a cooler full of oysters  ...ya - that works very well!   We had hunters on the property for years from the coast they'd bring fresh seafood and we'd set them up with a place to hunt and park an RV

[GreyIC]

I also want to thank everybody - especially the landowners - for their input here.

[wildweeds]

Be pretty interesting to see what kind of an awnser you get,I work for a global billionaire company and I know for a fact what awnser you'd get  from them with that request,they wouldn't awnser back because they are RUDE.I work for the company and I also live adjacent to 320 acres they own outside of their chainlink fence.While the acreage outside the fence isn't posted,it is patrolled and enforced.It's a NO WAY because of liability issues.I'd say the bank owned properties you will get a canned response of" Thanks for the inquiry but for liability reasons we reserve the right to decline your proposal".Last I knew and unless something has changed a waiver of liability isn't worth the paper it's written on in the state of washington.I'd say you've done a great job at presenting it and hopefully it works out in your favor,but I'll add to not hold your breath.Big buisness is cold calculating and always thinks of their best interest first,a few uh-ohs and possible lawsuits from surviving family members should a tree snap in the wind and kill  or maim is  a scenario I can think of.Good luck in your endeavor.

I've never done this before, but Monday I'm sending the following letter to the owner of a parcel of land (approx 80 acres) which is apparently owned by a bank. Hope I'm going about this the right way. Any feedback you guys offer is appreciated.

3/15/2015
Dear XXXXXXX Bank Trustee,
Through a property search I learned of your ownership of a 78-acre parcel located XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. The parcel number is XXXXXXX. Because of the parcel’s proximity to my home, I am requesting your permission to enjoy deer hunting privileges. Specifically I am requesting permission to walk on the property during the spring and summer months in order to learn likely locations for feeding and bedding areas, as well as permission to hunt during the autumn blacktail deer season.
Given this privilege, I promise to enter and leave the property quietly, and other than footprints, I will leave no trace of my visits. I would also comply with any special requests you may present. I would be happy to provide you an update on the condition of the property, reporting any evidence of trespassing or other illegal activity. I would gladly help remove garbage, and at your request, I would post signs to warn trespassers.
Of course, I would comply with the regulations of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. I prefer to hunt with a rifle which is legal because the parcel is outside of XXXXXX city boundary.  However, at your request, I would only use archery equipment. Also, I would sign a waiver acknowledging that I assume all risks and releasing the property owner from any liability. If you have questions and would like to contact me, please xxxxxxxxx, or you can email me: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you for considering my request,

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Fishnfowler]

I always start with an apology for bothering them.  I also mention that I was planning on hunting the area and wanted to be sure of where the property lines were.  I bring my kids with me and introduce them.  Then after the boundaries are cleared up, I ask if they ever let anybody hunt their land.  If it is yes, we get down to brass tacks.  After the hunt, I show up with a token of my appreciation and let them know how the hunt went.  Generally I thank them effusively and hand them a quart of honey or a pound of home-cured bacon.  I have more land to hunt than I have time for.  People actually look me up and ask why I haven't knocked on their door.  Some time spent asking how many bales/acre they got this year or how the wheat prices are goes a long way. 

I grew up in SE Idaho and was able to drive at the tender age of 14.  A couple of us kids would knock on the door and sheepishly ask if we could hunt their land.  The only times I was ever told no, was with an apology to me and an explanation that a cousin was coming over or some such thing.  Generally they would tell me to come back in a week and have at it.  Sincerity, honesty, a good handshake, and looking someone in the eye goes a long ways.