Friendly reminder

[sabmgb]

for those of us that don't own our own land and have the privilege of having permission to hunt private land. Don't forget to be thankful and gracious to the land owner. I ask permission ever year, even though they say I don't have to anymore. I bake pies, cookies, bring homemade jellies, fish. I have offered to help around the farm and offered to drive them to the doctors. I also will just stop in for a coffee once and awhile for a chat. Maybe I go over board, but I enjoy it and I believe they do as well, its no longer to just get permission. Now when others ask to hunt their property they say only family hunts it.

it all helps and you can make great friends as well

[Fisherman]

Like they say it's takes 2 hands to wash them, always a great gesture. Can make the difference. Bouquet of flowers for the owners wife. Years ago I used to take the dutch farmers family smoked salmon, needless to say, they rolled out the welcome mat for me.

[Fishnhunt]

Obviously what you are doing is working really well.

You can buy all the gear in the world but if you dont have a place to hunt you are not hunting.

[Limacharley]

You're very lucky sabmgb.

I was looking for such an arrangement on the east side of lake Simcoe up along Hwy 12. I even posted many flyers in grocery stores and pharmacies in various small towns.

Never got a nibble.

Willing to trade my labor for the occasional hunting opportunity.
Only turkey hunting.

[sabmgb]

limacharley, none of my business, but I personally believe in the personal touch. I would find out who owns the property you are looking at and go talk to them in person. I have been very lucky doing this and haven't even gotten a NO. Well not exactly where I hunt now the I drove into the farm lot by the barns where I saw 2 guys standing one morning coming back from turkey hunting a property my niece own once upon a time an hour and half away. I was in hunting close and my son was sleeping in front seat, I normally would not ask in hunting clothes. I asked if they owned the bush at back of property and they said yes, why. I asked to hunt and they said NO. I was polite and thanked them for their time. They started to explain why so we got into a friendly conversation for the next your. They started to ask me questions about where I lived and where i was hunting. I knew right than that I was in. we kept talking for another half hour and pointed out my son in the truck. They finally said OK but only this year and I'd have to ask again the next year. that was 12 years ago and I still ask every year.

So moral of story is, try and dress casual, be polite and if NO, and don't tell you to leave, start asking why have you had a problem, and keep them talking. they may change their mind if they believe you are honest and sincere. I never mentioned that I'd bring baked goods as didn't want to sound like I was trying to bribe them. I got the phone number and called to check the place out. When I showed up that day the farmer had UTV out and told me to get in and drove me around 2 bushes I didn't even know I was asking to hunt and gave me tips where to hunt. So after 12 years I have 4 spots to hunt on their properties as they keep buying new farmers and telling me where the birds are hanging out.

So good luck and get out there and knock on some doors. If not the right door, they might tell you where the farmer lives or points that way which was what happened for me, woman pointed to the next conssion so i drove down that way.

[Limacharley]

Thanks for the tips sabmgb.

I was reluctant to enter someone's farm. Farmers are very private. They tend to dislike outsiders and the government LoL. I use to help a buddy of mine with farm chores down in Lambton county.

Didn't want a confrontation with a dog or someone pointing a gun at me.

I may have to just knock on some doors and see.