There’s a verse in the Bible that says, “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”
And while this verse may not necessarily be referring to gaining hunting permission, it’s still solid advice when door knocking is the the mission.
Some say the days of door knocking are long gone. However, I personally think that’s simply an excuse made by those who haven’t dug down deep and found the guts to ask.
Does door knocking still work? Absolutely! Are the odds for success good? Not at all.
But for those willing to put in the time to make it happen, the rewards can be sweet. Here’s a few things to know before you go.
Overcoming the Fear of Rejection
As mentioned above, your odds for success aren’t good when you go knocking on doors asking for permission to hunt. More times than not, you will be told, no. And that’s okay. That’s to be expected.
“No,” is normal. But what you’re looking for is that one landowner that everyone else has missed. That one landowner that has a small chunk of ground that hasn’t been gobbled up for a lease.
They are out there. You simply have to ask. You have to get over the fear of rejection, keeping in mind that every “No” is one door closer to a green light.
When Door Knocking Was the Norm
There was a time when door knocking was the norm. It was a time, many decades ago, when visiting your neighbor was common. You didn’t call or text to let them know you were coming, you simply stopped in and knocked on the door.
Those were good days. People were far more friendly back then. Nowadays, when people pull up in the driveway, we immediately suspect the worst. We lock the door, turn out the lights and hide.
That’s why it’s so important to think about your approach before you pull in the driveway. What are you driving? How are you dressed? Do you look sharp and clean, or stinky and sketchy?
Don’t pull up in someone’s driveway in an old beater vehicle that’ll immediately cause the landowner to be suspicious. First impressions are everything here. Ditch the camo and dress nice. Approach the situation much like you would a job interview.
Be mindful of your body language as you walk from your truck to the house. Smile, look friendly, keep your head up, hands out of your pockets, and avoid looking at everything in the yard as if you’re sizing the place up. Keep your focus on the front door. Remember, they are likely watching your every move from the moment you step out of the truck – keep smiling.
Build Rapport Before You Ask
Think about what you’re going to say before you make the walk to the front door. Maybe you need to memorize a rough script of what you want to say. But the important thing is to connect with the landowner right from the start. Build rapport. Let them know you’re one of the good guys.
“Hey, I’m your neighbor from over on Longbranch Road.”
“Hey, I go to church with your son over at Big Buck Baptist.”
“Man, y’all got the finest looking garden in town! What variety of sweet corn is that?”
Find some connection of familiarity. With apps like HuntStand and onX Hunt, you can know the landowner’s name before you knock on the door.
“Hey, Mr. Graf! How’s your summer been going?”
Do your homework. Know the basics on the people you’re seeking permission from. It’ll go a long way towards building rapport and establishing a connection.
Ask for a Day, Not the Whole Season
Jared Scheffler of Whitetail Adrenaline is widely known for his team’s high-energy video productions. And while they primarily hunt on public land, they’ve started tapping into some permission opportunities in recent years.
Scheffler shared some solid words of wisdom with us when he recommended just asking for permission for a single day hunt, or maybe a weekend, at most. “Landowners seem much more likely to offer permission when they know it’s for a limited time, as opposed to giving free run of the property for an entire season,” says Scheffler.
Consider Your Timing
Consider the timing of when you’re making the ask. It’s important to catch people at the right time,” says Scheffler.
“Think about what might be going on in their life when you go to the door. The right timing can make a big difference in a yes or no.”
- Don’t wake them up knocking too early in the morning.
- Don’t interrupt dinner
- Don’t hit them up the moment they get home from work
Lee Ellis of Seek One also recommends to consider the timing of year when you ask for permission.
“We’ve found the best time to ask for permission is when people aren’t hunting anymore,” he says. “Right after hunting season, in late winter, deer are the most visible as they’re searching for limited food sources. Landowners can see this struggle and may be more open to the idea and need for management.”
Women and Kids Work Best
Cute women and kids will always get the nod before the big, burly guys. That’s just the way it is.
I knocked on a door several years ago with my son. Unbeknownst to me, the landowner had just told a buddy of mine, no, the week before when he asked for permission. However, when I showed up with my son he said, “I just told Joe no, but I don’t guess I can tell you no with your son and all.”
So if you want to up your odds, take your wife, girlfriend, or kids. Just remember, if you give the impression that the permission is for your wife and kids, you better make sure they’re in the mix for your hunts.
Landowners are quick to know when they’ve been duped, and they will call you out when you use your child to gain permission, but never actually hunt with your child.
IF you want to get really serious about taking your door knocking game to the next level, you may consider the Masterclass offered from the boys at Seek One.
The guys have created a course that’ll tell you all the ins and outs of how to go about locating bucks on private lands, seeking permission, word-for-word permission pitch script, permission forms, liability insurance, aerial diagrams, gear lists, and more.
“This is more than just an urban hunting course. It’s a comprehensive guide for beginners and experienced hunters on hunting whitetails anywhere in the country. There’s something here for all skill levels.” – Lee Ellis
Are you planning to knock on some doors this season in search of hunting permission?
Be sure to keep the steps mentioned above in mind, and go with confidence knowing your next great hunting spot could be behind the next door that opens.
