How to meet farmers

[Silvershackles]

How to meet farmers?

Why would it be advantageous to know farmers? Personally, would like to do some varmint hunting. More specifically, would like to take out at least a few ground squirrels, but mostly rabbits, jack-rabbits, and crow. As far as I'm concerned that would make a good start. Then, perhaps we could talk about deer.

How can I communicate with farmers? Feed store is about all I can think of outside of showing up at a farm to talk with them. Then, would probably end up talking with the help, if I found anyone at all.

Tried looking for farmers talk groups but found NONE.

Any suggestions? There has got to be a way. Would certainly like to help out, could learn stuff too. Nothing wrong with that.

[chris]

Well One thing I’ve learned out here in Southwestern Oklahoma is, One way to go about meeting them is to hit the local donut stores and the Cafe’s early in the morning, and I mean at opening time. Another way is to put an add in the local paper. Most all farmers around here read the paper every morning. I find it’s best not to ask during the season of what ever it is you might be after, but to ask a good time before or after the season and let the farmer know you will be glad to help him out with what ever help he might need in order to allow you to hunt on his land. Not only that, but be sure when he calls that your Johnny on the spot, or he may never call again, or at least make every effort to be there to help out. I know a few that have let people hunt and the hunters agreed to help them out, but never showed when the farmer would call and go out and try to hunt anyway, UN till they were "run off". In most cases, I’ve found that most of the time; they will only call if they really need the help. Most all farmers are good honest folk and wont work you to death looking for a good hand to help out when they could really use it!

[kt]

Show up at the door, I prefer weekends. It seems to work if you tell them you would like to hunt a few species a few of which are a nuisance. For instance I spoke to a farmer last year, who didnt have many people on his land in deer season so i figured he wasnt big on letting people on. So I also asked if i could hunt groundhogs and geese both are nuisances around here. He said yes and although we did kill a few hogs and geese on this property two members of my hunting party killed deer there. I also agree to show up way before the season and if a farmer says "come back closer to the season and ask" take him up on that. good luck

[Swift]

I just stop by early evening, but during the off harvest times. I'm an avid groundhog hunter and have used that as my stepping stone. From there I stop in every now and then to shoot the sh** and inform them how many less ghogs they have. From there things just take care of themselves. You just pickup on when ta ask em about huntin another species of game.
Now this takes awhile to build a trust. But it's well worth it. I now hunt 10 different with thousands of acres and have access to all but 2 for deer and those 2 I may hunt small game on.
I also find it easier to get permission to archery hunt deer first and progress from there.
Takes a couple years but worth it.

[biggreg]

When I head into unexplored territory looking for hunting permission I head to the local saloon/tavern in the evening. I will let the bartender know who I am and what I am up too. It usually isn't long before I have made good contacts at the cost of a few beers.

[justwannano]

You have to be cautious about getting permission in a bar.
Especially if you are buying beer.
I got permission to trap a mile of river bank one time. It had two feeder creeks going through it.So it was kind of an interesting place.
Turned out the guy that gave me permission only knew the owner. He had no rights there himself let alone giving me permission to trap.

[jmarriott]

I have hit the VFW many times and have got permission to hunt areas. Just get it in writing even on a bar napkin.

I always have a form I ask the landowner to sign stating basicly I will shut all gates and leave no sign I was there other than a bit of blood. It also states he gave me permission. I offer them my phone number, address, car or truck plates, even have stated to one person that no shots will be taken before noon on sundays as that is the only time he gets to sleep in. The paperwork really helps as it is basicly a contract for use. He is not just giving you permission to hunt but you are promiseing to do certian things like park at a certian spot, Not to disturb crops,. You can tailor it out to suit any situation. It also states that no body will sue him if anything happens to me while on his property.

It also helps if approuched buy another person stating you have not got permission to hunt that area. All you have to do is show your paperwork. I bet he can't show any.

Asking any farmer to hunt groundhogs is almost a win/win situation. Live trapping coon is about the same out of barns and outbuildings.

If he asks you to help bail hay do it. It is the hardest, hotest, Nose plugging up, dust in the throat job on the farm. It is also a big plus to hunt for deer if you do a good job.

[wrenchman]

i also like to take adds out in the local church pappers
i am a heavy mechanic by trade i have spent a few days repairing combines and throwing hay when the farmer couldnt get help a little sweat can go a long way in keeping the place you hunt
i had a farmer turn me down one year becouse he was selling off some propertyand the real estate didnt want know one hunting on it the next year he called me up and offerd me what he had dont hold a gruge if they say no it dont mean no for ever
i also paid the taxes on the land i was hunting on one year becouse the farmer lost his crop on the land and was straped for cash

[biggreg]

I always follow up the bar encounter with a face to face at the property in question the following day before I do any hunting or scouting. That way I know it wasn't the beer talking and I indeed have the proper owner. There is always a rack of BBQ ribs or a few steaks with proper beverage to be left behind along with my thanks once I have verified I have the right person. Heck we have even put on a cookout or two at the rancher's home! Talk about getting invited back!

I designed a few business cards on my computer, showing me as a varmint hunter and having my address and phone. I always give one to a farmer/rancher, even if he turns me down to hunt. Some have called me back later and given the OK!

Also, I printed up a hunt permission slip with my info at the top, and space for a map and landowner's signature at the bottom. When I get permission and have him draw the map and sign it, I tear the bottom part off. I keep than and he gets the top. It's a touch of professionalism that they appreciate.

Finally, I NEVER ask to hunt the glamour species like duck, pheasant or deer. I specifically say (and actually restrict myself) to varmints like raccoon, crow, fox, coyote or whatever the farmer wants to be rid of. At one place it's feral cats that people dump off!
At one place, I told the rancher where he had a flock of 30+ pheasants, and he said how many did I get. I said none because that wasn't on my "varmint" list. That's when he said, "Well you've earned a few...have at 'em!" If I'd asked for pheasant to start with, he'd have certainly slammed the door on me.

[Silvershackles]

Thank you all for your fine responses. Took a month off the net, that's why you haven't heard from me for a while. Read all your posts, and saved them for future reference. Epsicailly like the ideas about business cards, permission slips, and the addition of non-liability and hunter promisses. But, learned from all.

Thanks again.

[Bubba]

I am a farmer or was one for years. I rent the farm now for crops but I retain the right to hunt my own property. When I look for a place I simply get into my truck and head out. I look for places that may hold game. I like to rabbit and deer hunt. I find the best way to find new places is to stop by the place you want to hunt and ask. If you get turned down, so be-it. You thank the farmer, tell there's no harm in asking and make sure you don't take up a lot of his time. They are usually busy people.

Of course it don't hurt to be a farmer either. You have friends and neighbors that farm. It never hurts to let a few of them hunt on your place. Like I have loads of rabbits, a lot of my friends don't...they hunt rabbits on my place and I hunt deer/geese/dux/quail/ etc. on theirs.

:D <~~ evil grin

[longfisher]

I live in Texas. They grow more pecans here than anywhere else in the world except Georgia. Crows, blue jays, coons, crows, deer and even beaver are a problem for these farmers.

I called every pecan farmer on the list from the Texas Pecan Growers Association and asked permission to hunt. At least half said, Yes.

So, find an orchard crop that's prevalent in your state and beset with small game pests and start calling. In general, they should be quite happy, indeed, to have your help in eradicating the pests.

Oh, county extension agents also can help identify growers who are not members of the association. Also, the USDA in every state has Agricultural Research Stations. Some of these grown nut and/or fruit orchards and they have the same pests as the other farmers do. But the pests not only damage the crop yields for these researchers, but also, they hamper the research by destroying new varieties or graftlings. They're, generally, very willing to talk to you.

LongFisher