Really. You think the buck is a Booner? Show me that septic tank!
Depression can be a serious problem for hunters these days. Sure it’s depressing not to get drawn for a coveted big game license or hear more rumors about impending gun legislation from our current administration, but what about the depression caused by landowners saying “no” to repeated requests for permission to hunt on private land? That can make you downright melancholy (I’m using cute words so I don’t drive anyone over the edge).
Acquiring permission to hunt on private land is critical for many of you living east of the Rocky Mountains where the amount of public land is less than a spike buck’s dominance in a well managed herd. I recently saw a statistic where Nebraska is 97 percent privately owned and many easterly states are 80 percent or more privately deeded.
Since the days of knocking on doors and forging a relationship for hunting purposes are disappearing like the dodo, you need to be creative in how you open the gate to new private property.
First, make sure to use any social networks to get on land. Church, volunteer projects and community foundations all offer ways to meet landowners. Next, offer sweat equity for hunting enjoyment and barter labor for hunting rights. If you’ve been hunting the property, make notes of labor projects you could complete to aid the landowner and maintain hunting permission.
An area always in need of repair is fences. Old buildings need repair or paint, weeds can be sprayed, outbuilding roofs always need shingles and firewood has to be cut before winter. Toss the idea out to the landowner and donate a weekend or two from your summer to help their cause and yours.
Another easy way to thank a landowner is to swap professional services for hunting permission. If you are a financial adviser, offer to help with investments. If you are a mechanic, offer to fix a tractor. If you own a tire shop, give the landowner a cut on repairs. Be creative. I’ll do almost anything to acquire hunting permission although I’ve drawn the line on septic system repair.
Good luck!
Mark Kayser
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