Permission to hunt?

[mastereagle22]

Hello. Anyone have any other ideas on getting permission to hunt on private property? I have a letter which I found on line and a liability waiver which I have been using. I have been finding out the names of the people who own the property and sending the letter rather than going up and ringing a doorbell and asking for permission. I have been very careful in who I ask. So far only 1 of 10 has said yes. Any help would be appreciated. I did get a state permit for he State Parks they allow here in Missouri, which turned out to be really easy!

 

[Dan-Pa.]

Don't recommend letters but ask in person cleanly shaven dressed in clean work clothes. As far as letters of liability aren't worth spit in any court and get the owner thinking about liability and its a no for sure..I generally wait till the evening till the husband is home as it seems to work best..Mentioning gold valuables and the like is also not recommended but a few old coins sounds better..Look for large vacant lots, big back yards as your odds increase..Simply going to the door and asking in person seems to work and many even have a extra detector for the landowner to try..Heck it doesn't hurt to ask as all they can say is no and if granted permission be neat and you may be invited back....Do expect rejection but if 10 percent say yes
you have 10 percent to hunt anyway...Some guys are just good at it and practice makes perfect so good luck...

 

[mastereagle22]

Thanks

 

[Scully]

You should always do a face to face and try to deal with the man of the family. Be polite, explain your method of recover, offer to return anything on personal level (have they ever lost keys, rings, etc.). Tell them you do no damage and remove all trash that you find. If they say "no", politely thank them and leave a calling card in case they ever need your "services" in the future. You may get a call back some day and once you do them a favor I can guarantee you they will let you hunt their lawn. I even had one lady who said "no", call me back to the front door before I ever reached my car, and she changed her mind and said it was OK. Not sure if the card and offer of free service did it, but for what ever reason, she did a 180 and allowed me to hunt the yard. You just never know so always be polite and professional.

 

[jabbo]

Finally, I drove up the long driveway of an 1846 farm house today, felt like an intruder. An elderly woman said she would tell her husband, when he comes home. Said her husband borrowed a detector and tried it, found scarps of metal. I said I use a knife to dig a plug which I neatly put back, and also they could choose to keep whatever they like. Gave her my home made card which has my name, adress, phone number, and a little about the hobby. I've done this three times before, was given permission every time. I'll have to say that it does take courage to enter private property and ask, but it is a whole lot easiser to ask when you're there at their garage sale.

 

[mastereagle22]

I did the same thing as you. I have been told no once and yes three times! One of the properties has a "slave shack" on it that has been there for as long as anyone can remember. It is barely there anymore mostly just a foundation and trees but I am still pumped about getting to go there with a buddy soon! It used to be part of a large farm here and now sits on a plot of 300 Acres. I also got permission to work the yard of an old church that was built in 1908!

 

[Byron_L]

...Bring extra detector (get them in on the fun, no telling where it will lead)

...ask during a garage sale ( I don't know why I didn't think of this, I love garage sales. A day when every stranger is welcome.)

...A "hobby" card offering emergency Detecting services. (That one just feels right.)


Asking permission was always my weakest point.

Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences. This forum is great!

Byron (in KY)