Getting permission to hunt fields?

[Bizzo]

Hey all, I've been a small time artifact collector pretty much my whole life. Always picking up points and tools I see when working in the garden and food plots or fishing. Recently, however, I've been gaining interest in them and would like to actively hunt for arrowheads and such. I was just wondering, how do you guys go about gaining permission to hunt farm fields? I live near a lot of bottom farmland and I'm sure the fields are full of points, but most of them are owned by big companies and leased by farmers. It makes it difficult to find out who actually farms the fields. Does anyone ever just go walk the fields without asking? I do a lot of fishing in the creeks and rivers around the fields and I usually park on gaswell pads or on the road. The farmers have stopped a few times to ask what I was doing and they never cared that I was on their property, but walking through the middle of the fields is a little different, I don't want to get arrested or shot you know? Any tips on getting permission or finding places to hunt would be greatly appreciated!

Also, some of the fields are owned by the corps of engineers, I imagine picking up artifacts on these fields would be a big no no?

 

[Mrdigz]

Just go up to the house and explain what you do. Where I live in New York most people don't even answer but you should still give it a shot you never know! Maybe make some flyers explaining what your looking for along with pictures. They might not give you permission the first time but if your polite and you leave a flyer with your number on it they might even call you or pass your information on to family and friends.
If it's mainly farmland offer to help out for free for an hour or two. Then the homeowner might even point you in the right direction. " pun intended"
Scouting areas near rivers and streams that look different than the surrounding landscape has always payed off for me.

 

[Americus]

If I don't know the farmer but I know somebody who does, I frequently ask the person who knows the farmer to ask for me. This works lots of time. Good luck!

 

[Bizzo]

Thanks for the advice guys! I'll try to ask around some. Sadly the only farmer I know is a sod farmer and I'm sure all his fields are picked clean. The problem is finding the people that farms the fields. I can't look it up because they usually just lease them from companies.

 

[monsterrack]

You can contact the companies that own the fields by going to the court house and getting their address or phone #, it' on file there in a plate book. If you see someone working in the field stop and ask them who is farming it and call them . A lot of farmers don't care if will walk the before they plant it and tell them you are surface hunting only. Do not pick up anything on government land( you will get in big trouble). Good Luck !!!!!

 

[Buckleberry]

I've found many a nice arrowhead on farms that have been "picked clean" and ones that "ain't got any arra-heads"....also don't say "hunt" bad connotations, rather " I like to find arrowheads".

I tried leaving fliers, never worked, too easy to ignore...but I do hand them one if they want after they've said yes, so they have my info and feel comfortable about me being there.

Bring a kid and or a dog, if possible when you ask ( borrow both if you don't have either ). They work wonders and at the very least stop the grumpy ones from overreacting.

Dress like a farmer, boots, flannel, ball cap...and be ready with a quick compliment about their land, farm, car, house....say you won't bring anyone, ask where to park and if they want you to stop by and or call everytime, let them know what your car make is, I have a big arrowhead stick-on on the back of my car I tell them about in case they forget and see it there they know it's me.
Next time you come back bring something....local honey, coffee, fruit, vege....just a "thank you...remember me" .
I usually have an 80% + success (yes) rate.
Good Luck

 

[rock]

Well as far as the corps of engineers go stay away. Dont even ask them would be my answer to that one. They do care what you pick up and take home. You may not see them but they will see you.
On the fields if the farmer works the land he knows who owns it. I get permission by knowing the farmer he then asks the owners for me. Some say yes and some say no. Farmers work 14 hours a day during planting season so your best bet is to talk to them in the slow time like winter. Dont ever approach a farmer while he is on his tractor unless he comes to you first. The owner of the property trumps all others when it comes to permission. Good luck, rock

 

[ptsofnc]

Be brave and bold enough to politely introduce yourself and ask for permission. I would never walk where I don't have permission. If you find something, offer some of the finds to the land owner for their grandchildren. It might hurt a little, but that is always an very appreciated gesture.

 

[rock]

Be brave and bold enough to politely introduce yourself and ask for permission. I would never walk where I don't have permission. If you find something, offer some of the finds to the land owner for their grandchildren. It might hurt a little, but that is always an very appreciated gesture.

Very true lots of the owners are to old to get out anymore to find them. I gave a empty frame to 1 land owner and told them when I do a hunt I will only keep 1 out of everything (my choice) and the rest goes in their frame. Almost got their frame full. After the frame is full they then have their choice of finds to add or trade from their frame and I take the rest home. I found a perfect oval quartz point that is in their frame I am hoping one day they will trade out. I have never shared the frame here.