What are some of the best ways to get permission to hunt a property?

One of my friends did some construction work about 4 or 5 hours drive from our place and that customer told him we should be able to hunt some of the farms in that area because the farmers are tired of some of the deer.
We are planning to go one of the next Saturdays and see if we could get permission to hunt one or a few of the farms.
What are some ways that would make it easier to get permission?
Is there a certain time of the day or certain time of the year that is better?
Any information would be great.
Thank You

Go when you think both are home (husband and wife) and bring a cute kid with you. Make sure you and your vehicle are presentable... ie- shaved and trimmed, no holey jeans, rake the trash off the dash of your truck, no beer cans in the bed, etc. Might not hurt to have a pair of used up leather gloves in your back pocket so that the farmer thinks you know hard work and respect. If he says yes take him a bottle of wiskey and assorted coffee for the misses before season starts and at Christmas.

Sounds like catscratch has done this before.

I know the guys that are serious about asking for hunting permission have business cards made up.

What works with on one farm will blowup on another. Farmers being tired of all the deer is much different than a farmer allowing you access to the property. Does the farmer you will be addressing own the land you want to hunt? Or, is it leased? If it's leased, the farmer is probably not the one who can give you access (this will vary). I would think you would need to show some understanding of farming. The farmer might be trying to assess if you know to close gates if you open them - now not later. Do you know enough to drive only where you are granted that privilege. Will you stay out of standing crop fields? Are you a liability risk? How much liability coverage do you have? What's your background? Do you have a criminal record? Will you steal? How you overcome those kinds of thoughts going thru the farmers' heads will determine if you even have a chance. Be prepared for NO! If it happens, just say thank you and move on. Here's where you leave your contract information and some kind of offer - just in case "you change your mind."

Right now would be a good time to ask. Crop farmers are just waiting for harvest to roll around. Don't go in the spring or fall planting seasons. Don't go at harvest time.

One good thing to have in your back pocket is a million or two of liability insurance so the landowner knows all liability is off of him if an accident happens. It is fairly cheap and you can add properties to it as you gain permission. I know none of my landowners will allow hunting unless you have coverage. Other then that just be yourself. I make out a list of what my rules are for my properties so that they can see I am very serious about protecting my farmers and landowners assets. I also talk to them about ways I like to enhance properties if they will allow me to. You will get a lot of doors shut in your face but if you can land 1 out of 10 or 20 you did what you set out to get done. Good Luck! It is a rat race trying to obtain good hunting ground now a days.

Never underestimate the power of a 6-pack

The last two guys that stopped in to ask me had slurred speech and smelled like a brewery. If you offer me whiskey and a six pack you will probably not be hunting my land. Guns and alcohol are a bad mix if you ask me. Offer to help with my work, such as cutting field edges back, now that resonates with a farmer.

Know your state laws, for example liability isn't an issue in Wisconsin unless a land owner charges over a certain amount per year for outdoor activities including hunting.

Don't bother farmers on a Sunday. It's often a valued family day and uninvited door knockers aren't always welcome.
I disagree with giving alcohol. Give a more family friendly gift.
I always offer labor BEFORE hunting (not some lame, insincere offer to do some work "someday"). Try to "earn" the privilege of permission. Most farmers won't accept labor, but they always appreciate the gesture.

Buckeye said:

Sounds like catscratch has done this before.

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I've knocked on quite a few doors. Never get a second chance to make a first impression so don't make the wrong impression. To sum up my approach is basically clean everything up and be respectful. I did bring alcohol into the conversation, but only as a gift after the fact (and something for the wife is always included) to say thinks. I agree with Tap that is risky to offered alcohol "for" hunting and that labor is by far the best thing you can offer for trade. If given permission I also ask if they like fish or deer to eat. If they mention jerky or backstrap or that they use to like fresh fish but don't get out anymore I tend to make whatever they brought up happen for them. I've been amazed at how many old ranchers that own ponds and creeks love a package of fresh fillets but don't fish their own place.

One thing to consider is references; "So and so let me hunt their place, if you want to call and ask how I did please feel free to do so". Of course the reference should be asked ahead of time if you can use their name.

Good luck to ya!

Have a form with all your information on it. In luring description and plate number of your vehicle....you want them to have any and all info needed to reach you if ever needed. Have some idea of the property line of the place and if at all possible fine out their names before meeting them. Makes them feel you have done some home work. Don't talk about Bucks talk about you helping them with crop damage by removing the does. Taking a cute kid always helps and give them the - looking for a place to teach my kids to appreciate the outdoors pitch. A clean conservative appearance of all and everything in loved will help as well. If your willing to do some work around the place that is great - but you better follow thru. If you get the chance talk about any "rules" they may have - and especially where to park to not tear anything up and grossly minimize running the truck across a field. It shows you respect the property.

Go to the local diners for breakfast. Not the chain type. Sit and chew the fat with locals making comments about their awesome deer habitat. Mention your love of hunting and wildlife in general. I have never asked for permission to hunt. I have always been asked to hunt a persons property and some awesome ones no one is allowed on. People like good people especially farmers. I've become great friends with time with each of them. Good luck and remember to leave the arrogance at home.

dogghr said:

Go to the local diners for breakfast. Not the chain type. Sit and chew the fat with locals making comments about their awesome deer habitat. Mention your love of hunting and wildlife in general. I have never asked for permission to hunt. I have always been asked to hunt a persons property and some awesome ones no one is allowed on. People like good people especially farmers. I've become great friends with time with each of them. Good luck and remember to leave the arrogance at home.

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The best idea yet! "I've always been asked to hunt a persons property" Reminds me of Tom Sawyer talking his friends into paying for the opportunity to paint his fence.

I can't tell you best way, but I sure as heck can tell you the worst way:

Trespass on my property without asking. Then don't apologize for +6 months. Promise you'll never do it again. Then do it again next deer season. Then leave deer bait behind, plus leave the box you carried the bait in on the ground like trash so I have to pick it up.

I could forgive the trespassing, even doing it twice. I can forgive the baiting, not my problem, take it up with the Game Warden. Same with failure to check in your game per state game laws. I can forgive all that.

But throw trash on the ground? You guessed it: That's when the war started.

I got permission one time to waterfowl a place simply due to timing. I pulled into the place with all my ducks in a row (see what I did there?). And there is this older woman (I mean 70 or older) standing on this large boulder in the landscaping trying to replace a flood light. I walked up and can see she is having all sorts of trouble and the old man comes around the corner in a golf cart (cause his legs don't work so good either). I helped her down, replaced the flood light and they where tickled pink, and then it dawned on them that they had no idea who I was! We started talking and I explained that I simply wanted to lay in the cut corn, make some noise and shoot some geese. I gave them my info and the like and explained it would only be my boy and I and would only be once in a while. The old man wasn't real thrilled about the idea, but the older lady tugged in his elbow and he agreed. I told them I would come out and hunt, but she had to promise to not try to change light bulbs anymore.....I would be around once in a while for that if she could just be patient! They both laughed and we got along great.

This sounds funny but I also think owning my own place helped get permission. I understood what it takes to keep a place up and how folks invite themselves or mess up a place. I know what I would expect of someone coming to me and wanting access and then I try to provide that. I was asked all the time - why not hunt your place. Be honest - deer numbers are down in my area, or I'm just looking for an occasional change of scenery or I'm specifically looking for a place to take a deer or two for the table and those things. I was hunting geese and geese like water.....no water in my area so I went to where the geese wanted to be to hunt. Don't blow smoke up their butt. My grandfather used to say, "you can't BS an old BSer!" and he is right! Obviously he used the actual words - trying to keep it family friendly!

Bringing cash money to cover my property taxes might get you an audience, and then we can discuss paying me interest on the money I saved to buy the land in the first place.

CTM1 said:

Bringing cash money to cover my property taxes might get you an audience, and then we can discuss paying me interest on the money I saved to buy the land in the first place.

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So right,CTM1. Landowners pay dearly to have their own land to hunt, why should others expect to use it for free? My experience is that some hunters asking for permission leave very quickly when dollar bills are mentioned. Several years ago a fellow asked to hunt a prime woodlot I own that wasn't being hunted, the type of place you are guaranteed to shoot some deer. When I said $200 for taxes and it's all yours he suddenly remembered that he was running late for something. He came back a year later like he'd never met me before, and was suddenly late for something again. Make a fool out of yourself and the landowner may be laughing up his sleeve as you're pulling out the driveway.

The way I see it is I have to pay for the land I get to hunt or own so why shouldn't I be paid to hunt it as well. If i didn't pay for land I wouldn't have a place to hunt either. All of the people i mentioned obtaining ground from in above post I also pay them to lease the hunting rights to the ground. I also don't try to lowball them, I give them the going rate for the area they are in.

Thanks for all the great information. We are planning to talk with farmers this Saturday and I hope we can find a farm where we can help them with the deer population.
I don't drink alcohol and I will not be offering them any.
I work with farm equipment. I'll see if they need any parts or maybe I can give them a good deal on a piece of machinery.
My friend has his own construction crew and maybe we can do some building repairs around there.