How to Gain Permission?

[BCSMark]

Hi guys, I have eyes on a few properties in the area that seem very likely to have artifacts. These are privately owned.
My question is, how do yall go about gaining permission? These properties are either uninhabited or have locked gates, and so a knock on the door isn’t an option.
From tax information I have addresses available, and I am considering sending a letter.
How do yall go about wording things? Especially because I’m not just interested in surface hunting but hand digging as well.
Looking for some guidance and advice. Thanks!

 

[CreekSide]

Not so easy to obtain permission now days. The pandemic ruined people’s perception on too people walking their property. I lost many properties and have never regained permission since. I have a few left I can walk but all the fields are 100% no til so there goes around 500 acres. I still have some creeks I’m allowed in but they are drying up for finds. I walked a different field last year but when I called for this year it was a no. It’s scary going up to strangers homes and asking permission especially if the homes look rundown . I have one I want to ask but the door faces opposite from the road and faces the thick brush. I’m a big guy and usually carry but nobody will open a door to anyone with a gun and if I don’t carry how do I know I might never see the sun again. The house across the street doesn’t look any better. So good luck

 

[BCSMark]

Ahh exactly what I was expecting 😂. I know what you mean about approaching doorways. I’ve had a couple sketchy experiences related to that. Well here’s to trying I guess.

 

[invent4hir]

While "door knocking" works best for me - that isn't an option here. From the tax info you know the owner's name and mailing address so look them up on fastpeoplesearch or similar website and get their phone #s & email addresses (note: sometimes they are outdated/no longer in service). If your phone calls and/or emails go unanswered, consider mailing a request letter & get a tracking # so you know when its delivered. Then wait. If still no answer then look elsewhere until that property changes hands. Over the years I've got about 80% approval using all available methods - but there are always a few that refuse. Good luck!

 

[BCSMark]

Thanks for the reply. Is there anything in particular you say that you’ve found works better than other things? Do you try to come off as more professional, or more like just a casual hobby? Are their words you avoid using?
What I am thinking about when I ask that, is do you just say something like “I am interested in looking for arrowheads” or “I am interested in looking for Indian artifacts”. I’m considering the different connotations words may have. If artifact receives a reaction similar to “keep your hands off of those” compared to looking for “arrowheads”.
Hope that makes some sense. There’s an aspect of it too I’m sure is being over thought.

 

[russau]

I always thought to show to be dressed in a clean ,professional manner & clean cut ! And never bring your tools /Md / or carry lots of stuff to give away your intentions before you even get to the door! It may also be a good idea to have a (2) contracts (one for the land owner and a copy for yourself that your willing to abide by. On that contract have all the details listed and stating that you'll fill all holes /close any gate that you open and NOT destroy and fences or building structures or for darn sure don't shot ANY GAME ? CATTLE ? BUILDINGS OR PEOPLE ! Most land owners don't want you to be carrying weapons on their land for the land owners safety and their live stocks ! and FORGET about trying to sneak something out ! That will most defiantly start a war ! and above all , if he turns you down (most will ) make sure you thank him for the opportunity to talk to him and leave without arguing about it ! He may ease off the next time you see him ! In small towns , most farmers /land owners like to go to town for coffee and local gossip with other farmers . If your in town about then say hi to them and maybe ask one of them if they know of any farmer / land owner that MIGHT be willing to at least talk to you about M.D. ing / prospecting in / on their land ! always be smart and polite and say thank you for their time and leave it at that ! maybe even buy a round of coffee ! He might tell another friend about you and they'll at least think about it! Make mine black and 1 lump of sugar , PLEASE /THANK YOU !

 

[Bamasteve]

Had an interesting situation this last weekend, was detecting a local park and noticed a couple of people on the porch of an older looking house that looked very inviting.
Took a few minutes to cool off and clean up a little and decided to approach about hitting the edges of their property.
Left all of the gear in the truck and headed over, I should probably state here that I’m a middle aged Southern white guy up here in southern Indiana which I’ve found to be pretty liberal and just a bit off putting.
They were understandably skeptical that some redneck would approach their front porch, but smiling and laying on the “Southern Charm” I was able to talk them into letting me detect the outer edges of their property with the knowledge that anything found would be turned over to them for final disposition.
After a walk around the property I returned with meager finds in hand to find the parents had left their twenty something daughter to keep an eye on the redneck, she and I hit it off after I showed her the couple of memorial Pennie’s, matchbox car and normal bottle caps and can slaw.
This was the first approach I’ve made and it turned out to be a pretty cool experience hopefully for everyone involved.

All that to say “You never know till you ask”

 

[pepperj]

Hi guys, I have eyes on a few properties in the area that seem very likely to have artifacts. These are privately owned.
My question is, how do yall go about gaining permission? These properties are either uninhabited or have locked gates, and so a knock on the door isn’t an option.
From tax information I have addresses available, and I am considering sending a letter.
How do yall go about wording things? Especially because I’m not just interested in surface hunting but hand digging as well.
Looking for some guidance and advice. Thanks!

If there's a potential site/field and the gate is locked.
Just go to the next biggest farm, and ask if they know who owns it.
I seem to get lots of permissions to detect and to walk the lands. (15-20K acres)

I knock, step down off the step, ask, tell them the reason why.
I compliment them on their operation, no matter what it looks like.
Find a common theme, it's not hard really.

Detecting might be a bit different than searching for points. But it's still gaining the trust of landowners.
I sometimes ask them if they've found any arrowheads.
The big thing is to name drop also, as I've obtained many permissions by just mentioning another person's name.

I've had folks say "Well if he allowed you, that's good enough for me" Fill your boots.

 

[Tnmountains]

Ask neighbors if they know how to reach them. Be very respectful and the neighbor might call for you as you wait. I would never discuss digging until a relationship is established. Be honest. I used to say if I stepped on one crop plant I would pay for the whole crop. It worked and I did not walk on any crops.
Some fields I could only hunt certain times so others did not see me and ask.

 

[ToddsPoint]

Around here many farms have absentee owners. It’s the guy who actually farms the ground that usually has control of hunters. One of my secrets is to take my attractive wife with me when I contact them. It never fails!🤣 I like to catch the farmers when they are outside working instead of knocking. Never contact them by phone. It’s too easy to say no over the phone.

 

[CreekSide]

I did use to trade when asking for permission. Look to see if they have farm animals and think of ways you can trade for permission. You never want to offer cash to walk their property. I can get free buckets from my work place. I also can make a nice walking stick or staff. I tell them what I like to collect then ask them what they like to collect and hope it isn’t out of my price range. If it’s a big stretch along a busy road I will carry trash bags and offer to pick up the trash along the property. That works sometimes. But first you have to knock which is the hardest part. I always try not to knock real early maybe around 11 am right after breakfast and just before lunch. Farmers like to eat and take a nap if it’s hot outside before returning to work. I don’t approach them while they are working unless I already know them. Sometimes name dropping works sometimes it doesn’t

 

[russau]

Around here many farms have absentee owners. It’s the guy who actually farms the ground that usually has control of hunters. One of my secrets is to take my attractive wife with me when I contact them. It never fails!🤣 I like to catch the farmers when they are outside working instead of knocking. Never contact them by phone. It’s too easy to say no over the phone.

SO TRUE !

 

[russau]

I did use to trade when asking for permission. Look to see if they have farm animals and think of ways you can trade for permission. You never want to offer cash to walk their property. I can get free buckets from my work place. I also can make a nice walking stick or staff. I tell them what I like to collect then ask them what they like to collect and hope it isn’t out of my price range. If it’s a big stretch along a busy road I will carry trash bags and offer to pick up the trash along the property. That works sometimes. But first you have to knock which is the hardest part. I always try not to knock real early maybe around 11 am right after breakfast and just before lunch. Farmers like to eat and take a nap if it’s hot outside before returning to work. I don’t approach them while they are working unless I already know them. Sometimes name dropping works sometimes it doesn’t

I agree 100% with the trash bag approach ! Our GPAA club had that policy when out on a outing . And we made a point of it being displayed in a prominent Location to where we were working incase anyone asked what we were doing ! And always be polite when asked a question wither it's Just be nice !

 

[CreekSide]

I agree 100% with the trash bag approach ! Our GPAA club had that policy when out on an outing . And we made a point of it being displayed in a prominent Location to where we were working incase anyone asked what we were doing ! And always be polite when asked a question wither it's Just be nice !

It’s always good to let the owners watch you right after permission approval.

 

[Lone Star]

Hi guys, I have eyes on a few properties in the area that seem very likely to have artifacts. These are privately owned.
My question is, how do yall go about gaining permission? These properties are either uninhabited or have locked gates, and so a knock on the door isn’t an option.
From tax information I have addresses available, and I am considering sending a letter.
How do yall go about wording things? Especially because I’m not just interested in surface hunting but hand digging as well.
Looking for some guidance and advice. Thanks!

The absolute best thing to do is go on some pay digs. The Texas Hill country has about 12 going on. You will get to hob nob with new people and find new places to explore.