navychief1968
Jr. Member
First of all, let me state, I am by no means an expert on this subject, but I have had really good luck at getting permission to hunt private property (probably close to a 90% success rate) and here are a few "tips and tricks" I have used in the past. Most of the tips in the list you probably already know and use, but I might list something you have not thought of and can use in the future.
1. THE DIRECT APPROACH. Don't be afraid to knock on doors. Most people are really nice and more than willing to let you hunt on their property.
2. NAME DROPPING. I will often times talk to neighbour nearby the property I want to hunt before I directly approach the land owner whom I am really after. Then in conversation with the land owner, I use the neighbor's name.
3. DON'T LET THOSE NICE HOUSES AND MANISONS SCARE YOU. In my experience, the more affluent the landowner, the more likely they are to give you permission.
4. KEEP YOUR SHOVEL IN THE CAR! The sight of that big digging tool can turn a potential yes into a big fat no darn quick! Most people don't know the pains that good detectorists will go to ensure we do not damage lawns and such.
5. HAVE A HOOK. Mine is "I am a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy home on leave for a few days". Most people have a relative in the armed services. On some people, it goes a long way towards getting permission. I have even been known to ask while in uniform. After I get permission, then it's off to the nearest gas station restroom and "quick-o / change-o" and I am back out to the property in my street clothes. Another guy I used to hunt with in Memphis used the fact that he used to play football for UT as his "hook". He is also teacher in a local high school, that was a good one too!
6. ALWAYS BE POLITE! In my experience, your conversation should start something like this " Hi. My name is Chris Reynolds. I hate to bother you at home on a Saturday morning but ....."
7. BE WILLING TO CHIT-CHAT WITH THE LAND OWNER. People are a lot less likely to turn down a person they "know" over one they don't (even if they have only known you five minutes). In the past, I have had people initially tell me no, then after a little conversation with them, they change their minds and give me permission.
8. CARRY TWO DETECTORS. I once had a landowner tell me that they were not willing to let me hunt because he always wanted to buy a metal detector and hunt the property himself. Then my response was "well, I just happen to have another detector in the car and would be more than willing too...) It worked! I got permission and he had a great time too!
9. YOU ARE SELLING YOURSELF. Always look presentable. Don't approach a land owner looking like you just completed a two week bivouac. Muddy knees-OK. Muddy from head to toe-Not OK!
10. BE PERSISTANT. I once had to drop in on a land owner three times before I received permission to hunt his property. During my visits I had coffee with him, received a tour of his house and property, and struck up a great conversation with his wife. On my third visit, he ask me if I was still interested in hunting his property. Well, I am sure you know my response. After all, the house had been built in the early 1800's and had hosted such guests as Sam Houston and President Andrew Jackson.
As I stated in the beginning, this list is by no means meant to be a complete list. It's just things that have worked for me in the past and hopefully they might help you in the future. If you have any good "tips" that work for you, let me know. I am always looking to improve my skills.
Chris Reynolds
Chief Petty Officer, USN
1. THE DIRECT APPROACH. Don't be afraid to knock on doors. Most people are really nice and more than willing to let you hunt on their property.
2. NAME DROPPING. I will often times talk to neighbour nearby the property I want to hunt before I directly approach the land owner whom I am really after. Then in conversation with the land owner, I use the neighbor's name.
3. DON'T LET THOSE NICE HOUSES AND MANISONS SCARE YOU. In my experience, the more affluent the landowner, the more likely they are to give you permission.
4. KEEP YOUR SHOVEL IN THE CAR! The sight of that big digging tool can turn a potential yes into a big fat no darn quick! Most people don't know the pains that good detectorists will go to ensure we do not damage lawns and such.
5. HAVE A HOOK. Mine is "I am a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy home on leave for a few days". Most people have a relative in the armed services. On some people, it goes a long way towards getting permission. I have even been known to ask while in uniform. After I get permission, then it's off to the nearest gas station restroom and "quick-o / change-o" and I am back out to the property in my street clothes. Another guy I used to hunt with in Memphis used the fact that he used to play football for UT as his "hook". He is also teacher in a local high school, that was a good one too!
6. ALWAYS BE POLITE! In my experience, your conversation should start something like this " Hi. My name is Chris Reynolds. I hate to bother you at home on a Saturday morning but ....."
7. BE WILLING TO CHIT-CHAT WITH THE LAND OWNER. People are a lot less likely to turn down a person they "know" over one they don't (even if they have only known you five minutes). In the past, I have had people initially tell me no, then after a little conversation with them, they change their minds and give me permission.
8. CARRY TWO DETECTORS. I once had a landowner tell me that they were not willing to let me hunt because he always wanted to buy a metal detector and hunt the property himself. Then my response was "well, I just happen to have another detector in the car and would be more than willing too...) It worked! I got permission and he had a great time too!
9. YOU ARE SELLING YOURSELF. Always look presentable. Don't approach a land owner looking like you just completed a two week bivouac. Muddy knees-OK. Muddy from head to toe-Not OK!
10. BE PERSISTANT. I once had to drop in on a land owner three times before I received permission to hunt his property. During my visits I had coffee with him, received a tour of his house and property, and struck up a great conversation with his wife. On my third visit, he ask me if I was still interested in hunting his property. Well, I am sure you know my response. After all, the house had been built in the early 1800's and had hosted such guests as Sam Houston and President Andrew Jackson.
As I stated in the beginning, this list is by no means meant to be a complete list. It's just things that have worked for me in the past and hopefully they might help you in the future. If you have any good "tips" that work for you, let me know. I am always looking to improve my skills.
Chris Reynolds
Chief Petty Officer, USN
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