Asking Permission

I will run a scenario by you and I was wondering if some of you could tell me if I am right. I had a very good friend who is looking for a place to hunt. We drove by a place I used to hunt a few weeks ago and he thought it looked good. I told him I used to hunt there and knew the landowner very well and told him he should go ahead and try it out.

Well, he waited til yesterday to go look again and asked if I would go with him to help ask permission. I said I would but that if he was combining that I was not going to bother him as I remember him telling me that he didn't like being bothered in the field. Well, he was combining and I told him that he should try calling him to introduce himself and then find a time to stop out. He asked if I would call and ask for him, which I said I would.

The more I thought about it, I felt uncomfortable asking permission for someone else.....esp. a 27 year old adult. I tried to call last night and tell him but he wasn't home...to tell him I don't feel right doing that. Well, to make a long story short, he is mad cause I wouldn't ask for him.

For one thing, I think you should not call and ask permission. Two, I think it is not right to ask for someone else. I have banged on doors to get all my ground and had the door slammed in my face countless times. Three, you should not wait til two days before the season to get permission....esp in southern Iowa!

I was wondering if you folks could reassure me that I did the right thing, and possibly give a little advice to other hunters out there on proper etiquette. thank you!

[tjmitche]

First of all, you are absolutely right in not asking for this guy.
1) Why did he wait until days before the season to ask?
2) Why is he beggin from his buddy to ask for him? Does he have a confrontation issue or is he simply taking advantage of you?

Your friend should have been out scouting, picking up sheds, and banging on doors all summer and spring, not waiting until the last minute and then taking advantage of someone who's done their homework.

Regards,
tjm

[Admin]

I totally agree with Todd!

TLH

[scout]

Procrastinating is one thing,I've done that many times but, I would'nt ask for him. It's his job to do.
I think this is your best bet. Take the clown with you it see the land owner. Tell the owner you would like to hunt his land again. Then introduce the friend as a hunting partner. Be sure the owner knows the new guy will be hunting alone and not with you, only on the same farm. Take the new guys vehicle to ask permission so the owner can recognise it.
How well do you know this guy? I'm very cautious about representing other hunters. If he screws up the impression he leaves will be your burden. He seem a little childish getting his dander up over you not asking for him. I would'nt put up with that for long!
The majority of bow hunters don't do alot of timber walking in the hot months. Most scout from the roads and as the season approaches step up the tempo. I don't hunt for sheds. (can't find mushrooms either) I have asked permission to hunt pieces of ground during season. Nothing wrong with that! If I get a line on a good buck I'll ask other hunters if I can also ask for the same permission they have. I hate being "bumped" and won't do it to others. I just got permission to hunt a nice buck on land I've never hunted as soon as early muzzleloader is over. All you have to do is ask. Years ago I was reluctant about asking permission to hunt. Not any more. I wish I had more stands! Good hunting spots are there for the asking.

i agree scout.....there are lots of places to hunt. I had a landowner show me a place last week that had never been bowhunted before, and shotgun hunted last year for the first time. He was very accomodating and it is a very cherry looking spot! Would not have gotten it if I hadn't double checked that it was ok for me to hunt(I had asked in May). The great people I meet on my bowhunting travels is a big part of the fun for me!

[scout]

Swanny, You should have asked for LIFE TIME PERMISSION! Never heard of such a thing? It must exist. Alot of shotgun groups around here MUST have it. I guess it works like this.... Ask once and hunt it every year after! No need to check back. I've seen groups hunt land that has changed hands since they asked permission and when confronted reply "We have always hunted here" as if nothing was wrong.

[rescuebill]

My father in law won't ask anyone. So he hunts public ground around Waterloo that has hikers, squirrel hunters, water fowl hunters floating by and people biking. He also never sees anything more than a small bowl rack. Nothing ventured nothing gained.
I must have asked 15 land owners in July for permission. 14 were very nice and even though I could not hunt I still had a good convo with them about deer. If they say no I ask about turkey (trying to find an in so we can get to know each other).
It was frustrating! Most already had hunters and some with hunters would let me in as well, but that is no good in my opnion.
You were right, the guy has no reason to be mad. I knock on doors all the time. I will knock on a land owners door that has no tresspassing/keep out/private property signs all over....and you know what.....two of those places are my faveroit. Just be curtious.
At the peek of the rut last year I did just that and the 89 year old guy kept me there and played the panio and gutair and talked my head off. He gave me permission for 1 t-bone steak! I was also introduced to his son who farms it now and I'm the only bow hunter! Pepople see those signs and won't ask! I will.
Sorry, I was ranting.


[This message has been edited by rescuebill (edited 10-02-2000).]

[BW]

Ditto on Todd's reply. Swanny your feelings are correct.

He needs to practice being a responsible hunter on his own.