Getting Permisson to hunt.

[koger]

Saw this other post gave me an idea to post also. I have several farms I can hunt on for deer or whatever here in KY, for free. I usually ask first to varmint hunt, coyotes or woodchucks, all farmers around here hate them. If you help thin out the varmints, prove yourself to be trustworthy and a boon to the farmer, he will usually in a year or two ask if you want to deer hunt some. I varmint hunt mostly with rifles I have built,just more efficent. I usually buck hunt at home,and that seems to make farmers more at ease, when they know you are doe hunting to fill the freezer. A bow makes them less nervous to, since so many idiots with guns get trigger happy when it comes to deer hunting. It never hurts to help get a cow up that has gotten out, or at least let the farmerknow, or help load a wagon of hay. A few times I have reported suspicous characters to them that I saw while hunting, sometimes its friends or neighbors, but they seem to appreciate that you have their best interest in mind. One property I hunt is close to my  house, and is small, but a die hard deer travel route where we harvest deer every year, only about 5 acres, grown  up in the back. They wouldnt let anyone hunt there after buying the property, they live in Ohio, and use this as a weekend cabin to enjoy the lake here. I was  over one day, talked to them, they had been the victim of some theives. I asked if they would like me to check in on the place once a day on  my way to work or on the way home. They were thrilled, gave me their business card, and told me I could have the run of the place. The wife and I have taken a lot of deer there over the last several deer , and they have had no more breakins. One guy let me hunt because I gave his grandson a starter fiberglass bow my kids had outgrown years ago. Well just thought I would pass on some tips that had worked for me, might help some of you guys.

[Autumnarcher]

It seems it is increasing harder to get access by the old knock and ask method,but it does work. Private land access is hard to get without leasing these days. Here in Mich, its seemingly impossible. Most landowners have friends and family that hunt there, or else they dont allow any.

But if you put in the work, it can be had. I usually look over a platt book for larger tracts, and drive by them to see what they look like. I introduce myself, and ask for permission to small game hunt or turkey hunt in the spring. Those are usually easier to gain access. Once I get permission, I ask where I should park, and ask if there are any particular rules- gates, othter hunters, treestands, trimming shooting lanes etc. I always make sure while on the property if I find any trash blowing around, I pick it up and carry it out. If I find any fences in need of mending, I tell the owner, or make a temporary fix if there is a risk of livestock getting loose. tell the owner if you find and dead or injured livestock, or crop damage. In general, be a good steward of the land while youre there.

At the end of the season, or before Christmas, I always take a ham and big fruit basket to the owners as a thank you. If the owner is also a hunter, I will give them a knife or something as a thank you for the opportunity,and as always, offer them some game.

Doing this is a good way to get welcomed back.

Some owners will tell you to shoot anything you get a chance to to reduce crop damage. I had one tell me if I passed up a clean shot, I'm outta there. His crops were decimated by deer, and he wanted them shot. Period. Others may tell you only does. Show you are responsible, and they will welcome you .