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Asking Permission and Keeping It

...by David Rearick
 

1. The first thing I like to do when trying to gain permission; go at a time when I feel I will not disturb the landowner. Obviously farmers are very busy people, so I try to catch them at the barn or the house and try not to make them stop what they are doing. In the instance where the land is owned by an individual besides the farmer, I like to try and stop at a time when the person will be awake, but not enjoying lunch or dinner or putting the kids to sleep. Showing up at 9:30 and ringing the bell on a school night is the first way to get someone in the house up out of bed and to put the landowner on edge before you even open your mouth. Sometimes getting the person at the right time is all you need to get a good in and to keep the odds on my favor.

2. Attitude is the second thing on my list, when I ring the bell or knock on the door. When someone answers, I put on a happy face and make sure to greet them, as if we are old friends. Nothing puts people at ease faster, than a friendly smile, and sometimes the first bit of dialogue between the owner and me seals the deal. Speaking clearly and loud enough to ensure they don’t have to keep asking me “what” ensures that their “mood” will stay positive throughout the conversation.

3. Keeping it positive is yet another thing that is crucial. I never let a farmer know just how much I want to get on their property, until after I have permission. Begging is not gratifying to the person doing it or the person receiving it. If I feel things going sour, I always try to keep things positive. If the farmer starts talking about other guys that have done this or that, I always agree with him and tell him just how horrible that is for someone else to have done this to his land. Farmers and landowners spend a lot of money these days on taxes, buying property, and maintaining a “nice” place. They don’t want some guy off the street to come in and leave trash, shoot their barn, or scare their cows. I always make sure to let him or her know that I have been doing this for many years and if for instance, I am asking to get on a horse farm, I may tell him of “other” horse farms, I have permission on. (I never give the “other” farmers name either, as sometimes farmers/horse breeders do not get along and that in itself can close the door on you gaining permission)

4. Don’t lie; plain and simple. If a landowner asks how many guys, tell him. If he doesn’t like it, adjust to what he or she wants. Some people surprisingly enough don’t want to be woken up at 7 AM on Saturday to the sound of a barrage of gun shots. In some cases you are hunting out, well away from buildings, but always ask the farmer what he or she wants you to do and don’t lie about how you are going to do it.

5. Dressing appropriately is something else that can have an affect on your outcome. If you are going to a big house with a beautiful pond covered in geese, don’t look like you just crawled out of a hole or just came out of the woods covered in blood. Most likely, the owner isn’t going to let every yahoo come in and shoot their manicured and groomed pond. They want someone that they feel is respectful and going to do the right thing. Just putting on a clean pair of jeans and a decent shirt can seal the deal and for picky landowners, we have even been known to go up before or after work dressed to the hilt. Things like this go along way and while it isn’t something you need everywhere, choose your dress appropriately when going to somewhere you think it is going to be difficult to get permission.

6. Respect is something else that is far too often overlooked when it comes to hunting another person’s tract of land. Never drive in a field without asking a farmer. Not only is it possible, he doesn’t want you out there, he may also know of a hidden mud hole that he does not want to pull you out of at 5 AM. Also, make sure to keep your distance from building and livestock, unless you asked to be in with them. Sometimes people don’t actually think you are crazy enough to go in next to the pond with the bull, but hey most of us are. Make sure to respect the neighbors of the land you are on too, don’t pull in at “O’Dark-Thirty” and shine your high beams into neighboring homes, so you can “see better” to set-up decoys. I can only tell you how much trouble that will cause when the farmer’s lights come on after being awakened by his upset neighbor.

7. Obeying the law when on another property is something that is far more than just a matter of respect. Breaking the law is a cardinal sin in my book, especially in cases like shooting into a safety zone or doing something else stupid, like shooting over the limit or something out of season. Plain and simple, don’t do it, not only will the farmer boot you for good, but I can guarantee we wouldn’t be hunting together and you would be seeing the appropriate authorities at your door. Just because they told you to hunt, make sure they are okay, if you are going to hunt in their safety zone. Don’t assume they think it is okay and definitely don’t assume they told you to go hunt next to the neighbor’s house either. An upset neighbor is enough for any landowner to close their property down for good.

8. Giving Back is something far too many waterfowlers forget after the season. Now that you went on to a backyard pond and helped them with there geese, don’t be afraid to ask to put out some nesting structures for ducks in the spring, that may just make the landowner happy, as his or her kids can look at the “pretty ducks” and watch them grow. Showing you are respectful to them and the resource goes along way. Don’t forget about the farmers you utilize throughout the season; many times they are short handed and could always use some help around hay season or when they are calving. Lending one day a year may just gain you sole access to the farm for the rest of your life. And finally, if you can’t lend any time, stop by and give them a ham, yes a ham or turkey or a nice package of steaks may just be enough to keep your face in their head as they chew each tasty morsel.

Plain and simple, these are easy rules to stand by and utilize. It won’t get you into downtown to hunt in the city square, but it will get you into more places that you can think and keep you on them for years to come.