One of my neighbors leases his place out to a private party, I can't hunt there. On the other hand my other neighbor has deer and turkey hunting, and lets me and others hunt because he is neighborly and he believes in helping people. Someday, someone is going to come along and offer $$ to have sole and exclusive access. It is going to suck, so forgive me but I can't offer you any tips or give you my neighbors contact info.
I get it though, goose hunting is all about leasing a dang hole in the ground, you can't deer hunt private on the platte because duck clubs have it all bought or leased. Public State Trust lands are put out to bid for those who will pay the most. Private elk ground west of 25 might cost the most, but not so sure as waterfowlers seem to have DEEP pockets. Then again, big deer seem to carry the biggest bounty of all. Anymore, It is all about getting your spot bought out before the next guy.
While is is a free market, "free" is for the most part a thing of the past. Can't wait till CPW starts leasing big game ground so everyone can hunt it.
The state Land board just completed a study on what folks are paying for private hunting leases. I got a copy, and sent it to CPW. Anyone care to share what they are paying for their leases? I'll tell you if your above, below, or at market value!
Others are going to disagree, fine. But they’ll be the ones complaining about the cost of leasing land.
That being said, I still have a spot or two for deer hunting that was obtained by knocking on doors. I have been hunting one of those spots for over 30 years now and see new faces hunting it every year. The landowner only allows hunting by permission, and has sworn to never lease as he feels that isn't how things should be done. It is located in an area surrounded by outfitter leased properties, and I feel extremely gracious that the owner hasn't 'pulled the plug' on the permission hunts.
All that being said, I don't know if they still print them or not, but the Division of Wildlife used to have a "Colorado Courtesy Card". These are worth gold in my opinion! I still have some, and I will not knock on a door without a completed one in hand. That is how I got on the place referenced above.
They are a 2 part card, one part goes to the landowner and the other part goes to the sportsman. Each part has space on one side for a signature (one for the landowner to sign, saying you have written permission to be there and the other for the sportsman to sign, saying you will respect the land and the landowner's rules.) On the flip side of each part, is space for info pertaining to the sportsman and landowner...part with sportsman info (name, address, vehicle description, etc.) goes with sportsman's signature and is left with the landowner...part with landowner info (name, address, info pertaining to season and where sportsman can hunt, etc.) likewise goes with landowner signature and is given to the sportsman.
These cards have actually gotten me permission to hunt after already being told no. Good luck with your quest.
It's important to know the landowner first and have a good reputation with them. Most bad leases often result in not respecting the landowners wishes or the land. Not staying on established roads is a no no... Remember to have your own insurance. Landowners can be and have been sued when trespassers injury themselves on the property and sue. We take care of all legal matters on two ranches we now have access to, and deal with trespassers, law enforcement and court dates. Above all, stick to the landowners rules!! If he tells you no, then no it is. Create a good friendship with the landowner, and maybe, like two of ours in Colorado, they will stop accepting checks from you because you're like part of the family.
Thanks. Bill v