knocking on doors

The first three years I had my lab I did a fair amount of door knocking in SD & Southwest MN. Always did it by myself just me and the dog and was fortunate to get a couple landowners to agree and allow me a hunt.

Problem was I found it to be anything but a postive experience. Not that I was treated poorly (one exception) because those asked were typically polite and civil. The problem was the "here comes another one" body language, the fatigue in the voice when having to give there reasons for saying no one more time.

It was pretty clear to me that although I was asking as respectfully as possible I was still imposing on these people. Even the ones that said yes seemed to do so out of some strange sense of obligation. I never really felt like they were totally comfortable or enthusiastic to do so.

Bottom line is I don't want to make people feel this uncomfortable while they are standing in there own driveway or barnyard. It just wasn't right. Since then I have been a 100% public land freelancer.

I understand that in areas of the country that are less populated or less popular for hunting the landowners may feel a lot less bothered. Thing is I bet these areas are getting much fewer and farther between. Just my $.02.
 
I hear ya dwtn-bang, & that's the last thing on earth I want to make anybody feel like...have seen it occasionally in a farmer's or his wife's eyes & posture too (and we all probably will much more, if everybody readin this thread makes a sudden bum rush) :eek: I try my best to back-peddle & kid glove these kind of folks & leave 'em alone, you're right they don't need any more of the heavy-handed type of harassment they have probably already recieved...

But such has not always been the case for me...I have also met some very jovial & warm/welcoming farmers along the way too, plus many others whose only body language & unspoken words are maybe a little smirky eye-roll & "Geez, don't all you hunters have any work to do" while I quickly go out of my way not to get in the way or hold them up from either the job at hand or next one hollering in line ...I think some of it is in the approach, and to be honest that's why I also try my best to focus off the radar screen away from some of the higher-profile areas.

I do keep up with the people I meet - give them gifts, show genuine interest in their lives, have visited some of their churches & homes, still call several on the phone years later & from several states away long after there is any hunting involved in the relationship! A little something, something about "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" goes an awful long ways sometimes...
 
I stop and ask all the time. I don't have any trouble at all. As far as imposing, never an issue. Most have a hard time letting you get away without talking your leg off. I think you just have to have good people skills, and know how to aproach some one in the right frame of mind and and tone. Show your gratitude always.
 
I have always greeted and treated warmly, even when they have said no. Most express their appreciation of being asked for permission. I feel it is the right thing to do. Then you never have to worry about getting in trouble.........Bob
 
Not too many ask me, since they are afraid to get to close to the end of the world. ;)
 
Knocking on doors

It's great to see there is still a place to gain access to hunting by knocking on doors. When growing up years past knocking on doors worked most of the time. But now, all hunting here in SD (deer and birds) is commercialized to the point that many resident hunters (and their sons) quit hunting every year due to this situation. Some WIA's aren't bad either early or late, but get terrific pressure.

For the last five years, the number of non-resident hunters has been higher than resident, which is not a good trend.
 
If a person can get something for nothing then that's great and more power to you.

However, I have a hard time understanding why a landowner or farmer would turn down an opportunity to make additional income. And I don't understand why so many hunters are unwilling to pay for the opportunity to hunt someone's land.

It isn't so much about access to land to hunt. There already is plenty of land in the walk in areas, WPA's, GF&P's and now the CREP program available to all hunters. The issue, as I see it, is that most hunters seek land that is somewhat exclusive meaning that they have access at the exclusion of all or most others. Ideally a hunter seeks permission to hunt good quality land where other's are not allowed. That is the advantage they are seeking over hunting public land.
 
Landman, I couldn't agree more. I have lots of acres to walk here in Illinois. Miles actually. However, me seeing or shooting a rooster? slim chance. So, I pay the treaspass fee in SD. Its not cheap and I do save my money all year for my annual trip. When I get there, I have the entire farm to ourselves and more wild birds than one can imagine. For us this is worth it. We could walk the pounded WIA's but why? Again, I can do that here in IL.

Bob
 
I assumed I'd get responses counter to mine when I posted. Everyones experiences do differ.

It should be noted I was a complete stranger and an outsider in all of the situations. I didn't go to school with anyones kids or grandkids, I didn't work at the CO-OP and didn't even live in the next town over. When asked where I was from I was always truthful and said "The Cities". Meaning MPLS-St. Paul which usually doesn't win a guy a ton of points in rural MN or the Dakota's.

Having grown up on a farm in rural Indiana I know from experience that just being local helps. Having mutual friends and acquaintances matters in how you are perceived and changes how open people are to interaction. Nothing wrong with that it's just how it is.

I also think hunters frequently overestimate there salesmanship abilities and people skills. Recall a situation from my teens where a crew of deer hunters from Indy pulled into my Grandfather's driveway and asked permission to hunt whitetail. At first the conversation was good and seemed headed towards a quick and good natured end. However one of the guys was a big talker and kept going on and on. Pretty much ignored the one word answers and (obvious to me) impatience of my grandfather. Ultimately they did get permission to hunt but mostly because they didn't appear a threat to shoot the livestock and because the deer had done a number on the soybeans that summer. Thirty years later and I'm still certain that guy was convinced he talked his way into the hunt.

For the record the two landowners who did grant me permission were given brief thank you notes and a gift card in appreciation of the kindness.
 
I don't know how it would work for gaining permission for bird hunting but I've had some success gaining access in three states for whitetail by writing letters. I use county tax records (some counties have easy reference GIS data) to find parcels that look good and then do some driving to get an idea of the lay of the land. The letter basically starts off with an apology for intruding and then explaining that it's the less intrusive method for starting this type of conversation. I then explain everything I can about my work, my ethics, my family and my views on hunting. Once I get permission, I stop by and do more formal introductions. I've even received phone calls and letters back from people saying no, explaining their reasoning.
 
More for me too!

Funny to see this thread here today. I too got lucky and met a decent person that granted me access to his land. It was time. The land I've been hunting is in sad shape this year. Much of it is plowed under and all pivot corners have been "cleaned up". The new places look better than the old ones ever did anyway so I'm not too concerned.

Still searching for that private 1/4 of CRP though;)
 
Knock on doors

It does seem like a long time ago when friends and neighbors joined in for a fun hunt, and knocking on doors resulted in not only gaining hunting access but long-lasting friendships as well. The reason was folks in farm country had a different attitude then towards not only hunters and hunting, but money as well. They got along OK without the farm subsidies of today, and pay hunting was rare, and then with only nominal daily fees.

Thank goodness there are still a few good old-fashioned folks in farm land that do business with a handshake, and allow hunters permission to hunt. If you have a place to hunt like that, enjoy it as much as you can. Make sure you tell the landowner you appreciate his hospitality and the opportunity afforded.
 
CRP you hit the nail on the head its all about how you treat your fellow man and alot of the farmers in this area refuse to lease even though they could make some nice money buit they say the attitudes just arent there and if they want to know how things are going then they have to get permission from the leasee to enter their own property correct me if i'm wrong but that is wrong
 
The other thing they worry about is liability. When one of those "paying" hunters gets injured in a fall or shooting "incident", the monies received for hunting will look paltry compared to loosing the farm in legal action. The IRS and state tax revenue depts. are also interested in these operations................
 
CRP said:
The other thing they worry about is liability. When one of those "paying" hunters gets injured in a fall or shooting "incident", the monies received for hunting will look paltry compared to loosing the farm in legal action. The IRS and state tax revenue depts. are also interested in these operations................
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Wives tale in MN, MN LAW states the land owner is not Liable for any accident a person has while enjoying recreation on there land. I do agree that sue happy people have put fear in people, but it is nothing to worry about hear, Thank God.:thumbsup:
 
With 2 trial lawyers behind every tree, I wouldn't count on that opinion for protection! There are quite a few folks in society that have paid dearly after being told "not to worry".
 
FCSpringer said:
Wives tale in MN, MN LAW states the land owner is not Liable for any accident a person has while enjoying recreation on there land. I do agree that sue happy people have put fear in people, but it is nothing to worry about hear, Thank God.:thumbsup:
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Wives tale is correct. That law only applies when the land is not leased, only when the landowner gives permission for hunting. Once the land is leased for money, the landowner is on his own and the law does not offer any protection.
 
CRP said:
With 2 trial lawyers behind every tree, I wouldn't count on that opinion for protection! There are quite a few folks in society that have paid dearly after being told "not to worry".
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It is not opinion, it is Law. It is in the hunting regs as well. If you give permission for someone to hunt, and he falls down and goes boom, you do not have to offer him a band aid. That law should be passed nation wide. It would detour scammers. Kinda like TX trespassers. STOP "BANG" or I'll shoot. Now if a guy gives you permission, and then proceed to run over you with his tractor, well thats another matter. It is a law that can give piece of mind to folks. Good honest people. And lets face it someone gets hurt every year hunting, but in no way should a land owner be liable. I have not at least here ever heard of any such frivolous law suits.
 
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