Asking for Permission to Hunt Private Land

While much of today’s focus in the hunting world is on the significance of protecting our public lands for hunting and access, a reality for millions of hunters is that they live nowhere near readily accessible public land for hunting. Private land provides the sole habitat for a large percentage of game animals in the United States for all or part of their life cycle. Wildlife habitat conservation on private land is imperative to the health of our wildlife.

Gaining hunting permission on private land isn’t always the easiest feat to accomplish. Everyone has different agendas for how and why they manage their property, and allowing others to hunt isn’t always part of that. With some perseverance, securing access to private hunting spots can greatly benefit both the hunter and the landowner. Here are a few tips for upping your chances of being granted access to some prime private spots!

Prior connections

One of the best ways to gain access to private land is by already having an established relationship with the landowner or their connections. This is where having a reputation as an ethical hunter who treats properties with respect goes a long way. Family members, friends, or people you know from school or church can be great resources. Just because you are friends with the landowner, however, doesn’t mean you can take for granted the hunting access they allow you to have. Treat their property with the same respect you would anyone else’s.

Door knocking

Asking complete strangers for permission to hunt their land can be daunting, but it’s necessary if you truly want to make headway gaining access to private spots. Be prepared to be told “no” a lot. Landowners with prime hunting ground are often inundated with hunting requests every year and often already allow hunters to lease or hunt their ground. However, you can up your chances of a “yes” by being intentional and thoughtful in how you ask for permission.

• Clean yourself up before going to knock on doors. Looking the part of a respectful, neat outdoorsperson will help you fit the comfort level of the person opening the door.

• If you have kids, bring them along, especially if you intend to hunt with them.

• Try to avoid bringing a group of adults to ask for hunting permission. Fewer is usually better. On that note, if you do secure permission, always ask before bringing another person onto the land you have permission to hunt. The landowner gave you permission; don’t abuse it by inviting lots of people along without checking to see if it’s ok first.

• Rehearse or at least have a great idea of how to phrase your questions. Be succinct and to the point. Don’t overdo the flattery and state your intentions respectfully.

• Timing can be important when asking for hunting permission. Try to avoid knocking on doors during supper time or too late at night.

• Timing of when you’re asking during the year is also important. Asking for permission in the middle of the summer for the upcoming season can be a great way to give the landowner plenty of notice and possibly get to know you prior to the season.

• Even if your ultimate goal is finding a prime trophy whitetail property, people are a lot more likely to allow you permission to hunt less desirable species, like rabbits or squirrels. If you prove yourself as a respectful hunter during squirrel season one year, your chances of them allowing you to hunt deer the next is greatly increased.

• A related point is offering to hunt species that do damage to property. Many farmers believe that they have too many deer on their land; offering to harvest some does in addition to the buck you’re after will have a greater effect on the number of deer around the next summer to do damage.

Snow geese in a private Midwestern field. M.P. Photo

Whether the landowner is your sister or a prominent farmer in your county, being a respectful, law-abiding hunter will go a long way in maintaining hunting access as well as building your reputation as a trustworthy person to have as a hunter. Check in with the landowner to see if they have any preferences like wanting a text or call before you access the property. Not closing a gate or leaving ruts in a field are easily overlooked mistakes but can get you kicked off a property quicker than you could imagine. Whether or not you agree with how someone manages their land, always abide by their requests for how you use it. A few private hunting spots can be your key to success in the field, so a little perseverance and persistence will go a long way!

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