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Asking Permission to Access Public Land through Private?

Nutterbuster

Nutterbuster

Well-Known Member
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Joined
Oct 12, 2017
Messages
10,066
Location
Where the skys are so blue!
So the predominantly swampy WMA I hunt has a very nice section of high ground that is rather inconveniently situated. It's about a 300 yard walk on the other side of the road feok my mailbox, or a 5 mile boat ride. Private property is blocking legal access from the road.

One of my summer projects is going to be trying to get permission to access the property through a parcel of private. There are over 2 dozen properties that would grant me access. All I need is one "yes" and it opens up over 500 acres that i could access in maybe 10 minutes from my kitchen door, sans boat.

Has anybody had luck gettimg permission not to hunt, but to access public land through private? Most of the property is owned by out-of-towners (vacation homes on the river), and going door to door isnt really am option. Should I call or write a letter? Send a picture of myself? Offer to pay for access?

Completelyt new venture for me, any help is appreciated.
 
I’ve gotten a lot of private access simply by... walking up, knocking, introducing myself, and asking. Most farmer just appreciate the honesty of asking and the respect it takes to do so
 
Listening in because I have a similar situation. Walking in, in a north wind blows most of the place out. I walk like a mile to my tree. Parking on private and walking in I could be in the tree in 20 min and 100 yds walk.


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Because the homes are vacation homes, you may have an advantage. Offer to keep an eye on their place, cut their grass every other week, etc.

I wouldn’t offer to pay unless they’re hesitant. Once money is involved things can get weird.

I would lead with a phone call, ask them to consider allowing you to access, and let them know you would be happy to help around their place if needed. Or, go the organic route. Build a relationship, then when it comes up, ask. That’s a more long term approach, though.

On another note, I was wondering about the high ground you were on in some of your recent pics of the clearcut. Didn’t look like your typical swamp land. :)
 
Nutterbuster said:
Whatchu talkin' bout Willis? It's all nasty swamp with no deer out here. ;)
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Was driving by the farmers house and saw him out in the yard. Stopped to ask if he would lease his 10 acre tract. He immediately said no I don't lease my property to anyone rather blunt. But since you are nice enough to ask I will let you hunt it for FREE with a big smile on his face.

Another landowner was running a dozer clearing his land and I pulled over to ask if he would lease 62 acre clear cut all grown up too thick to hunt. He said I wont lease it but what if I just write you a permit to hunt it for free. Wow, you just never knoow till you ask. Nutterbuster I think you will do just fine. You will probably get surprised. Good luck. Was not getting access but being respectful goes a long way. WE also gave the land owner some fresh venison.
 
I don't have any experience in this, but I would suggest making it clear that you are just asking permission to walk through and not to hunt on their place.

Other suggestions provided above about offering to keep an eye on the place, mow grass, or offer anything else within reason that would be valuable to someone who isn't on their property regularly sounds good too.

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I have had success being personable. I approached a lady about a piece of her farm one time. The answer was no I said ok but we got to chatting and knew some of the same people and liked that I could explain why hunters do certain things. An hour later I got a yes.
I have no doubt @Nutterbuster you will be able schmooze yourself access. The suggestion of watching their place is good be careful not offer something you may not be able to deliver on. Ie I can't offer to cut lawns or clear drives for people regularly because my schedule is so messed up.
 
cb750 said:
I have had success being personable. I approached a lady about a piece of her farm one time. The answer was no I said ok but we got to chatting and knew some of the same people and liked that I could explain why hunters do certain things. An hour later I got a yes.
I have no doubt @Nutterbuster you will be able schmooze yourself access. The suggestion of watching their place is good be careful not offer something you may not be able to deliver on. Ie I can't offer to cut lawns or clear drives for people regularly because my schedule is so messed up.
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Lol, I did enjoy working in sales...

The trick is finding these folks, since they dont actually live here. I think I remember reading a sample letter in one of John Eberhart's books. May have to go that route.

My schedule is full, but since I live right there I think I could use "keeping an eye out" as a bargaining chip. Some of them live over an hour away according to Onyx tax address info, so I'm sure they'd be interested in beng able to call somebody when they heard the river was flooded or there was a storm for pics.
 
Just for private access to public land I would leave it at keeping an eye on the place. Unless we are in a major drought grass cutting is an every week job for about 8 months here.
 
Nutterbuster said:
Lol, I did enjoy working in sales...

The trick is finding these folks, since they dont actually live here. I think I remember reading a sample letter in one of John Eberhart's books. May have to go that route.

My schedule is full, but since I live right there I think I could use "keeping an eye out" as a bargaining chip. Some of them live over an hour away according to Onyx tax address info, so I'm sure they'd be interested in beng able to call somebody when they heard the river was flooded or there was a storm for pics.
Click to expand...

Did you ever get your hands on that sample letter? If so, any way you could post a picture of it? Several of the properties I would like to use as access to public are owned by out-of-staters.
 
Knockin on doors has worked for me. Even if I get shut down they often say “go ask so-and-so down the road” and it results in a yes
 
I have,there’s a farm next to a spot I hunt state land and when I asked he said sure.....So I stayed and helped with some chores and he said I could hunt the whole place!!Lol
 
If you can get a hold of 10 of them you should be able to get access. Just make it clear your intentions right off the bat and if you got any little kids/ niece/ nephew/ neighbors kid take them with you. Most people I get private access from I have to specify I will only be carrying a bow and arrow as well. Tell them how you'll be walking through their land and if you get something down give them some of the meat. The hardest part is knocking on the door
 
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