Hey, Ya'll ...
I noticed in a recent post by TPM that one of the conclusions he reached concerning deer hunting this year was that it is very difficult for hunters to gain access to hunting land.
I am not in that situation at all, as I am a farm owner, and have abundant deer, bear, and turkey right here on the place. I never go anywhere to hunt, and haven't for five years ... just out the back door. I am not the only one who hunts here; I allow others to share it with me, but I am selective about it, and limit it to what I think the land and game will bear.
I just wanted to offer a bit of advice that I think might help some hunters seeking access to private land next year:
OFFER TO HELP OUT THE LANDOWNER IN SOME WAY!
Believe me ... I think I'd have a stroke if someone drove up and politely asked if they might help me out with some projects around the place in exchange for some hunting privileges! Once I regained consciousness and got up off the ground, I could suggest some activities ... you can bet on that.
A fellow hunter could help me build stands and blinds and bridges, cut trails and food plots, put up gates and signs, and many other things. I often need help and don't have it, because everyone is so busy nowadays. It's like pulling teeth to get a little assistance.
Your landowner may not be a hunter too, and may not have woods projects to do ... but he may well have other things that need doing.
It can't hurt to offer, and you just might make a friend out of it too.
Here's another tip if you hunt land that belongs to someone that doesn't need or want help: A thank-you card goes a long way toward making someone feel that they're not just being used ... maybe a homemade pie or a loaf of bread or some cookies ... anything to show appreciation. When I was a boy and a young man, I used to personally thank landowners who let me hunt every New Year's Day (or around then) by taking them some little goody or gift of appreciation. Genuine thankfulness and the expression of it is a rare grace nowadays ... we need to see more of it!
TIP FOR GAINING ACCESS TO PRIVATE LAND NEXT YEAR
-
Grizzly Adam
- Posts: 5701
- Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 8:36 pm
- Location: Decatur County, Indiana
Well said Grizzly, and I couldn't agree more.
The land owner where we hunt, not only allows us to hunt, but was so gracious to allow us to even build a shack on a part of his property. We can't thank him enough, but we do try by getting him a case of Austrailian wine every Christmas, and giving him a hand with any chores he needs help with.
The land owner where we hunt, not only allows us to hunt, but was so gracious to allow us to even build a shack on a part of his property. We can't thank him enough, but we do try by getting him a case of Austrailian wine every Christmas, and giving him a hand with any chores he needs help with.
ComfyBear
Micro Axe 340, Matrix 380, Matrix 355, Matrix 350, Exocet 200
ComfyBear Strings
G5 Montecs 125gr., SlickTrick 125 gr. Magnums
To thine own self be true.
Remove thine mask Polonius.
Live thy truth, doth not be false to any man.
Micro Axe 340, Matrix 380, Matrix 355, Matrix 350, Exocet 200
ComfyBear Strings
G5 Montecs 125gr., SlickTrick 125 gr. Magnums
To thine own self be true.
Remove thine mask Polonius.
Live thy truth, doth not be false to any man.
Well said. People are always asking me to help them access land as I know a lot of farmer outside the GTA. When I approach a new farm, I always ask what the job is the farmer hates doing the most. I also schedule a work weekend with the farms I return to each year. Last year I picked stones out of a 200 acre field. That is nut busting work. However, the farmer was so happy. Mend fence, string fence, dig post holes, cut fire wood, pick stones are all appreciated. Plus, I always give them to great steaks. In one case I even cooked them for the farmer and his wife. They give me a gift that means a lot to me; so I do some work at their place that means a lot to them. Fair.
If a person thinks they should have access just for a sweet smile and a few nice words . . . think again. Farmers have seen it all and had about every kind of hussle run on them before. Uhselfish honest hard work will yield you two returns. You will feel great at helping someone else and you get to hunt. Magic combination
If a person thinks they should have access just for a sweet smile and a few nice words . . . think again. Farmers have seen it all and had about every kind of hussle run on them before. Uhselfish honest hard work will yield you two returns. You will feel great at helping someone else and you get to hunt. Magic combination
The only ex who has a piece of my heart is Excalibur
Good post Grizzly. Unfortunately urban sprawl is wiping out a lot of good farm land in my part of the province. There has also been this epidemic of urbanites buying up rural property and they usually look at you like you have two heads when you ask them if it's okay to hunt their back forty.
In the case of the farm we hunt on the owners actually live in a house on a nearby property and they rent or lease out the buildings and acreage on the farm. They are big fans of venison so we take them a generous share of the meat along with a letter of thanks and appreciation.
In the case of the farm we hunt on the owners actually live in a house on a nearby property and they rent or lease out the buildings and acreage on the farm. They are big fans of venison so we take them a generous share of the meat along with a letter of thanks and appreciation.
