Permission question

[Ohio Digger]

For you guys that hunt primarily private property and farms what do you say when someone doesn't want you to hunt it because they are afraid you might get hurt? They don't want the liability. I asked a gentleman today who owns a vacant 1926 home if I could detect it. I believe there was a structure there prior to that that he isn't aware of, based on my 1874 map. He said something's bound to happen. I wasn't sure what to say to him.

 

[Altamaha]

For you guys that hunt primarily private property and farms what do you say when someone doesn't want you to hunt it because they are afraid you might get hurt? They don't want the liability. I asked a gentleman today who owns a vacant 1926 home if I could detect it. I believe there was a structure there prior to that that he isn't aware of, based on my 1874 map. He said something's bound to happen. I wasn't sure what to say to him.

That's a tough one Ohio Digger:

I've had that reason given quite a few times by property owners for not giving permission. People are so sue happy these days that many property owners just don't want to risk being liable in case of injury. I even tried making up a liability waiver form which I've presented/offered to sign for these types of property owners with limited success. Plus legally even though they might give certain property owners some comfort, according to a lawyer friend of mine in case of a law suite they won't really hold up in court as far as protecting the property owner. Savvy property owners are aware of this. Yep this is a really tough one.

 

[Goes4ever]

in a case like this, I just thank the owner, and walk away, there are hundreds of old houses out there, do not get hung up on one place.....more than likely if it is abandoned someone just stopped and detected it w/o permission anyhow, happens all the time

 

[Ohio Digger]

Ok thanks Terry. I was having pretty good success asking permission until this one. Kind of bursts your bubble. I basically did what you said and just thanked him and mentioned if he changed his mind to call me. Maybe he'll get interested now that the seed is in his mind, or he's already forgot about it lol. I'm hoping to hit a soy bean field once they cut it. It had an old school house on it on my 1874 map. I can't seem to catch the owner though. Trying again tomorrow. Thanks again for the info.

 

[Goes4ever]

I can count on one hand how many farmers have told me no for fields, at least around here farmers are just nice people, and you cannot hurt a field. Keep asking farmers for field permission, I think you will have good luck!

 

[Prep1957]

I never hunt farm houses that are occupied.I start by telling them that I am not a salesman and I hunt for lost coins and will not exceed 1 foot of depth,I never hunt in planted fields or standing crop.I am just lining up locations for early spring or late fall in this area and do not feel bad if you turn me down I am just lining up locations.I will be hunting alone.I am not asking your permission "per say" to hunt,I am asking that you do not kick me off or call the law after me.That way in no way anyone will responsible for me or my actions since by all rights I am breaking the law..I also do this for hunting and fishing have had great luck.When you are hunting that location do not be surprised if the landowner drives up and asks if you have permission,your reply should be "no I do not" and I usually reply you do not happen to know the owner do you?This is the way we have to do things in the communist state of Illinois.Happy Hunting.

 

[Altamaha]

I can count on one hand how many farmers have told me no for fields, at least around here farmers are just nice people, and you cannot hurt a field. Keep asking farmers for field permission, I think you will have good luck!

I agree with you Goes4ever farmers are generally very friendly and very good about giving permission to hunt their fields & even their yards. As a matter of fact my hunting partner and I have about a 95% success rate with them and have made many friends. It all depends on your location. Around where I live up in the Hudson Valley about 70 miles North of NYC, recently in the last 10 - 15 years there has been a big influx of people from NYC buying up old farms and they are a totally different breed. We can usually tell as soon as someone comes to the door at an old farm if they are native to the area or a more recent transplant. These are the main ones that we have trouble getting permission from and I guess that's understandable.

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

I always make it very clear to the property owner, that I will not go inside his abandoned house or other out buildings.
I make sure that owner understands that I just want to hunt the yard.
This really helps with the liability issue.

 

[Ohio Digger]

I should have probably been more clear but I'd say its not really abandoned as much as it is vacant. It's still maintained but no one has used it in the last 7-8 years. I remember there was a craft shop that used it last. It's on our main strip through town and has a ton of drive by traffic. The woods behind it is actually owned by the park so I may wander around back there over the winter and see if I come up with anything. The guy that owns it has about 15 properties on the auditor website. He's more of a businessman than he is interested in any history but to each their own. I respect his decision.