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!