Gaining permissions.

[_CTAIRGUNNER_]

I have a pretty permanent night permission for rats, I also have a few time a year permission for pigeons and starlings but these were through word of mouth/business acquaintances, I am really wanting to add a semi regular day permission to my schedule. I love target shooting, relaxing, enjoying the fresh air but I really really love enjoying that farm air, the noises, and doing a deed for farmers. Theyre often not appreciated like they should be. This is not only a way for me to show appreciation but have a ton of fun as well and hone my skills.

I plan on taking 2-3 days off at the end of the month to drive around to some farms to try and get my way in, I know how to speak to people , I am cordial, polite, greetings of the day so on and so forth. These things were more or less beaten into me at a few different times of my life and IMO are very important ALWAYS. My issue is , I cannot for the life of me figure out the proper wording that will not offend them , I mean, who wants to hear a stranger talking about potential/existing pests and then have that stranger ask for immediate trust to shoot on their property. I know to practice safety for livestock, people, and property first.

I was planning on bringing my Evol mini along, some cardboard boxes with targets on them, range finder, and show them these are not toys and are surgical tools and great in the right hands.

It really is the wording and initial ice breaker that is driving me mad, I do not want to offend and I would prefer success.

 

[maxtrouble]

Bring a low powered pistol for indoor work on starlings and pigeons inside barns and silos?

 

[rcarlisle]

This might be a long way around, but I think I'd get friendly with an exterminator. My brother (who happens to be in western CT) works in the extermination business and handles all kinds of interesting properties, like farms and ranches. Some might be interested in having pests shot if it were presented as an option from their trusted pest-control advisor.

 

[beerthief]

find where the farmers gather for AM or PM coffee , lunch ? talk casually with them . Ask what they do for the problem and stress that you clean up the bodies

 

[beerthief]

Not to far from me there is a livestock sales place, it has a cafe next door that the ranchers hang out at on sale day , has a great breakfast (yum )

 

[madeintheuk]

This might be a long way around, but I think I'd get friendly with an exterminator. My brother (who happens to be in western CT) works in the extermination business and handles all kinds of interesting properties, like farms and ranches. Some might be interested in having pests shot if it were presented as an option from their trusted pest-control advisor.

Who’s your brother? Would love to meet him! I’m also in western CT.

 

[Vetmx]

It’s tricky. The farmers I know have been beaten to death with people wanting to gain access to their land to kill stuff. Oh yeah, they claim many things, offer meat products from their harvests or try to sell their desire to kill things as a service, but farmers know what’s up. I hear quite a few comical stories a year. Especially from my neighbor who farms. Bottom line, they are either going to like you or not the second they meet you. I don’t purposely go seeking hunting spots. I just seize opportunities. Once in a while I go down the road to another guys barn to shoot rats and stuff. I was originally there with my buddy buying corn when I asked if he had a rat problem. He said he had more problems than just rats. I told him I like to shoot those problems at my neighbor Teds place with my pellet gun. And no, I didn’t show off my $5,000 gun and brag how awesome it is. Just left it as a harmless little pellet gun. You have to be careful. You are going to be shooting around their animals and property. With most airguns, you might as well be standing there showing the guy an AR15. Immediately it makes them uneasy because of how they look.

 

[_CTAIRGUNNER_]

It’s tricky. The farmers I know have been beaten to death with people wanting to gain access to their land to kill stuff. Oh yeah, they claim many things, offer meat products from their harvests or try to sell their desire to kill things as a service, but farmers know what’s up. I hear quite a few comical stories a year. Especially from my neighbor who farms. Bottom line, they are either going to like you or not the second they meet you. I don’t purposely go seeking hunting spots. I just seize opportunities. Once in a while I go down the road to another guys barn to shoot rats and stuff. I was originally there with my buddy buying corn when I asked if he had a rat problem. He said he had more problems than just rats. I told him I like to shoot those problems at my neighbor Teds place with my pellet gun. And no, I didn’t show off my $5,000 gun and brag how awesome it is. Just left it as a harmless little pellet gun. You have to be careful. You are going to be shooting around their animals and property. With most airguns, you might as well be standing there showing the guy an AR15. Immediately it makes them uneasy because of how they look.

And this is exactly my hesitation, im not some young gun hot shot. I know how easily what I am asking for could be viewed as sacrilege. The argument of "showing off the 5000 dollar gun" could be made from both sides. People hire on appearance, proper tools are part of that appearance, to not over state is key I believe, I surely wouldn't hire someone to tow a lambo whos using a 2000 Tundra and home built trailer, both falling apart and rotted.

Livestock, people, and property first...

 

[beerthief]

It’s tricky. The farmers I know have been beaten to death with people wanting to gain access to their land to kill stuff. Oh yeah, they claim many things, offer meat products from their harvests or try to sell their desire to kill things as a service, but farmers know what’s up. I hear quite a few comical stories a year. Especially from my neighbor who farms. Bottom line, they are either going to like you or not the second they meet you. I don’t purposely go seeking hunting spots. I just seize opportunities. Once in a while I go down the road to another guys barn to shoot rats and stuff. I was originally there with my buddy buying corn when I asked if he had a rat problem. He said he had more problems than just rats. I told him I like to shoot those problems at my neighbor Teds place with my pellet gun. And no, I didn’t show off my $5,000 gun and brag how awesome it is. Just left it as a harmless little pellet gun. You have to be careful. You are going to be shooting around their animals and property. With most airguns, you might as well be standing there showing the guy an AR15. Immediately it makes them uneasy because of how they look.

"uneasy because of how they look." this is exactly why i do not like the new air gun style pipe with appendages Makes an air gun look like a weapon of war . not a fun way to relax or hunt .

 

[_CTAIRGUNNER_]

These are all good points and tips and appreciated as well

 

[Vetmx]

And this is exactly my hesitation, im not some young gun hot shot. I know how easily what I am asking for could be viewed as sacrilege. The argument of "showing off the 5000 dollar gun" could be made from both sides. People hire on appearance, proper tools are part of that appearance, to not over state is key I believe, I surely wouldn't hire someone to tow a lambo whos using a 2000 Tundra and home built trailer, both falling apart and rotted.

Livestock, people, and property first...

Towing cars and weapons are two different things. I don’t need advice on how to obtain hunting spots. So I was just telling you what works for me. I think one of the most important parts I was eluding to was the approach. Guys out looking for hunting grounds, or permissions if we want to pretend we live across the pond, come across differently to a farmer than the guy who has a non hunting related encounter with a farmer, then brings up hunting for pests.

 

[_CTAIRGUNNER_]

Towing cars and weapons are two different things. I don’t need advice on how to obtain hunting spots. So I was just telling you what works for me. I think one of the most important parts I was eluding to was the approach. Guys out looking for hunting grounds, or permissions if we want to pretend we live across the pond, come across differently to a farmer than the guy who has a non hunting related encounter with a farmer, then brings up hunting for pests.

Roger that, good point. Thank you!

 

[Jasonmc]

I can tell ya as a landowner of a farm it is a slippery slope when one tries to get permission to hunt... The world isn't like it once was. It hard to trust people anymore. But I can tell ya this... An older fella has a way better chance than a young man.. trust me... they'll know in the first couple of minutes of a conversation if you gonna be in or out. Just be yourself you'll be fine..
But definitely show him your rifle... Be honest of it's power.. you don't have to mention the price... When you say it's an expensive hobby that you enjoy will be good enough.. farmers talk... If you in good with him...you have a good chance of other places... Good luck

 

[woogie_man]

Agree... Just be yourself and don't try to "peacock" to much. I have had more than a few farmers chuckle when I told them I would be shooting a pellet gun. I will typically joke back that these are not the Red Ryder bb guns we grew up with. Then they will typically want to see the "bb gun" and of course offer to let them shoot it. They will realize that they are far more accurate and capable than what they think of a "bb gun"

Though I typically have an ACE up my sleeve as well, my son will typically be in tail behind me a little bit. If the farmers ask I plainly tell them that he is wanting to learn how to hunt properly and I want to be the one to teach him. Typically most people will see that you are trying to bring new blood into the hunting family and will typically give you a small section to start on.

There is always the option to offer a hand on the farm if they need help. Help out a few weekends around the farm and the farmer will know your values quickly.

 

[Bigragu]

Years and years ago I met these two lady neighbors at my mailbox. They were from the Bay Area and knew nothing about country living. As we became friends we started talking about pond critters, and she asked me if I had muskrats. I told them I dispatch those as they damage pond sides with their burrowing. They had a few, and asked what I used to dispatch them.

I had my trusty Beeman RX in 20 caliber. I also let them know those muskrats are keen to when they are being hunted and disappear the minute they spot you. They asked me to come over and shoot them.

I showed up dressed in camo and had a camo face net that hid inside my camo baseball cap, and when I found a spot to sit and stalk out came the face cover.

I remember (this was in 2002) popping one, and later on they told me they had more, but never asked for my services again. Over the years they’ve “jokingly” commented on me showing up in camo, enough times to make me realize I probably frightened them. We’re still friends to this day.

My point being, you can take one guy on the opposite spectrum, a guy that shows up with a clunker that leaks oil and exhausts white smoke, doesn’t care about his appearance, foul language, and equipment all rigged up, and think no way I’m having this guy back.

Or, on the opposite end a guy that shows up thats serious about his pesting, has the top gear and top scopes(night vision), and even his sling is top tier. Everything about this guy is methodical, and the minute the truck shows up and ignition turns off, away go the smiles. All business.

Both of these types can make folks leery, and both of these types can never be called again. It all depends on the land owner snd how your personalities clash.

There’s a famous rattlesnake exterminator here in my area- Ramirez rattlesnake removal. A good friend of mine just moved out here on 7 acres and calls on this guy. Long story short, he was very arrogant, and because the time of year only meant small snakes not gargantuan ones, he tells her he’s too busy taking care of “real” rattlers and to call on him later in the year.

She’s not gonna call him, even if he is the best. That guy instantly lost all business with her.

I like VETMX’s approach, where pesting is mentioned in casual conversation with no signs of outright asking the owner to hunt his land. It’s as if he doesn’t need to do that service. If the land owner is interested, then he’ll ask him to come take care of the problem.

 

[_CTAIRGUNNER_]

@Bigragu and @Vetmx , I agree with both of you, where the "permission" is granted in passing convo rather than all business all serious direct approach.

I don't need to portray who I am or what I look like other than I know how to treat people with respect (this is in regards to smokey clunker vs all business guy comment).

I unfortunately have a lot of life things going on so I cannot unfortunately wait around in pubs or diners like the days of old .... I live in the country but it is still Connecticut, its a "little" different here than south or west.

With that said, I will just have to take my stabs and see what goes from there.

 

[woogie_man]

I have had some luck posting on facebook marketplace and things like that. I also have a few rc airplanes that I will fly in open fields. That has gotten me a few permissions over the years, as that conversation started and went from there. I had one guy that was watching a monitor as I flew around and after telling me where his place was, around 4 miles down the road, I turned the plane and flew towards his house. Following the river and showing him where his fields were, where deer were playing in pockets in the woods, and just casual flying. He was intrigued and enjoyed it so much that I have flown for him a few times getting video of his land when the river flooded as well as getting videos for him while he is harvesting.

Just talk to them about things other than hunting. If they think you are ONLY there to hunt that may turn them off and shut down right away. A casual conversation can help grease wheels as well.

 

[Vetmx]

I forgot to mention frequency. All the places I hunt that are someone else’s property, I like to get a feel for how to not wear out my welcome. Like the barn rat guy. He wants them gone but I have a feeling if I was always down there, he wouldn’t like it. It’s within walking distance of my house so I have to control myself. As a land owner in two states myself, I’ve let the guy with the “kid” hunt but they wore out their welcome in short order. They practically lived there. They didn’t do anything wrong. They just did it too much.

 

[Jasonmc]

I forgot to mention frequency. All the places I hunt that are someone else’s property, I like to get a feel for how to not wear out my welcome. Like the barn rat guy. He wants them gone but I have a feeling if I was always down there, he wouldn’t like it. It’s within walking distance of my house so I have to control myself. As a land owner in two states myself, I’ve let the guy with the “kid” hunt but they wore out their welcome in short order. They practically lived there. They didn’t do anything wrong. They just did it too much.

Very valid point... Definitely do not wear out your welcome..!!

 

[Bigragu]

People like their privacy. It’s part of the reason they move out to the country. Having someone over once in awhile isn’t bad, but weekly I can see that being a nuisance after awhile