Best Way To Ask Permisssion to Hunt Private Land?

Hi All,

I wanted to approach some farmers in my area of NJ and ask them for permission to hunt on their property.

Does anyone have any tips, suggestions, examples of what the best way to go about this is?

Should I just walk up to his front door and ask? Send a letter with a picture? Should I hang a flyer in the local grocery store? Should I offer him meat from any game I kill? Should I offer to do some farm work?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated,

I doubt the door would have much to say about the subject.

That would be rather impersonal.

If you read your hunters education manual it would probably answer that question for you.

Probably wouldn't hurt.

... and be treated like a door to door salesman.

More on that below...

Perhaps, but again, more on that below....

Yes, as a courtesy. Usually something choice, the heart, or liver, or a nice roast.

We are now 'below'. I myself am a landowner; not like a big farm, but land. Honestly, I'm not a big fan of sharing my land when there's plenty of public land around, but the way on for a stranger would be definitely to offer something I don't have alot of: working time.

Offer help. You can do it by knocking on the landowner's door, or by sticking a letter in his mailbox, or by posting a work offer at the local feed store. Say you are willing to work during haying, during the time to cut firewood, during whatever work season the farms local to you have will accomplish a few things: one, it will give the landowner some value for access, and second, there are few things better you can do to learn the character of a man than putting in a honest day's work together. By the end of that, if you're a good sort, I'd be really surprised if he didn't let you hunt his land... and probably stay for supper, too .

G'day Mike, Here in Oz we have areas where ferals are a problem where it costs the landholder time and money to keep them under control.

so some pointers from this part of the world.....

A phone call to introduce yourself, outline your experience with firearms and some indication of 'Bush nouse' {rural experience}works here. Have a conversation, don't try to sell!

Create an impression that you are an experienced and responsible hunter! Ask the owner what His/Her rules are, preferred game, etc before they mention the subject if you feel you have a kind ear. If the landholder isn't interested, ask if any neighbour (spelling is correct ) might be?

Your first contact is the start of relationships for your area, don't blow it!

Keep in mind that most landholders are wary of strangers and very protective of their holdings, it takes time to establish a trust. Who would allow a stranger into their home?

Your US situation will differ, however the rules of human nature are the same. It works for me! )

Btw, A beer or two with the holder sometime in your trip is aways a, 'Be happy to have yah back anytime,' conversation. ))

Good luck,

Do I get to marry your daughter, too? Seriously, the guy just wants to hunt your land, not move in.

Most farmers are eager to get some hunters (read 'some' to thin out the deer and other varmits that destroy their crops. But, you should note that many farmers lease out their lands to hunting guides (usually to buy feed in the spring) and therefore cannot give you permission, so you chances of getting a yes will vary from location to location. My experience (based on the extent of the guides' leases) in the East is that chances are rather poor, but NJ may be the exception. I grew up there and the hunting fever is not as wild as it is, say, down in NC or in western PA. Give it a shot.

My 'daughter' is a 170 pound english mastiff, but if she really loves you... .

Ain't here. The Quebec deer numbers have finally, after decades of careful management, finally reached carrying capacity. That's a fair number of deer, but not so many that I'd want people to come shoot mine .

Actually, one thing I have noticed. Myself, I've hunted public land alot (Canada is about 85% public land), private land (belonging to friends), and now my own acreage, now that I've gotten settled, and bought some.

It definitely changes your outlook, owning land.

You should try it .

LOL.. Send them to MInnesota. Things are so bad here, that Bowhunters arrange special cull hunts in the parks of the greater Minneapolis-St Paul area. For a Montrealer, that's like hunting deer near Beaver Lake on top of

Where I'm 'living' right now, I'd first have to win a big Powerball jackpot to buy a quarter-section, then win the state lottery twice a year to pay the property taxes.

-jc-