Gaining permissions.

[CTAirgunner]

I have a pretty permanent night permission for rats, I also have a few time a year permission for pigeons and starlings but these were through word of mouth/business acquaintances, I am really wanting to add a semi regular day permission to my schedule. I love target shooting, relaxing, enjoying the fresh air but I really really love enjoying that farm air, the noises, and doing a deed for farmers. Theyre often not appreciated like they should be. This is not only a way for me to show appreciation but have a ton of fun as well and hone my skills.

I plan on taking 2-3 days off at the end of the month to drive around to some farms to try and get my way in, I know how to speak to people , I am cordial, polite, greetings of the day so on and so forth. These things were more or less beaten into me at a few different times of my life and IMO are very important ALWAYS. My issue is , I cannot for the life of me figure out the proper wording that will not offend them , I mean, who wants to hear a stranger talking about potential/existing pests and then have that stranger ask for immediate trust to shoot on their property. I know to practice safety for livestock, people, and property first.

I was planning on bringing my Evol mini along, some cardboard boxes with targets on them, range finder, and show them these are not toys and are surgical tools and great in the right hands.

It really is the wording and initial ice breaker that is driving me mad, I do not want to offend and I would prefer success.

 

[MountainSportAirguns]

Getting permissions is a whole lot like asking a hot chick out on a date...you have to be ok with getting shot down. The main thing is to be friendly, be honest and make them 100% aware that being safe is #1 priority. I usually just small talk and keep things simple so they can see that I'm a sincere and respectful person. At the end of the conversation I hand them my card and welcome them to give me a call if they ever have issues with pest. When they ask what I charge I just say that my dog and I just really enjoy getting out of the house and having the opportunity to shoot our Airguns.

 

[Bladebum]

I have a pretty permanent night permission for rats, I also have a few time a year permission for pigeons and starlings but these were through word of mouth/business acquaintances, I am really wanting to add a semi regular day permission to my schedule. I love target shooting, relaxing, enjoying the fresh air but I really really love enjoying that farm air, the noises, and doing a deed for farmers. Theyre often not appreciated like they should be. This is not only a way for me to show appreciation but have a ton of fun as well and hone my skills.

I plan on taking 2-3 days off at the end of the month to drive around to some farms to try and get my way in, I know how to speak to people , I am cordial, polite, greetings of the day so on and so forth. These things were more or less beaten into me at a few different times of my life and IMO are very important ALWAYS. My issue is , I cannot for the life of me figure out the proper wording that will not offend them , I mean, who wants to hear a stranger talking about potential/existing pests and then have that stranger ask for immediate trust to shoot on their property. I know to practice safety for livestock, people, and property first.

I was planning on bringing my Evol mini along, some cardboard boxes with targets on them, range finder, and show them these are not toys and are surgical tools and great in the right hands.

It really is the wording and initial ice breaker that is driving me mad, I do not want to offend and I would prefer success.

Getting permissions is a whole lot like asking a hot chick out on a date...you have to be ok with getting shot down. The main thing is to be friendly, be honest and make them 100% aware that being safe is #1 priority. I usually just small talk and keep things simple so they can see that I'm a sincere and respectful person. At the end of the conversation I hand them my card and welcome them to give me a call if they ever have issues with pest. When they ask what I charge I just say that my dog and I just really enjoy getting out of the house and having the opportunity to shoot our Airguns.

Pretty much this has been true for me as well. My last 5 attempts were no go and then today landed a horse ranch loaded with ground squirrels. So many people still think we're running around with bb guns about to shoot thier animals and put holes through thier windows until they get a chance to see what we're all about.

 

[Beanflip]

As far as daytime spots go I’ve been fortunate to find a few Purple Martin enthusiasts that allow me to shoot pest birds that compete for their nesting space. The Martins do ok with my pesting and I think their presence may even put their competition at ease. So if anything there’s another option you might try.

 

[Luis Leon]

Getting permissions is a whole lot like asking a hot chick out on a date...you have to be ok with getting shot down. The main thing is to be friendly, be honest and make them 100% aware that being safe is #1 priority. I usually just small talk and keep things simple so they can see that I'm a sincere and respectful person. At the end of the conversation I hand them my card and welcome them to give me a call if they ever have issues with pest. When they ask what I charge I just say that my dog and I just really enjoy getting out of the house and having the opportunity to shoot our Airguns.

Yup, I got shot down at two permissions I knew had beaucoup pests, kept at it and finally gained accessed. After that, they would literally call and ask when I could come back again. In another instance the farmer ask that I demonstrate, so I shot a pigeon off his rafters with my Beeman R7. That was over twenty years ago. I still walkabout on that property, pesting has made me wonderful, long term farming friends.

 

[Beanflip]

Yup, I got shot down at two permissions I knew had beaucoup pests, kept at it and finally gained accessed. After that, they would literally call and ask when I could come back again. In another instance the farmer ask that I demonstrate, so I shot a pigeon off his rafters with my Beeman R7. That was over twenty years ago. I still walkabout on that property, pesting has made me wonderful, long term farming friends.

That’s great!

 

[BenjeneerJohn]

I start by explaining what I am up to. I love pesting with air guns. I passed a field that had a bunch of woodchucks on it. It's it yours? Would you mind if I shoo t a few with my airgun? I have it right here in the truck if you want to check it out. They are quiet and very effective. Any other pests causing you problems?

Educating people on airguns can help you get permission. Explain that they are quiet, powerful and accurate,

 

[Ezana4CE]

@CTAirgunner Referncenes from within the community are also helpful. If you're close to home or if the landowner knows someone of good repute in your family that helps a lot. Something that is extremely helpful is utilizing short video clips taken with scope cameras or digital scopes. The proof is in the footage, then when you do your demonstration with you gun and target you can emphasize and maybe demonstrate your command of the gun's power level. This is especially helpful when you have a gun like a BRK/Brocock with an adjustable transfer port so they can see that you're not shooting through animals and posing a risk to their animals or property, but you wield enough power to effectively and consistently manage the pest population. If you don't have any, get some decent pesting footage.

 

[CTAirgunner]

I have started frequenting the local farms to source my food for other reasons aside from pesting but also to be familiar face as well, possibly making it easier to strike up conversation about the many birds I see atop the roofs. I don't have too much footage pesting but that is also a good idea. I am surrounded by farms where I live I just need to get that foot in the door.

I unfortunately have no family around where I live and am a bit of a loaner aside from work and shooting. I am hoping to break the ice soon with the couple of farms ive been frequenting and will let you all know how it goes.

 

[Luis Leon]

I have started frequenting the local farms to source my food for other reasons aside from pesting but also to be familiar face as well, possibly making it easier to strike up conversation about the many birds I see atop the roofs. I don't have too much footage pesting but that is also a good idea. I am surrounded by farms where I live I just need to get that foot in the door.

I unfortunately have no family around where I live and am a bit of a loaner aside from work and shooting. I am hoping to break the ice soon with the couple of farms ive been frequenting and will let you all know how it goes.

Bit of a loaner, would you loan me one of your sweet rigs for awhile. Be well, friend.

 

[Scriv]

Great thread. I've been wondering the same thing. I'm not the best at things like this, but my wife is a natural at greeting people and making them feel at ease. My thought is to bring her along at least for the first meeting. Keep things light, and appear sincere, less threatening if you get my drift. I like the idea of getting cards made up.

 

[Luis Leon]

Great thread. I've been wondering the same thing. I'm not the best at things like this, but my wife is a natural at greeting people and making them feel at ease. My thought is to bring her along at least for the first meeting. Keep things light, and appear sincere, less threatening if you get my drift. I like the idea of getting cards made up.

My wife was the icebreaker for me in all of my local permissions… When we first moved into our community I stilled worked in NYC and was away M-F. She got integrated into our new locale first, which benefited me when I left NYC for good. Good luck!

 

[PasadenaMike]

Eventually I want it to be like Forrest Gump,

“cause I was a gazillionaire and I liked doing it so much, I cut that grass for free”​

Instead it’ll be

“cause I was a gazillionaire and I liked doing it so much, I greased them critters for free”​

That’s my retirement plan

 

[Luis Leon]

Eventually I want it to be like Forrest Gump,

“cause I was a gazillionaire and I liked doing it so much, I cut that grass for free”​

Instead it’ll be

“cause I was a gazillionaire and I liked doing it so much, I greased them critters for free”​

That’s my retirement plan

Slightly adjusted… Couldn’t resist…

cause I was a gazillionaire I purchased a large dairy and pig farm and have an open invite to HAM members in “good standing” to join me in greasing them critters for free…​

 

[PasadenaMike]

Slightly adjusted… Couldn’t resist…

Yess !!!!

 

[Farmplinker2]

Slightly adjusted… Couldn’t resist…

As someone who used to milk cows, you're going to want to be at least a gazillionaire to milk cows...

 

[Luis Leon]

As someone who used to milk cows, you're going to want to be at least a gazillionaire to milk cows...

A gazillionaire would have a lot of cow milkers like her…!

 

[Ezana4CE]

@CTAirgunner Any luck striking up a permission?

 

[pan60]

A gazillionaire would have a lot of cow milkers like her…!View attachment 3990

maybe i should hire a helper for the bee yard?

 

[Farmplinker2]

A gazillionaire would have a lot of cow milkers like her…!View attachment 3990

Had a high school girl work for us. One Saturday we had her pick rocks using our Gator. I was driving past the field when the car ahead of me almost swerved into the ditch. She'd been bent over picking up a rock when the driver noticed it was a better looking butt than mine in the field.