How do you go about door knocking for random farms? Do you small talk it up? Get straight to the point? What's your go to Lines? I've tried here and there and 9/10 I usually get a no unless there's some sort of connection
Quote from: djrcm7 on March 01, 2018, 10:38:25 PM
How do you go about door knocking for random farms? Do you small talk it up? Get straight to the point? What's your go to Lines? I've tried here and there and 9/10 I usually get a no unless there's some sort of connection
First thing I do is look them up on some property list and find out who they are and try to find a connection. Always get a name before knocking. No connection I just go straight to the point. I offer something in return. Always hope to walk up to the door and see beer bottles laying around or someone opens the door with a beer in their hand. Make some joke about buying them a 30 pack of their choosing and hope they bite.
First thing that I say is "I'm not interested in Deer hunting your property, just turkey hunt". That usually works for me as most around my area are just worried about deer.
No kidding about the beer bottles. Older farmhouses also seem to be much more likely to be receptive to allowing hunting than newer and well manicured places.
First off I never show up in camo, it puts many people on guard from the start. I wear a nice pair of jeans and a casual collared shirt or dressier T-shirt with no logos or pictures on it. I walk up, introduce myself using both my first and last name, stick my hand out to shake their hand, be sure to continue to look them in the eyes and be sure my handshake is firm but not crushing. I compliment their land in some way and lead the conversation that way.
I will then ask them if it would be alright to hunt their land and before my last car accident I would offer to come toss hay for the season if I see they have hay fields and if not ask if there is anything I can do to earn the privilege of using their land like driving a tractor around jobs there or even shoveling manure. Normally if you get past the asking and get to the offering help they will say yes.
Edit: One thing I forgot to mention, even if after that they say no still be polite, don't end the conversation right there. The reason I say this is I once had a guy say no to me and we kept on talking for about 10 minutes, I thanked him for his time and told him I was off to talk with somebody else. Well as I start walking away he called me back to him and I walked back and he looked at me and told me that I could hunt his land which really surprised me after our conversation. He told me he wanted to see how respectfully I treated him after saying no before he would give me permission because that would reflect how I would respect his property when I was hunting it and he was not around.
Quote from: Sir-diealot on March 02, 2018, 06:40:27 AM
First off I never show up in camo, it puts many people on guard from the start. I wear a nice pair of jeans and a casual collared shirt or dressier T-shirt with no logos or pictures on it. I walk up, introduce myself using both my first and last name, stick my hand out to shake their hand, be sure to continue to look them in the eyes and be sure my handshake is firm but not crushing. I compliment their land in some way and lead the conversation that way.
I will then ask them if it would be alright to hunt their land and before my last car accident I would offer to come toss hay for the season if I see they have hay fields and if not ask if there is anything I can do to earn the privilege of using their land like driving a tractor around jobs there or even shoveling manure. Normally if you get past the asking and get to the offering help they will say yes.
I may not be as polished as Sir die a lot but I can speak the lingo and once I get the conversation going it does not matter if they say yes or no because I am looking for leads. I speak a bit about farming and how difficult it is getting and then offer a cash incentive. Not directly but make the offer to include anyone in the community. You quickly get a feel for the conversation and an inside source as to where to focus your attention. Also consider speaking to realtor's. Anyone selling acreage is usually willing to allow hunting for a price. Been there done that. As for specific lines: just be yourself. If you are a clown be a clown. But it never hurts to know the price of pork bellies. So if there is a co op or farm store nearby stop in and speak with some of the help or a manager. You'd be surprised at the information you can get. Let us know how you do!
I try to get a name and or contact before knocking on a door. If you have a common friend it helps. I have a sheet with my name, address and phone number and vehicle info to give to them. It puts people at ease to know the people on their land. I try to connect with them personally, which isn't hard for most of us old timers. I offer to take them hunting or share the meat if I get one on their property. Most people react very well to this. I also offer trout and beef jerky also. In case you can't tell, I am an old fat guy. I rarely get turned down. I found that basic politeness, consideration and responsibility usually work. Good luck. Al Baker
All great information from what sounds like a lot of experience! I will be trying to knock on some doors in Kansas which is totally new ground for me and most likely no connections. I will have my fiancé with me so hoping that helps some. She doesn't know a stranger. Hoping that some small talk and offering to share any harvest will land us a spot for a week of hunting.
Depends on where at in KS. Out west may be easier but here money to hunt is becoming much more commonplace. People have been getting inundated by turkey hunters and are sick of it. Back in the day all it took was a handshake and I had more places than I could hunt. The leasing but arrived here in earnest 5 years ago and it seems like we have an outfitter behind every tree during turkey season. 2 years ago some guys from Arkansas started at Eldorado and worked east. They had zero luck knocking on doors. Not saying it can't be done especially in central and western KS since they aren't the first place every swing dick from south of th mason Dixon line stops.
I've seen that more recently that the locals aren't big fans of out of state hunters
down here in the south turkey hunting is as popular as deer , more so in some parts. Most of the private land is already leased for turkey rights. Wish we had more options like our brothers in the North. Me and another guy lease 1300 acres prime turkey land for 6k.
when you go to a farmers house to ask for permission you want to look like another farmer. worn out coveralls and a sweat soaked john deere hat. I guarantee your odds will go up. be sure to talk about corn......stressing that you don't want to deer hunt helps too. if that don't work get a grocery bag of mushrooms out of the truck and bingo
Some people are going to say no regardless. Some people let everyone who ask. It's the ones in the middle who you want to impress. Go looking like you care about the first impression. Clean clothes, comb your hair, don't wear a cap, collared shirt, tuck in your shirt tail. Another thing is I have showed up with a printed map and my phone on the ready with either Google maps or onXmaps open and showed the owner that I've done some homework and this seems to impress them.
Personally, I/we have had our best luck just going to the "eatery" where the locals hang out, especially in the little off-the-beaten-path places. We will always wear something that people will recognize us as being hunters, and just go in with a smile and a friendly hello to whoever looks our way. Quite often, there will be someone that asks what we are up to and we just start up a friendly conversation about turkey hunting.
That usually opens the door to asking if anybody knows any landowners that might allow turkey hunters to access their land,...and with the added offer of possibly paying an access fee and/or a "trophy fee" if a bird is taken. There is almost always someone that knows someone who has turkeys and would be willing to let us hunt,...sometimes with some monetary exchange (often quite reasonable),...and sometimes without.
We have often had someone start calling people to see if they would allow us to hunt. The key, as others have stated, is knowing how to present yourself in a friendly, courteous, and respectful manner to folks. People assess others pretty quickly by how they present themselves. Keeping a big smile on your face and knowing how to get people to loosen up really helps. Eliminating any signs of arrogance or "an attitude" is paramount,...and it doesn't hurt to have a general appearance that is in keeping with the local norms.
Those exchanges also generally eliminate a lot of wasted time doing the "door knocking" thing.
It's getting tougher and tougher to find land to hunt. I know they say we're losing hunter numbers but we're losing huntable habitat a heck of a lot faster
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More than anything is be respectful. Dad had me nocking on doors since I was 12, did a lot of traveling for goose hunting at the time (yup no turkeys to hunt here then) So I learned to ask and thank whether a yes or no was given. Of course Dad learned sending the kid up to the door was a pretty good way of getting permission too, hmmm still works.
MK M GOBL
I've done more door knocking in western and central Kansas than anywhere else, for both pheasant and turkey hunting and had good success. Good advice on presentation and manners above. We start with finding the birds first through scouting and then try to find the owner. It has been my experience that landowners particularly don't like big groups so I tell them right off that it is only two of us hunting. I also tell them that we will respect their land and pick up any litter we find. We had one landowner ask us to look out for game feeders on their property because someone was sneaking them on. We offered to haul it out if we found it. They were happy with that.
It can be real tricky to figure out who owns a particular section.The landowner directories from County-Wide have been real helpful in the past. They typically cover a county or two. These get updated every year and I've been able to get some past issues free from realtors in the area. You can cross reference the ownership maps with the address listings and phone numbers.
Straight to the point, a small gift of deer jerky (I'm famous for it ;D) with promise of more to come. IF I get permission I don't just remember them during hunting season and then forget them. Crappie filets from time to time also help a lot!
Just spent 45 mins talking to a local cattle farmer/ lumberjack and got permission to hunt 400 acres of prime habitat. We saw 7 jakes and 4 toms there yesterday. Politeness and my attitude got it for me and my daughter. Be nice, it usually works :smiley-patriotic-flagwaver-an
Here is an approach....If you have a skill or product you make take it along. This can be anything, even momma's preserves. If they say yes give them the gift as a thank you and have your name on a thank you card with phone and address. If they say no give it to them anyway and ask if you can maybe ask again next year, if not still give it to them and say thanks for your time. I make MAple Syrup and it has got me on some ground before. I once done this for three years on a pheasant farm and the third year the guy met me at the door and said you can hunt before I even spoke. I actually never even asked to hunt the second year, I just dropped off the syrup and said I know you like this so remember me if you ever change your mind.
Just be yourself and know that manners and politeness goes a long way. Going in open minded and understanding rejection may come more often than permission helps too. Don't become defensive if someone says no. I've had folks call back later (sometimes hours and others next year) due to the impression made and reconsidering after the fact.
It's pretty tough in MS unless there is some connection like family or friends. I drive a UPS truck and have gotten permission at a few customers places. Midwest is a different story. I can drive up blindly to any farm in Iowa and 8 out of 10 people will give me permission to turkey hunt. Deer hunting is a different story though. Most in the Iowa - Nebraska area care nothing about turkey hunting.
First off, I make sure that myself and my vehicle are clean... I do not wear my hunting clothes, and typically wear a polo shirt and khakis or nice jeans. This is not the time to wear your NRA hat or camouflage outfit... I have a smile on my face as I approach them, and do my best to appear confident and friendly.
I introduce myself (and state my profession as an eye doctor), and shake hands... I immediately apologize for disturbing them, and then let them know my purpose...
If I get a "friendly" no, I will often stick around and engage in small-talk if the landowner is so inclined (which they often are)... Make sure that the small-talk revolves around the land-owner and not yourself... As I leave, I thank them for their time, and inquire as to anyone that might let me hunt... All too often, the land-owner will then let me hunt one day... Other times, when I return the next year, they will relent and let me hunt...
I happen to have two young daughters that often accompany me, and two cute little girls waving from the back seat does not hurt my odds....
Once permission is acquired (even for one day), I make sure I write and mail a thank you letter (generally after the season, or after the hunt)... I also present them with a small gift and note at the time of the hunt... I also clean up any trash that probably does not belong there, and make sure any evidence I was there is positive.
I have never had a land-owner that allowed me only one day to hunt NOT extend that invitation to more days....
And, I never, ever take anyone else out without express permission to do so (including my own children as observers). And anyone I do get permission to take understands that they are coming as my guest and CANNOT return to hunt without me... I have lost permission to dove/quail hunt on a ranch due to a "buddy" taking his own family out to hunt...
I agree to be respectful, don't look like a dirtbag....or a yuppie but just normal folk. I have used my kids as an ice breaker "I want a safe place to teach my kids to hunt where I don't have to worry....". Shows them you have love for your family and are a thoughtful person (if you have kids). Other times I've gone right to the "I'm happy to only bow hunt so you don't have to worry about guns..."then after you earn trust ask about guns next season or two. I always offer to "keep an eye on their property" and carry a fencing tool to fix fences. I also mail them a gift card the next year along with a self addressed stamped envelope and a "written permission request for them to sign"
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I bring a few small gifts that are unique to the area I'm from. Also a few bottles of good bourbon if the landowner seems like the type to indulge. Introduce myself, ask a few questions about the land and the history and then get to the point. You can usually tell what the answer is going to be before you ask.
Drive an old beater.look like a poor, ignorant basterd,works every time.
Quote from: Bolandstrutters on March 05, 2018, 08:10:09 AM
I bring a few small gifts that are unique to the area I'm from. Also a few bottles of good bourbon if the landowner seems like the type to indulge. Introduce myself, ask a few questions about the land and the history and then get to the point. You can usually tell what the answer is going to be before you ask.
I don't give them anything.I look poor, I usually hunt by myself, in fact, I look sort of pathetic, and I usually get permission.Farms with fancy houses, will turn everybody down, unless you pay big bucks.It takes expierience, but you can develop a knack for talking to farmers, and finding plsce said to hunt. Driving a beater, farm truck helps.
Quote from: High plains drifter on March 11, 2018, 11:47:39 AM
Quote from: Bolandstrutters on March 05, 2018, 08:10:09 AM
I bring a few small gifts that are unique to the area I'm from. Also a few bottles of good bourbon if the landowner seems like the type to indulge. Introduce myself, ask a few questions about the land and the history and then get to the point. You can usually tell what the answer is going to be before you ask.
I don't give them anything.I look poor, I usually hunt by myself, in fact, I look sort of pathetic, and I usually get permission.Farms with fancy houses, will turn everybody down, unless you pay big bucks.It takes expierience, but you can develop a knack for talking to farmers, and finding plsce said to hunt. Driving a beater, farm truck helps.
Develop a knack for talking to farmers? Just be yourself: farmers are awesome people. I have talked with them for hours and the guy that taught me to hunt deer is extremely sharp. You play him and you will lose every time. No harm in learning what their interests are but make sure your up front and honest.
Quote from: mtns2hunt on March 11, 2018, 08:58:55 PM
Quote from: High plains drifter on March 11, 2018, 11:47:39 AM
Quote from: Bolandstrutters on March 05, 2018, 08:10:09 AM
I bring a few small gifts that are unique to the area I'm from. Also a few bottles of good bourbon if the landowner seems like the type to indulge. Introduce myself, ask a few questions about the land and the history and then get to the point. You can usually tell what the answer is going to be before you ask.
I don't give them anything.I look poor, I usually hunt by myself, in fact, I look sort of pathetic, and I usually get permission.Farms with fancy houses, will turn everybody down, unless you pay big bucks.It takes expierience, but you can develop a knack for talking to farmers, and finding plsce said to hunt. Driving a beater, farm truck helps.
. When I first started turkey hunting, I had no clue how to go about it.I drove a beater vehicle, and I knocked on doors.Over time, I started getting on some good ground, and you have to learn that over time.I would never wear a polo shirt, or offer more than a 6 pack of pbr. It takes several years to learn what type of ground holds birds, and lots of scouting, talking to people, listening ect.
Develop a knack for talking to farmers? Just be yourself: farmers are awesome people. I have talked with them for hours and the guy that taught me to hunt deer is extremely sharp. You play him and you will lose every time. No harm in learning what their interests are but make sure your up front and honest.
I just be myself. I dont show up at the door dressed any different than I normally do. I dont show up with anything in my hands trying to give them. I like to know their name before I walk up to the door I introduce myself and ask if I can turkey hunt,stress teh fact that Im not looking for deer hunting at all. If Im knocking on a door its 99% of the time looking for a place to take my 10 year old. I can get away from the masses on public ground or can deal with it if someone messes tings up, bu I dont like it for him.
Having a kid along makes a huge difference!! I got on some great places when my nephew was with me. I prefer private land, to public.All sorts of weird things happen on public land.