The following steps will prove effective in starting a friendship and gaining hunting rights with some of the nicest people on earth.

I remember like it was yesterday, opening day of pheasant season in Iowa 22 years ago. As tradition would have it my older brother and I would shove dad out the back door a few minutes before season opened and we would make our way to the field behind our house and have the time of our lives. As 8:00am neared I peered out the window and saw a sight I will never forget as long as I live; hunters in orange vests in the field. My dad was the type to just call it quits at that and we didn't have permission to hunt anywhere else. Not being able to go hunting in the field on opening day because someone else was hunting it, and not having permission anywhere else, we were forced to stay home.

Looking back at my memory as a 13 year old boy and remembering my father's explanation that since we did not own the field we didn't control it, I know why I have asked for and received permission to hunt several thousand acres. Unless you own the land you hunt on, it is necessary to gain permission from those that do, to hunt there.

The following steps will prove effective in starting a lifetime friendship (thus hunting rights) with some of the nicest people on earth (farmers, ranchers and landowners).

Get your foot in the door
One of my favorite activities in late winter is to go shed hunting. This is a perfect opportunity to introduce myself to different landowners. The whole idea is that you get to meet them without swinging for the fence and asking to deer hunt and it gives you an opportunity to talk without making them defensive. I believe that by establishing a friendship with the farmer your odds of attaining and keeping ground to hunt is greater. Remember that the first activity that you request should be a low-level activity. Other good ones besides shed hunting are pictures taking, hiking, looking for arrowheads, bird watching and etc. After the activity I stop back before leaving and tell them sincerely how I enjoyed and appreciated it.

Ask permission to hunt small game
Before saying goodbye make mention that in the fall you would be interested in hunting squirrels (for example). Again this is a relatively low risk question and chances are good the answer will be yes. The idea here is to get a feel for if the landowner is open for hunting and to pick an activity that allows you to speak to the farmer on different occasions to establish a friendship. Trapping pocket gophers or other rodents is also a great way to stay in contact with the farmer as is offering to mushroom hunt and give them mushrooms. Requesting these activities make it easy for the farmer to say yes.

Return with a gift of appreciation
You may get the impression a gift is out of line however it is not. After you get the permission to small game hunt its time to show appreciation. I knock on the door and say I had an abundance and thought of you, hopefully you enjoy it. There are only 3 options in my book that qualify as gifts. The world's best is a large bag of fish fillets. I give farmers walleye, crappies or bluegills. Second is smoked turkey, fish or pheasant and last but not least is processed deer sausage or jerky. Avid outdoorsmen and women often take for granted the delicacy of their harvest and the time and energy it would take for the average person to get it. You may be surprised how much people appreciate these gifts. Canned hams, turkeys, and money are not recommended.

Return to Hunt small game and pop the question
When you return to hunt squirrels and ask again for permission a roll of deer sausage in the hands isn't a bad idea. When your hunt is done always stop back to the house and offer them part of your game. (Of course you clean it first). Now is the time for the big question. "Would you mind if I hunted deer with a bow this fall?" I would highly suggest if you are a gun hunter to ask first about bowhunting because it is a less invasive question than gun hunting. If you get a yes answer your relationship has began.

Working Relationship
Make an effort to keep the landowner informed as to your progress and that you are in constant appreciation. Never take for granted that fields can be driven in, gates can be parked in front of, trees can be trimmed, and etc. If you have time ask the farmer if he ever needs help doing anything and don't forget to keep pouring on the fish. A farmer-hunter relationship is like a marriage. You need to communicate. I would highly suggest that if you find something they like (i.e. fish) treat them often. The more you stay in consistent contact the better your chances of having a place to hunt for a lifetime. If this seems like too much work ask yourself how much money, time and commitment it would take to own it.

The following is a list of common mistakes that cost hunters their hunting rights.

NEVER:

• Drive in a farmer's field without permission
• Drive in a field when it is wet or muddy
• Bring guests without permission
• Get the landowners involved in disputes between 2 hunters with permission?
• Claim that you have sole rights
• Assume you have permission after a season ends for any species
• Brag or tell others about were you hunt
• Litter

Dr. Jason Nolz is a 35 year old, avid hunter, 3D competitor and fisherman who has bowhunted for 20 years. He has trophy hunted for the last 11 years and  has 7 trophy class whitetails to his credit. The others Jason took with either muzzleloader or shotgun. A practicing Chiropractor for 11 years, Jason is married with 3 children.  Not content with just hunting, Jason also designed and now manufacturer the TREESUIT.  "I designed the TREESUIT out of the frustration associated with hanging multiple stands in my quest for trophy class whitetails." Jason Nolz.