Many people long to find a honey hole to hunt on private land.
Many private landowners, whether they hunt or not, are sick of hunters, or, at least, sick of the type of hunters they've had bad experiences with.
Understand that the landowner may never have had contact with a dedicated hunter, who recognizes that hunting private land is a privilege, and something that will take effort. You must recognize that the effort to gain permission to hunt private land might mirror your toughest hunt.
To make things a bit easier, try following some of these basic steps to help establish a trustworthy relationship between yourself and the landowner.
This can be as simple as getting a name from a mailbox. If this isn't an option, your next step is to search for the owner using a computer, or by making a trip to the county courthouse.
An office in the courthouse, usually the recorder of deeds, will have a list of all properties which can be searched using the owner's name or the property's physical address.
Let the landowner know you'll abide by any requests, such as limiting your hunting to specified dates and times. Farmers raising animals such as cattle or horses might be against rifle or shotgun hunting, but allow archery hunting.
If you're fortunate enough to set up a meeting, don't blow it now.
Although a suit and tie aren't expected, you should make an effort to make a great first impression.
Be on time, wearing clean clothes. Dress on the assumption that the landowner is a non-hunter, and might have had a bad experience with hunters: Stay away from the blaze orange and camouflage for that first meeting. Don't smoke. Shake hands, make eye contact, introduce yourself and thank the landowner for meeting with you.
If you're meeting at the farm, keep your eyes peeled for incomplete projects, and be quick to offer your help. If nothing catches your eye, ask questions such as, “What keeps you busy in the winter/spring/summer?”
You should send a thank you card, and a holiday card in December. Perhaps even include a Gift Card to show how much you appreciate the access to their land.
Somewhere, there's a piece of land you'd love to hunt.
Start looking.
It might be the most rewarding scouting you ever do.
Many private landowners, whether they hunt or not, are sick of hunters, or, at least, sick of the type of hunters they've had bad experiences with.
Understand that the landowner may never have had contact with a dedicated hunter, who recognizes that hunting private land is a privilege, and something that will take effort. You must recognize that the effort to gain permission to hunt private land might mirror your toughest hunt.
To make things a bit easier, try following some of these basic steps to help establish a trustworthy relationship between yourself and the landowner.
Find Out Who Owns The Land
Your search begins in choosing a farm or piece of land to hunt, and finding out who owns it.This can be as simple as getting a name from a mailbox. If this isn't an option, your next step is to search for the owner using a computer, or by making a trip to the county courthouse.
An office in the courthouse, usually the recorder of deeds, will have a list of all properties which can be searched using the owner's name or the property's physical address.
Write A Letter
In your letter, start by introducing yourself, your age, where you live, where you work. Do you belong to any outdoor organizations? Are you a veteran? Express your willingness to help with projects on the land, and don't limit yourself to farm work. Can you help with taxes and accounting; design a website? Cut hair, cut grass?Let the landowner know you'll abide by any requests, such as limiting your hunting to specified dates and times. Farmers raising animals such as cattle or horses might be against rifle or shotgun hunting, but allow archery hunting.
Set Up A Meeting
Finally, let the landowner know you'd like to talk on the phone or in person, and provide all your contact information.If you're fortunate enough to set up a meeting, don't blow it now.
Although a suit and tie aren't expected, you should make an effort to make a great first impression.
Be on time, wearing clean clothes. Dress on the assumption that the landowner is a non-hunter, and might have had a bad experience with hunters: Stay away from the blaze orange and camouflage for that first meeting. Don't smoke. Shake hands, make eye contact, introduce yourself and thank the landowner for meeting with you.
If you're meeting at the farm, keep your eyes peeled for incomplete projects, and be quick to offer your help. If nothing catches your eye, ask questions such as, “What keeps you busy in the winter/spring/summer?”
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Stay In Touch
If you're lucky enough to gain permission to hunt the land, keep the landowner updated with your season. Let him know what game you've seen, and if you've been successful. And it's imperative that you should offer to share the harvest.You should send a thank you card, and a holiday card in December. Perhaps even include a Gift Card to show how much you appreciate the access to their land.
Somewhere, there's a piece of land you'd love to hunt.
Start looking.
It might be the most rewarding scouting you ever do.
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