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Lets here the approach when asking for permission
- Thread starter mcb613
- Start date
Phillip_in_NM
Member
I'd be very interested in your link.
Thanks,
Phillip
Thanks,
Phillip
I go door knocking one or two days a month. The first thing I do is look for the right yard, an older house with a weed and dirt "lawn". I shave that day (I am retired so that is not a given!) so I do not look scruffy, introduce myself, "I see you are conserving water" is my opening gambit line. After that it is all ad lib. I average about 50% to 75% permission. Terry in San Diego
Mike, one problem you've got, before you even start, is your characterization of your request, your hobby, etc.... You call it "... digging the landowners yard up.... " Now I'm sure you wouldn't go using those exact words in front of them, when asking, but still, there mere fact that you think of yourself in those terms, is going to color your image, to begin with.
I have heard the same thing when it comes to this topic as to public parks, schools, etc.... Someone will say "gee I don't think they want, or allow you, to 'dig up' their school ... park, ... etc....". The problem with characterizing it in that way, is the connotation it implies. "Dig up" easily implies leaving a mess, holes, shovels, etc... right? In other words, it implies the end result, right? But if you leave no indication of your presence, well then, I would characterize it as "digging up". If you think of yourself in damaging/destructive terms, (even if you don't intend to use those terms in front of yard owners) then your odds of getting to hunt anywhere, diminish. Because no, there are few yard owners that if you approached them and said "can I dig up your yard?" are going to say "sure, by all means, help yourself".
If you use precision retreival techniques, with minimal impact, and leave no trace, then .... let's call it something else beside "digging up the yard"
I have heard the same thing when it comes to this topic as to public parks, schools, etc.... Someone will say "gee I don't think they want, or allow you, to 'dig up' their school ... park, ... etc....". The problem with characterizing it in that way, is the connotation it implies. "Dig up" easily implies leaving a mess, holes, shovels, etc... right? In other words, it implies the end result, right? But if you leave no indication of your presence, well then, I would characterize it as "digging up". If you think of yourself in damaging/destructive terms, (even if you don't intend to use those terms in front of yard owners) then your odds of getting to hunt anywhere, diminish. Because no, there are few yard owners that if you approached them and said "can I dig up your yard?" are going to say "sure, by all means, help yourself".
If you use precision retreival techniques, with minimal impact, and leave no trace, then .... let's call it something else beside "digging up the yard"
CT Todd
Well-known member
Here's mine
Hi I'm Todd I'm not selling anything. I've got a hobby that involves old houses and places. I look for relics and things like buttons and buckles. I don't mention coins. Then I say you know like the people you have seen doing it on a beach only I do it at old homes like yours. It doesnt make a mess if I get a signal I make a hole about the size of a golf hole all the dirt goes on a towel and then all goes back in the hole and it usually doesn't kill the grass. If I find something neat I'll come and show you. Then from there its unscripted. I get permission most of the time.
Look at it this way. What do you lose by asking. If they say no I thank them for their time.
Hi I'm Todd I'm not selling anything. I've got a hobby that involves old houses and places. I look for relics and things like buttons and buckles. I don't mention coins. Then I say you know like the people you have seen doing it on a beach only I do it at old homes like yours. It doesnt make a mess if I get a signal I make a hole about the size of a golf hole all the dirt goes on a towel and then all goes back in the hole and it usually doesn't kill the grass. If I find something neat I'll come and show you. Then from there its unscripted. I get permission most of the time.
Look at it this way. What do you lose by asking. If they say no I thank them for their time.
I agree with others, wear the right clothing(no beer shirts or anything offensive). I even try to wear a shirt that has my state on it if possible. After my introduction I say that I will not leave any damage and then explain the cut a plug technique and the dirt on towel part. I will also explain to reluctant homeowners that if I did any damage I would be shooting myself in the foot because nobody would let me hunt there property. Also alot of times I will talk about how cool there old home is and how neat it is they own a part of history. Tell them how you enjoy the history of the area. Also if they say no, and it's going to happen, shake there hand or give a polite nod and say thank you and nice to meet you and have a nice day. BUT, MOST IMPORTANT DO NOT USE THE WORD DIG AROUND A HOME OWNER!! That even scares me and I metal detect.
Do not be shy and HH.
Do not be shy and HH.All good replies. I was however being funny about digging the yard up. I do use technique in recovery and very concious about damage. I simply wanted to here the message detectorists use to gaine permission. Not an easy thing for me, as I have always been reluctant to ask people for much. I obviously need to ask if I want to hunt private property though. Thanx again! Any more strategy appreciated.
oldandtired
Member
A good approach I've found is if you can find the landowner outside, stop by and chat a little, then tell them you would like to detect the property, I'm from a farming community so crops, and animals are a good subject.
Whatever you do, be friendly and polite. Another tip, when you pull in a drive and no one is outside, try to make sure someone is home, cars in drive etc.
Pull in the drive slowly and walk up to the door slowly give them a chance to know you are there, and don't dress like a sales person.
Good luck
Whatever you do, be friendly and polite. Another tip, when you pull in a drive and no one is outside, try to make sure someone is home, cars in drive etc.
Pull in the drive slowly and walk up to the door slowly give them a chance to know you are there, and don't dress like a sales person.
Good luck
Texashunter
New member
I hit about 90% of the time. I do follow most of the things that have been mentioned, but I ask if I can "scan" their front yard looking for anything that might have been lost over the years. I never mention digging or even retrieving. If they ask, I tell them I will make a 3-6" diameter plug and fill in when I find the target to the point where they can't tell I've been there. I then ask if they have lost anything themselves. Many times, either they or someone that has visited them in the past has lost something, ie jewelry, etc. If they have lost something, you are pretty much in. However, I did have one owner tell me it was okay to scan the yard but I couldn't go in after the target once I located one.???!!!??? I thanked them for their time and moved on.
The type of yard makes a big difference. I don't even stop at the manicured yards because the answer will be No most of the time. I like the old un kept yards that haven't had sod brought in. Those are usually a good bet that you'll get in.
I also ask how old the house is and if they have ever found anything interesting. Most love talking about their homes and many times I have gotten "tours" before I even start hunting.
Be nice and polite. If they say no, move on to the next one. If you are hunting in the area you live, let them know you live nearby. They at least know you are one of their neighbors which goes a long way.
The type of yard makes a big difference. I don't even stop at the manicured yards because the answer will be No most of the time. I like the old un kept yards that haven't had sod brought in. Those are usually a good bet that you'll get in.
I also ask how old the house is and if they have ever found anything interesting. Most love talking about their homes and many times I have gotten "tours" before I even start hunting.
Be nice and polite. If they say no, move on to the next one. If you are hunting in the area you live, let them know you live nearby. They at least know you are one of their neighbors which goes a long way.
E-Trac-Ohio
Well-known member
Other members of this forum have had better luck getting permission to hunt strangers yards then I have - but here's a few key thing I say that seem to help ...
( 1 ) I ask the home owner if there's anything they have lost in their yard that I can try to find for them ?
( 1 ) As posted above - don't use the "Dig" word and I try not to mention the fact that I'm mainly looking for old coins - I say I look for old relics, buckles, jewelry, etc.
( 2 ) I tell people that I will take all the junk I find with me - like nails and broken glass that people can cut themself's on or give you a flat tire - pulls tabs, aluminum cans and paper that has gone through the lawn mower, etc.
( 3 ) I also tell the home owner that there will be no damage to their lawn and that their property will be left cleaner and safer then before I got there.
HH --- Mark
( 1 ) I ask the home owner if there's anything they have lost in their yard that I can try to find for them ?
( 1 ) As posted above - don't use the "Dig" word and I try not to mention the fact that I'm mainly looking for old coins - I say I look for old relics, buckles, jewelry, etc.
( 2 ) I tell people that I will take all the junk I find with me - like nails and broken glass that people can cut themself's on or give you a flat tire - pulls tabs, aluminum cans and paper that has gone through the lawn mower, etc.
( 3 ) I also tell the home owner that there will be no damage to their lawn and that their property will be left cleaner and safer then before I got there.
HH --- Mark
jackintexas
New member
I have hunted many private yards in the past. Being a former salesman helps. You are forevermaking cold calls. That is to try sell your product to someone you have never met. Some times that can be trying also. Any way. One thing that generally comes up is the person you are trying to get permission says what's in it for me.That always seem to put you on the spot. I always say what do you want it to be in it for you. That throws the ball in their court. I sure don't mind splitting any thing I find. After all 1/2 of something is better than nothing....Jack
hello friend, here r a few tips that i have used in the past that has worked for me.......
1) A good first impression is a must so make sure you are clean shaven and wearing clean and proper clothes.
2) Wearing a work uniform (if you have one) to the door does wonders, it shows the homeowner you are responsible and it may help your chances.
3) When asking permission I like to ask on sunny beautiful days. Nice weather puts everyone in a good mood and also the homeowner.
4) If you start to sense the homeowner is going to give you the big "no" I switch to plan b and offer to cut their grass 1 time for free. Only use this tactic if you have a mower and never offer to mow a yard that may be to hard to handle.
5) Asking in the fall time also improves your chances. Plants, flowers and grass start to die off this time of year so the home owners are not usually as concerned about their yards as they would be in the summer time.
6) If you live within a few blocks of the property, let the homeowner know that you are neighbors. This will make them feel more confident and trust worthy then they would a total stanger from the other side of town digging up their yard.
7) Let the home owner know that you are a local history buff and that you like to search for old relics from the past. And let them know that you will leave the yard exactly the way you found it.
Be honest, polite and most of all use commen sense when asking permission. Dont be a salesman! total turn off. Be true not phoney and dont over do it.
These are just a few tactics I use in the field and I hope they will work for you.....happy hunting !!!!
1) A good first impression is a must so make sure you are clean shaven and wearing clean and proper clothes.
2) Wearing a work uniform (if you have one) to the door does wonders, it shows the homeowner you are responsible and it may help your chances.
3) When asking permission I like to ask on sunny beautiful days. Nice weather puts everyone in a good mood and also the homeowner.
4) If you start to sense the homeowner is going to give you the big "no" I switch to plan b and offer to cut their grass 1 time for free. Only use this tactic if you have a mower and never offer to mow a yard that may be to hard to handle.
5) Asking in the fall time also improves your chances. Plants, flowers and grass start to die off this time of year so the home owners are not usually as concerned about their yards as they would be in the summer time.
6) If you live within a few blocks of the property, let the homeowner know that you are neighbors. This will make them feel more confident and trust worthy then they would a total stanger from the other side of town digging up their yard.
7) Let the home owner know that you are a local history buff and that you like to search for old relics from the past. And let them know that you will leave the yard exactly the way you found it.
Be honest, polite and most of all use commen sense when asking permission. Dont be a salesman! total turn off. Be true not phoney and dont over do it. These are just a few tactics I use in the field and I hope they will work for you.....happy hunting !!!!
Shenandoah Digger
New member
Well I never ask to hunt yards, but I do ask to hunt fields and woods. The easiest approach I've used that works 90% of the time is to tell the landowner that I believe there may be some Civil War artifacts on their property, and I'd like to hunt it for a few hours, and am willing to pay them to do so. After all, you can't get something for nothing. I ask them how much money they'd need for me to hunt. Almost every time they tell me to go ahead and hunt and won't accept anything, although I give them a find when I'm done. This makes it easier to ask because I'm not asking for something for nothing, and it doesn't make me look like a leech. The most I've paid is $50 to hunt all day with my buddy, no one looked over my shoulder, and we made a couple of nice finds. I've got thousands in detectors. Stands to reason that I can drop $25 every now and then to enjoy my hobby. Works like a charm.