How to ask for permission to hunt

[Swingbeepdig]

How does one go about mustarding your guts and knocking on a property door asking for permission?

I have gps many locations as I drive around looking but im such a chicken to ask.

Maybe its a fear of rejection or that maybe its just me.

Hows does one present themselves as a stranger?

Any info would be useful

 

[Boydman]

Once you do it the first time its not so bad. The most important thing is dont bs people. Tell them your name, where your from, that you metal detect and would like to hunt their yard,property,field. Most people are easy going and say yes. I always tell them some of the history of what im hunting and some Civil War history about the area and offer to give them a bullet or two if I find some. I have also had people say yes but follow me around and pull stuff out of the hole before I can see what I have. If that happens pack up and go somewhere else. I know you nervous but that is part of finding places to hunt, and the more you do it the more options you have. Hope this helped you some.

 

[SE-5]

Kinda made me feel like a door to door salesman.... not a big fan of it. City people are not as open to it as folks back in Indiana where I am from.

 

[fongu]

I always get their address and send them a short letter explaining who I am and what I am trying to do and stress that I fill in my holes. When I first started out asking people cold, I got lots of no answers from people. A simple, courteous note works for me most of the time and if they call the number I give them I usually get permission. I also give some references in the community, so they can check me out. I get permission about 80-90 % of the time and the problem I have is getting to all the sites I have permission to hunt with my bad back.

 

[nwdetectorist]

Permission Letter Format

Hi Swingbeepdig,

I have tried sending permission letters before without any luck.
I have had a few folks verbally (when I am out hunting parking strips in older parts of town) invite me into their yards
--- usually older folks, who are more trusting and not as taken with themselves.
Of course, I live in a larger city --- where to many folks seem to be more selfish and distrusting.

I plan to send a second letter to the owner of a very promising site.
Maybe this time around.

Here is a link to the suggested letter I used, its from Jim Vokes website.
http://www.frontiernet.net/~jvokes/permission.htm


nwdetectorist

TOO MUCH DIRT, NOT ENUFF TIME!

 

[Swingbeepdig]

Thank you for that information.

 

[Canine]

Asking in person can be effective because people are less inclined to say no to you even if their inclination is to say no. People dislike saying no to a live person. With letters sayin no is easier. It is also easier to passive-aggressively forgo a response. Many people who would be inclined to say yes don't seem to have the time to respond, so they tend to put your request at the bottom of their list of priorities; however, a BRIEF well written letter can inform them of your intentions at a time that is convenient for them. Would be awkward to to ask if something bad had just happened in their family. Then if you don't get a response, call them up. Now you don't have to take the time to fully introduce your intentions, which makes the call that much easier for the both of you.

Make contacting you as easy as possible. If you want a written response, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope and make sure the envelope is self-adhesive- you don't want them to remember as the guy/gal who sent a SASE that, when licked to seal the envelope, it tasted like feet. When including the phone number, specify if it is a cell phone; many people prefer texting (texting is super convenient and an awesome tool when used properly). Include your email address, but make it an easy one. Pk2871buz@xxxxxxx.net would make it that much more difficult for them.

Property owners hold their property rights in high esteem, as they should, and dislike when others trespass. The owners often appreciate the heck out of someone who respects their property by asking permission. You will undoubtedly run into some crotchety old bugger that lives his/her life for the sole purpose of jerking other people around; after absorbing some of their negativity and even hostility, move on. Most people are reasonable and nice.

Finally, sometimes it is better to ask for forgiveness later than to ask for permission first. This is not a recommendation to knowingly commit a crime or an unethical deed. In some cases like on public land, the government employees will say no in a knee-jerk response no matter what the law is or isn't. This paragraph is a bit off topic as you are asking about private land access, but it is good to keep in mind.

 

[smell]

My first time asking permission will be next week,
I've done some research and have multiple spots lined up, have gotten all the property owners names and addresses.
I know the history that I'm looking for and will be able to tell the property owners that I'm looking for relics and artifacts.

I'll let you know how it goes, I plan on digging all the sites and hopefully I'll come back with some great relics.

I'll also give you what works best, I don't have any cards printed out yet, but I am going to make a sheet of paper with my info on it to hand out.

 

[Swingbeepdig]

Sound great thank you.

 

[flyin-lowe]

Also a lot of people who live in really old homes (the ones I would prefer to hunt) are interested in the history of old homes. This alone might get them to say yes just because they have a natural curiosity about the house. There are not a lot of people who are willing to buy and live in a home that is over 100 years old. The big thing to stress is that there yard will look the same when you leave as it did when you got there. I also find it is better to ask in the spring before the grass greens up. People aren't as concerned about their grass. Once they see you won't trash the place they would likely let you come back in the future if need be.