Few questions for you Kansas residents. I'm driving up from far SE Oklahoma to do some hunting around the Liberal/Montezuma area as soon as I see a little snow on the radar. In the past I have hit public land and had decent success, after a lot of work. But of course the work makes it a little more rewarding. I don't know that I am the typical hunter, as I prefer to hunt alone with my dog. I don't get a kick out of drives with lots of people, blockers at the end, and 20 dogs running amuck. I go more for the alone time and companionship of my dog, who loves it even more than I do.
Being that I live close to the OK/TX border, I know how a resident feels seeing a bunch of out of state license plates bombarding your areas. I pretty much feel the same about seeing Texas license plates in my deer haunts. But the fact is, you've got great pheasant hunting and we don't! After a couple of knee injuries in the last two years, I can't get around as well as before, but I'm gonna give her hell this year... you know, for the dog and all. How do most of the farmers react to a lone person knocking on the door asking for permission to hunt as opposed to a flock of 20 gun totin nonresidents? I know ya'll guys probably get hammered with poachers, trespassers, and just general BS that comes along with being a land owner and knee jerk reaction is just to say no to everyone. My family has always been in agriculture and had the same issues. Pretty much have to say no to everyone, especially nonresidents that swoop in and out of town with no respect for the locals and their property.
I'm not a rich man, I can't afford guided hunts (which take all the fun out of it anyway), I'm just a good ol boy that doesn't live round here, that likes to work his dog and shoot a few birds. The best that I can provide for payment is a big bag of homemade deer jerky and some fine venison jalapeno and cheese summer sausage. Not asking any of you for permission, leads, or anything else, other than your opinion if you would let someone like me hunt some corners that hold birds. I wouldn't even mind forming a lasting friendship with people, maybe swap out for some deer hunts or something in the future. Just a thought.[/QU
I am going to share with you the #1 secret to getting on private farms. This is coming from someone who has great success on getting on farms. The secret? NEVER ask! I mean it. You knock on the door and whether its the wife or husband start talking to them about their farm, unusual things you may see when you pull up, the smell of carmels in the oven, etc. The main thing you want to do is comment positively about something on their farm, their cattle, the neat appearance of their farm, etc. This is their work and lifestyle and their farm is EVERYTHING to them. You show an interest in it beyond just wanting to hunt and that will separate you from 99% of the others. Finally, the wife or husband will say to you, "I suppose you are looking for a place to hunt?" When they ask you its over. NEVER been turned down in 40 years when they ask me. Oh, I did get turned down once because they had other hunters coming, but the farmer called his neighbor and got me on that farm. It's too easy for them to say no if you ask them right away. As your talking to them they are sizing you up and analizing you. If and when they feel comfortable with you, they will then ask you. It works. After you are done hunting make sure you stop back and thank them. If you feel comfortable you can then ask them if you can stop back again. If you are alone and plan on coming back alone make sure you tell them you will not be coming back with others. One of the biggest fears of farmers is if they give permission that the hunter will bring a group back. How do I know this? Because I have asked farmers what they don't like and that has been ther #1 complaint. I decided 30 years ago I was not going to hunt public land. I decided I would get some farms to hunt on in SD. That is not an easy task, but I now have several places to hunt so that I never burn one place out. Good luck.
