................ Or, alternatively, I tend to knock then step back to give the person space. I am tall so I will often step down to ground level, off the steps. Smile, make your speal brief, down play finds, just looking for an old penny or nickle etc., emphasize that you will be very careful not to leave a mess on their property and or that this is a one shot deal. I often tell them that I will likely be gone in 10-15 minutes and not return if the yard is small. Dont dress like you slept on the river bank last night, fairly clean clothes at least. I play it by ear, if it is a VERY nice yard and the owner is 50/50 I will volunteer my name and were I am from. I have about 3-4 different styles that I use dependant upon the parameters presented to me. If someone gives me attitude or whatever, I thank them for their time and leave. Once in a blue moon you come a cross a "Silence of the Lambs" type. If my creep radar goes off I am out of there like yesterday. And I never give my name or whatever to someone giving off a creep vibe. There are too many other locations and cool people to spend time on garbage like that. If the yard really coughs some good stuff it might be a nice gesture to give the owner an old coin or whatever. I have kept in the good graces of a few farmers and I get to check their fields year after year. Permissions build up over time, nurture and take care of them by keeping in touch with the owner now and then and or respecting their property. And we all get no at any given request, don't let it get you down. More tend to say yes. I am opportunistic. If I see a freshly ripped up yard for sodding, a garden, big bare patches under old trees I will specificly request those spots. It tends to alleviate some peoples worries about their yard being messed with. Play it by ear and try to see it through their eyes a bit. Make them feel like you are a safe and reasonable person.
I do the same.
