Gaining Access to Private Land

[Don McDowell]

Unless it's an absentee owner, he knows the lay of his land better than you know the distance between your couch and the kitchen.
To gain access to someone's land you first need to gain their trust.

 

[Packman]

Thanks for all the replies, everyone.

So, some information I probably should have included in my original post:

The landowner doesn't live on the property. His listed mailing address is in town, and I know from flying over it that there aren't any houses on the property at all. The north half is orange groves, the south half is undeveloped.

I don't have any mutual contacts with the gentleman that owns it. I've talked to everyone I know around the airport, no one there has had any useful information about the place.

I am actually local, I've just never updated my profile here. I live on the east side of Orlando, the property is located on the west side.

I'll add something in about paying for access or arranging some sort of sweat equity for it. With that said, I'm not willing to pay a ton of money for it. The property itself is 230 acres, with only about 60% of that left undeveloped. However, it does back up to a large plot of land where hunting isn't allowed, so there should be reasonable amounts of game in the general area. I'm mostly interested in it due to it's proximity to an airport where I have frequent downtime.

I would rethink the method of aquiring his address and "admiring his property from the air"

Some landowners are sensitive when it comes to privacy.

Quite honestly, I don't know how the heck else I'm supposed to introduce the topic. At least I have a legitimate reason to be looking at his property. I didn't go out of my way to check it out.

So, knowing that a personal introduction probably isn't going to happen, do you fine folks have any other suggestions?

 

[ApplePie]

So, knowing that a personal introduction probably isn't going to happen, do you fine folks have any other suggestions?

If you have his mailing address and it's not a P.O. Box, then can't you knock on his door? If not, I'd see if his phone number is listed in any book and call him. I've gotten permission to hunt by making a phone call and talking to a landowner I've never met. Much better than a letter. I've also gotten phone numbers by talking to the local game wardens.

 

[jim in Anchorage]

Since you know his name, look up his phone # and call him. Offer some flight seeing [if possible.] In my experience no one turns down a free flight.

 

[Don McDowell]

If you know his address, then call him and visit a little. If he's open to allowing you to hunt, then offer to meet him over a cup of coffee and a piece of pie.

 

[redneckrepairs]

In your letter offer to buy him a cup of coffee or drink or meal and discuss the possibility of hunting his land in person . Include your phone number for him to contact you should he choose . He may or may not call but you extended a friendly hand with the offer of a drink or meal to open the ballgame .

 

[Bayou Redd]

While Your Letter Is Well Thought Out...

I don't believe it is the way to go. Some of the responses here are correct IMO...

I currently shoot squirrels for several properties, including pecan orchards in Florida & Alabama. You have to present yourself as an asset to the landowner, especially if it is farmland. They don't owe you anything & they know it. IMHO, a letter out of the blue is fodder to them. You have to assure them that their land is cared for like it was your own, while ridding them of pests that are or may be harming the property. If you aquire a property, gift giving never hurts. A bottle of wine here, a bit of Russel Stover for the Lady of the property, there. Anything that shows you care for them and their property.

I also shoot all of these properties with only airguns. Yep, I have been laughed at quite a bit, but when they see what a professional grade air rifle is all about, they appreciate that bit of safety on their property as well.

I do like Don Mc Ds idea on an approach...

When people ask why I don't charge for my services, I just tell them that it affords me my two biggest hobbies, hunting & air rifles...


Here's a little Air Rifle Capabilities