|
|
Post by jittnee on Oct 10, 2006 14:37:50 GMT -5
Being fairly new to hunting in Indiana, and not accustom to so little public land, I was wondering what the best way to approach a land owner about hunting on their property. Maybe some advice from those that have been successful in getting access to such land from someone they do not know, or from land owners themselves would be great to hear.
On a side note, I wanted to thank those that have given me some opportunities through this site to hunt some land. You all have been great, and good luck to everyone this season!
|
|
|
|
Post by bsutravis on Oct 10, 2006 15:05:48 GMT -5
Rule #1... Leave all the camo behind!!! You can dress casual, but don't look like you are ready to go kill something the second they say "yes". A camo hat at the most....
I look at it like I'm in a job interview... Speak politely, try to be considerate even if you get shot down... On the one piece of property I hunt in Hendricks County I originally was turned down, but after striking up some conversation the guy turned around and gave me permission to bow hunt only, which has now turned into all out rights to bow or gun hunt.
Keep at it!
|
|
|
|
Post by LawrenceCoBowhunter on Oct 10, 2006 15:34:24 GMT -5
I agree with what bsutravis said also..When I find some ground I would like to hunt,I start early,I never had much luck trying to get in some where when season was close or already in.I like to start after season or early spring.Keep it small at first.I hate coming right out and ask to deer hunt.I've had a lot of luck asking to go take photo on peoples propertry,I usually stop by on the way out and thank them again and so them the pics.Then I may stop and ask to small game hunt,and offer to do any work or something around the property(asking to bow hunt at first works too,alot of people don't care to hear guns going off behind there homes).I can't think of all the hay and fences I have help put up,but it's worth it.I always give them something at Christmas time to,usually a gift card for Texas Roadhouse or Tumbleweeds,they always have appreciated that.I have made some life long friends around here..Just be courtious and respectful,then who knows you may get a good place to hunt for several years.If you get shot down,keep knocking on doors.Good luck
|
|
|
|
Post by hunter7x on Oct 10, 2006 16:05:25 GMT -5
My original answer was going to be walk up holding out money or a lease !
I have successfully made up and used a deer hunting resume. List of references, all my accomplishments such as... scored a 100% on Hunter Education class on 8-9-88 or whatever, a copy of my lifetime license, make it look professional and present yourself as a professional or at least not a hick maybe somewhere in between.
|
|
|
|
Post by jittnee on Oct 10, 2006 19:38:43 GMT -5
Thanks for the input guys! I'll take the suggestions you have offered and see if I can get lucky!
|
|
|
|
Post by steiny on Oct 10, 2006 19:39:31 GMT -5
BSU has the right plan.
It's always worked for me too.
Now that I live out in the country and have gotten to know a bunch of the neighbors, most all of them will let me hunt, unless somebody else is already hunting their ground.
It's all about making relationships and friends. Might take a couple years.
|
|
|
|
Post by greenhunter5364 on Oct 10, 2006 19:43:44 GMT -5
I go out in June or July dressed casually (no camo) and have personal card in hand that I hand to the landowner as I introduce myself. I only ask to bowhunt. If the answer is no, I thank them and ask them to call me "collect" if they change their mind and decide they want me to thin out some deer for them. If I knock on 20 doors, I will usually get one or two peoplw the will give me permission. I do not bring a guest unless the landowner indicates it is OK and some have done so because it safer to hunt with a buddy.
|
|
|
|
Post by DEERTRACKS on Oct 11, 2006 6:10:07 GMT -5
Be polite, curtious, & casual dress. Use any known references & provide the landowner some idea of your hunting background & where you live. I always offer the landowner the tenderloins & backstraps if I score. Good luck.
|
|
|
|
Post by Old Ironsights on Oct 11, 2006 9:23:59 GMT -5
Coming from Alaska/WA/WY I'm in the same boat as jitnee, but have the added disadvantage of living up by the Lake in Chicago-burbia and relatively far from anyting I understand as Hunting Ground. (Have never hung/used a treestand in my life.)
Out West, when you want to go hunting, you go hunting (in season). You don't ever have to talk to anyone who's not going with you/watching your back.
What do you look for/where do you look for hunting land here? You have to know what to look for before you ask permission to use it.
|
|
|
|
Post by greenhunter5364 on Oct 11, 2006 21:41:14 GMT -5
You can go to the county court house and see the plat maps which tell you who owns what parcels of property in the county. Then you drive around and survey the terrain and usually the biggest parcels of land by road. Most of them have sufficient hardwood forest mixed in the crop fields to suit most hunters.
|
|
|
|
Post by Old Ironsights on Oct 11, 2006 21:57:50 GMT -5
Ok, then what? Remember, you're talking to a guy who has only seen treestands and Blinds in the Cabelas catalog...
|
|
|
|
Post by bsutravis on Oct 11, 2006 22:19:06 GMT -5
Ironsights.... My advice is to search the areas that you are comfy making the drive too... say within 45 minutes of your home. Up North you are probably looking at woodlots, rather than huges tracts of connected woods......UNLESS you are dealing with riverbank woods or river bottoms. Anyway, you find a wood lot......knock on doors or use the plat book to find the owner and then make your approach. I wouldn't get too caught up in finding the best looking spots.....cause let's face it......beggers can't be choosers! Take what properties you can get...if you get permission and find that the property doesn't hold deer or at least have deer passing through than keep looking for somewhere else. Chances are, if you find woods....they will have some deer in them or at least using them periodically. The wood lot that I have permission on is only about 10 acres, however it connects to a 40 acre plot....and it has several 10-20 acre plots of woods in all directions. Come the rut, the bucks just jump from one wood lot to the next.....constantly cruising for hot does. It's more important (IMO) to be out there trying, than worrying about the perfect woods or looking for that perfect funnel in the woods that you had to ask permission to hunt in the first place. Get some property and hunt it to the best of your abilities....... chances are it'll pay off for ya if you are patient. Good luck....
Oh, and if you have only seen tree stands in Cabelas.....I think a climber tree stand is the best option for you since you wont want to put up lock on or ladder stands and leave them on land that's not your own.....plus you will want the portability of a climber stand. I HIGHLY recommend a Summit Viper....excellent for bowhunting and gun hunting. Make sure your stand has a safety harness (not just a safety belt!)!!!! Get the stand and get familiar with climbing with it and sitting in it BEFORE you use it in a hunting situation.
You are in the right place......lots of great advice on here from folks that wont intentionally steer ya in the wrong direction.
|
|
|
|
Post by lugnutz on Oct 11, 2006 22:40:58 GMT -5
Don't forget to mention that you will not: bring others without prior permission; won't drive through the yard or the field, won't leave trash behind, won't damage the trees in any such way.
If liability is an issue, you can get the local court system to draw up an agreement for a nominal fee, that you'll gladly pay for.
Good luck!
Lug
|
|
|
|
Post by TagTeamHunter on Oct 11, 2006 22:47:27 GMT -5
On page 11 of the current Indiana Hunting Regulation Book there is a Private Land Premission Form that pretty much spells out that the land owner is not liable for the hunter.
|
|
