best way to ask for land access ????

[blacktailcrzy]

i live over here on the wet side and the other morning i saw a masher of a black tail in this old mans field. he used to have horses but not for a few years now. i asked my father who he was and sens my dad has bin around awhile he told me that i used to bail hay for the guy when i was a kid but the guy would have to be close to 80 now. so my plan was i was going to knock on his door with some fresh lingcod and ask to hunt his forty or so acres but he has a gate at the top of his drive way with a no tespassing sign  and i have no clue witch of the four mail boxes is his and my question is what would you do.

[carpsniperg2]

It never hurts to ask. Best thing to do is ask early and not right before the season. Also it always helps to see if he might have anything he needs done, that you could help him with. Take it from a landowner, that always helps. Someone showing up on your door step and says can I hunt your place doesn't work 99% of the time. + when its hunting season or close to it, it makes it worse.

[saylean]

Be polite. Be professional. Ask before hunting season like carp suggested, ask to help around the farm, etc....

I've always said, "the worst they can say is no, it never hurts to ask".  Good luck with the masher!

[fair-chase]

Should be fairly easy to figure out which mailbox is his by using the county assessors website to locate the property. That should give you the name and mailing address. Then a simple, thoughtfull, hand written letter to the man. Keep it fairly simple but make clear who you are, what your intentions are, and what you plan on offering in return for the privilege of hunting his property.

Due to the way the property is gated it would be nearly impossible to have a face to face initial meet without crossing into the creepy or pushy category. Obviously waiting by the gate until he comes out would be creepy, and jumping the fence to get to the door would be tresspassing and pushy. You don't want to come across as either. If you worked for him before when you were younger then that is a great icebreaker. Be sure to include it in your letter. If he's in his 80's then more than likely he would be interested if for no other reason than to have someone sit around and reminisce about the days in when you worked for him. Also like Carp said, being willing to put in a little sweat equity goes a long ways in making land owners happy.

[WAcoyotehunter]

Talk horses and farming if you're able.  If not just be polite and see if it would be alright if you took a look around come hunting season.  Also- don't speed down the driveway or show up wearing all camo...those are no-no's.

[h20hunter]

I agree with a written letter. Drop it in the box with your number. Be upfront about what you will be doing and make sure you mention if you plan on hunting with somebody or solo. IF you get permisission it may turn sour if he looks out the window and sees you tromping along with a buddy that he didn't expect. Good luck and happy hunting.

[CAMPMEAT]

If see somebody outside , pull up and ask who owns that land. That's what I do. Then tell them that you used to work for so and so and want to talk to him.

[pianoman9701]

Try leaving a note on his gate with your contact info.

[Hank]

I like to tell the land owner that I always carry extra trash bags with me and I will pick up any garbage I find. You might also offer to walk the guys fence line for him and tell him that you will report any trespassers you find.

[wapiti hunter2]

Remind him of who you are and who your dad is.  You are wanting to get reacquainted with him, not some complete stranger.  The lingcod is a good idea for the first face to face. 

[rotty33]

Asking early is definitely key, but then you need to keep in touch. I don't know how many times I have recieved permission only for the landowner to subtly back out when the season comes around. Try and have specific dates in mind and tell the landowner you will be taking vacation from work or something. This can make him feel more committed to letting you hunt. I've been pretty frustrated lately with flaky landowners. Another option is to help him out with chores after you recieved permission, whatever makes that person feel committed to holding up their end of the deal!

[zackmioli]

my hunting group has hunted the same property for 25 years or so and each year we make sure to help the landowner out with computer issues. she has something new each year for us to teach her, or fix for her and we get it done. we also stop in and chat for a few minutes here and there when we see them at the house or at the barn.

being personable and working toward getting more on the friend level rather than just some person that is hunting their land is very important. 

[JimmyHoffa]

Maybe take a small kid with you, or a wife, or a friendly family dog.  But probably not show up with a few dudes that look like they just got out of prison or the meth lab.
The only other thing I can think of would be if you're law enforcement, show up in uniform.  The guys I knew that usually got access to good spots were deputies and troopers.

[PlateauNDN]

Asking early is definitely key, but then you need to keep in touch. I don't know how many times I have recieved permission only for the landowner to subtly back out when the season comes around. Try and have specific dates in mind and tell the landowner you will be taking vacation from work or something. This can make him feel more committed to letting you hunt. I've been pretty frustrated lately with flaky landowners. Another option is to help him out with chores after you recieved permission, whatever makes that person feel committed to holding up their end of the deal!

my hunting group has hunted the same property for 25 years or so and each year we make sure to help the landowner out with computer issues. she has something new each year for us to teach her, or fix for her and we get it done. we also stop in and chat for a few minutes here and there when we see them at the house or at the barn.

being personable and working toward getting more on the friend level rather than just some person that is hunting their land is very important. 

   All of the above.  My motto for meeting somebody the first time is "Kill them with kindness."  Good luck!

[pianoman9701]

You could always wrap a note around an arrow shaft and shoot it at his house from the gate! 

[Button Nubbs]

make sure you light the arrow on fire tho so he notices it.

[h20hunter]

Better than that just hop the fence and do a little shed hunting. When asked just tell him you don't need permission to hunt sheds but you would like permission to hunt dee/elk/turkey/bear/grouse/granddaughters on his property.

[jackmaster]

i the old timers i know really want someone just to b.s with, alot of times they will come off as a little gruff but its just a smoke screan, offer to work cook him some ling, mend some fences, talk about huntn and most likely he will bring up the huntn part, its fun to sit and b.s about the ole days and he probably has some cool old guns and stuff, just be observant hopefully he will remember that you bucked hay for him when you were a youngan, be repectful obviously and use "YES, SIR" alot, you dont hear that alot anymore, good sir

[huntnnw]

I have never offered meat or work around a landowners place..I simply go up to places I want to hunt in the summer or spring and ask...I get probably a 80%-90% yes ratio..it helps also to ask the right palces..such as a new home on a piece of prop..probably a no..I see a farm house and barns I ask.

[highside74]

I like to wear a hat to the door and remove it as I introduce myself and shake his or her hand. Any man or woman will take that as a sign of respect and in a subtle way it say's alot about you. My friend's are alway's amazed at the yes's I get.

It never hurt's to keep your eye's open for common ground. You wouldn't believe the no's you can turn to yes's as soon as you have something in common.

As far as no tresspassing sign. For most that generally mean's my property is not your playground stay off but if you are coming to my home to speak with me and you are not selling something be polite and knock. Apologize for showing up unannounced. (after you remove your hat)

[demontang]

When I see a piece of land like that Ill look at to see what they use it for. Farm land Ill strike up a conversation if I see squirles or someing that hurts the owners work on the land and start there just helping get rid of pest animals and build a friendship and trust. If its cattle land same thing I offer to hunt predators and hole digging pest. It come down to just shooting starlings and other pest birds too that eat feed. I really ask around the people I know to see if someone knows the land owner too cause thats a good way. In this case I would want and try to catch the owner outside one day as you drove by and strik up a conversation. The biggest thing I have learned is be polite, offer to help, offer some of the game you take, ask what they want you to do if you take an animal, and if your unsure about something ask the land owner before you do what your unsure of

[huntnnw]

comes down to how bad do u want to hunt the spot.. u become a sales person and your selling yourself

[blacktailcrzy]

ya thanks for all the info guys i want to open his gate and go down his driveway and ask but it still seems like its kinda crossing the line

[huntnnw]

if its close and your by all the time..just keep an eye open for the landowners outside etc

[carpsniperg2]

if its close and your by all the time..just keep an eye open for the landowners outside etc

You don't want to case the place Most times around here we start shooting after the 2nd drive by

[PolarBear]

Many years ago I gained access through some private land to get to a somewhat isolated chunk of Natl. Forrest land by knocking on the door of an old couple's farm wearing a tool belt with a hammer, fencing pliers and bags full of nails and fencing staples.  I spent 4 days fixing 200 acres of fencing and was given the golden treatment every time I showed up to hunt.  They were so cool that they would let me park my rig at their back fenceline then drive me around to the top of the hill and drop me off to hunt my way back down.  It was still a 6 mile hike but at least it was almost all down hill back to my rig.  It made for a much better drag with a dead buck.  Unfortunately both of them passed away and their kids sold the place to some anti hunters from out of state.

[Kowsrule30]

Many years ago I gained access through some private land to get to a somewhat isolated chunk of Natl. Forrest land by knocking on the door of an old couple's farm wearing a tool belt with a hammer, fencing pliers and bags full of nails and fencing staples.  I spent 4 days fixing 200 acres of fencing and was given the golden treatment every time I showed up to hunt.  They were so cool that they would let me park my rig at their back fenceline then drive me around to the top of the hill and drop me off to hunt my way back down.  It was still a 6 mile hike but at least it was almost all down hill back to my rig.  It made for a much better drag with a dead buck.  Unfortunately both of them passed away and their kids sold the place to some anti hunters from out of state.


Almost same deal with Dad and I.... We worked for alomost 3 weeks on this lady's house.... Fixing rot and what not.... Checked on her..... Nice old lady... Very sweet and eagar for company and conversation.... A few glasses of beer or wine too...... Some nights it was hard to get out of there..... She was a champ!!!!!!!    Hunted there during a little early and most late seasons.... Were very sucessful...... She took a fresh steak and would cook it for us... Next time I showed up she was gone and the daughter said we weren't welcome.. Never even knew she had a daughter...
What a Bi......... It is what it is..... $$$$$$$$$$$ And that's all it is....

[jjhunter]

As a landowner, my advice would be to be sincere.   If your likeable and personable, it helps.   Remember that 200 people have been there before you with fish, wine, sales pitch, etc.   You can tell a lot about a person in the first 5 seconds, that is usually the deciding factor for me.   If you gain access, asking to help around the place or pick something up that is unique to the area you live will probably mean access in the future.   Offering this up before access is granted is too "used car salesman" for me.   

[jagermiester]

If you need any of this advice you might be screwed if you can just show up and be yourself and your worth your salt you may have achance good luck