Permission Granted: Gaining and Keeping Permission to Hunt

Permission Granted: Gaining and Keeping Permission to Hunt

By Troy Hoepker

When I think back on hunting so many different farms all over the place over the years the cherished memories of successful hunts, shared fun with hunting buddies, and witnessing nature’s inner world that is so rarely seen always come to mind. But as great as those things are, one of the things that has meant the most to me is the relationships that I’ve been able to build with landowners. I’ve been fortunate to create friendships with so many families along the way. Over the years I’ve had so many great visits with farmers out in a field or on their front porch and some have even welcomed me into their homes for a visit or for supper after a hunt not taking no for an answer. Without landowner’s gracious generosity so many of my most treasured hunts might have never taken place. I owe it all to them!

I’m lucky in a way. I still live in the area near the farm where I grew up. Today, I continue to hunt farms of different landowners that were neighbors and acquaintances of mine during the time I grew up. Some are family, others are friends, and many have literally known me since the time I was born. I realize that not everyone has that luxury, but I’ve also spent plenty of time asking permission from people that I didn’t know as well. Being passionate about predator hunting in particular requires lots of acres to hunt and I feel it’s enlightened me on how to approach people and how to handle the privilege of gaining permission to hunt their land. If you noticed, I used a very important word there and that word was privilege! When you gain permission you’re being trusted on your word, and your honor to treat the land, possessions and family with respect at all times. That trust is a privilege, not a right and should be treated as such.

It’s not always easy gaining permission in the first place. Especially when talking about deer hunting. Let’s face it, these days in Iowa it seems like every farm has someone who hunts deer on it. It doesn’t mean however that you still can’t have success finding some great places to hunt. Once you’ve found a nice looking place you’d like to hunt, you then have to track down the landowner. That can be done by using a plat book, which is available at any county courthouse or even some online pay for sites have listings of landowners. Talking to area farmers can usually point you in the right direction of which door to knock on too. Then it all comes down to meeting the landowner and that has to be done in the right way. If you pull into their driveway unannounced wearing camo with three of your hunting buddies what do you think the answer will be? You might still get a few yes answers, but more often than not it’ll be a no before you even hit the door. Don’t call a stranger and ask, show up at their door. It’s easier for them to say no over the phone and they want to see your face and meet and get to know you a little before considering giving you permission. Thoughtfully plan out how you’ll approach landowners for permission.

Farm owners are more likely to say yes when you come in advance of the season and don’t expect to hunt that day. It shows that you are polite and thoughtful. It’s okay to bring your spouse or kids. Wash your vehicle and wear normal, clean clothes that fit the situation, remember to smile and that a handshake accompanied by introducing yourself is always a good idea. All of these things show that you have respect for yourself and your own property and in turn will show the landowner that you will respect their property as well.

Get to the point fairly quickly but let the landowner dictate the conversation if they want to. If you notice a pasture full of fine looking Angus cattle, compliment them about them. Have a business card or your name and number written on a piece of paper in advance so you can give it to them. Let them know what you’d like to hunt, what the seasons are and give them some background information about yourself. Where you’re from, what you might do for a living, how many kids you might have, etc.

The quicker they associate with you the more at ease they’ll feel about you. If you have family in the area, mutual friends, or hunt a property down the road let them know. Sometimes if they know that their neighbor lets you hunt it reassures them that you might be trusted by them. If you want to hang treestands tell them of your intentions. Offer to help with some work around the farm in exchange for permission to hunt. If you’re good at fixing fence, cutting and splitting wood, etc. offer to come do some work for them. Let them know that you won’t drive anywhere on their property that they don’t want you to and certainly not when it’s wet out. Lastly tell them that you are more then willing to have a legal liability waiver form written up waiving them of any liability should there be an accident causing you personal injury on their property.

If it is fall or spring and you see that a farmer is in the field harvesting or planting keep on driving and come back another time. Be respectful of their busy times of year when time is money. Interrupting a farmer while they are in the middle of work is a surefire way of getting a fast no.

If the answer is no, accept it. Politely thank them for their time, hand them your name and number in case they should reconsider and wish them a pleasant day. Don’t hang around and badger them about it trying to change their mind. They have their reason for telling you no. Gaining hunting permission is much like buying a car. If one doesn’t work out, there are others. There are places all over that offer great hunting in Iowa. Move on to the next landowner. Gaining permission is work but the reward is well worth the effort.

If you are lucky enough to have your permission request granted there are a few things you’ll want ask and inform them of. Let them know what you’ll be driving so they’ll know it’s you when they see a vehicle parked on their property. Ask them where you should park and most certainly ask them if anyone else also has permission to hunt already.

You’ll have to be respectful of anyone else that also has permission and it’s a good idea to be in contact with that person. Just because you have permission doesn’t mean you’re the only one. Landowners hate conflict between hunters on their land. I’ve found that it’s best to handle hunting times and hunting areas with that other hunter. Ask if their land is rented out to another rancher or farmer. If so, ask them if you need to check with that individual before proceeding. You’ll find that a lot of farmers hate deer. Don’t be a horn hunter only.

Offer to shoot some does or any coyotes that you see if they would like and tell them that you will certainly share any venison with them should you be successful. Make sure that they know you are mindful of any livestock they may have and that you won’t shoot around their herds and will close any gates behind you. Ask them where they have a herd of cows. Also, if there are any property lines that you are unsure about ask them. The last thing you want is their neighbor complaining to them about their new hunter. If you would like to hunt with a partner, child or family member make sure that you have permission for them as well. Make sure what type of permission you have. Can you hunt anytime you’d like or do you need to call before each time that you hunt?

Over the years I’ve put in countless cows, picked up many tree limbs, fixed fence, notified landowners when a calf was being born, or notified them if I noticed something out of place. These are the things that let you keep that permission for the long term. If you have a successful hunt, show them or tell them. I have several landowners that are always intrigued about the wildlife that is on their farm. I’ll stop up at a farmhouse and show them the deer, pheasants, or coyotes that I’ve gotten. Some landowners don’t want to be bothered with such things. Get a feel for the personality of each landowner you hunt on.

I have some people that like to know when I’m there and I need to call before each hunt. There’s nothing wrong with that, after all it’s their land. But I’ve found that after time, once they begin to trust you often times they’ll eventually tell you that you don’t have to call any longer and you can just hunt whenever you’d like. Personally I like it best when I can choose from multiple properties to hunt on any given day based on wind direction. Standing permission is always best but we have to accept what we are given. I have landowners that are actually pleased when they see my pickup parked on their land and know that I’m there hunting. I get texts and phone calls asking if I had luck. Once you’ve gained permission to hunt somewhere don’t let yourself be a stranger to that person going forward just because you got what you wanted. Stay in touch with them. Let them know what you’re seeing out there, if you’ve had luck or any fun moments you’ve had.

Don’t be so busy that you don’t have time for a good visit every once and while. When you build a relationship with a landowner it’s not as easy for them to yank permission away from you down the road. But be mindful that times do change as well. I’ve hunted farms for years and watched other hunters come and go. Sometimes it’s a nephew or a grandchild that reaches a hunting age where they will begin to hunt as well. You have to respect that and if it means letting the property go then so be it.

One property often leads to another when you hunt the right way. I can’t count how many times I’ve gained permission on a neighboring farm because the landowner I was already hunting on hooked me up with another landowner. Just make sure that you have permission to name drop when asking another landowner nearby for permission to hunt. Sometimes you may have a feeling that you’ll not receive a yes answer from a landowner to deer hunt but that doesn’t mean it will always be a no. Ask them instead if you can trap or hunt a few coyotes in the winter. Many landowners are always wanting to remove nuisance critters and this can get your foot in the door with the landowner. After you receive permission continue to build a relationship with that landowner. After he or she sees how you handle your business and develops a trust in you, you might be surprised how quickly they offer to let you hunt deer.

I don’t deer hunt as often as I used to but when I did, I would have deer sausage and jerky made every year and then take a day to deliver it to many of my landowners. Some of those folks would really look forward to it every year. There are some that I have on occasion given a Christmas card with a gift card inside to a steakhouse or maybe the local gas station.

I’ve had landowners turn down others who have offered to lease their ground because they were loyal to me and the friendships we have built. If you are loyal to them, they will be loyal to you. Nothing ventured in life is nothing gained. Rejection is part of it but if you’re willing to knock on doors and be honest with yourself and the landowner you will have success. Hunting on a handshake is not as common as it used to be, but trust me it still exists. Above all if you respect the privilege, respect them and their property and stay in friendly communication you’ll find lifelong friendship, and lifelong places where you can make priceless hunting memories!