toogood*10 Posted July 2, 2012 Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 Ive got 23 farms ready to ring tomorrow looking for some good tips and advice on what to say to make a good first impression? Thanks Adam Please help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipdog Posted July 2, 2012 Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 Dont ring them call round, much more chance of getting some permission. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted July 2, 2012 Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 As above, also if you can take a look around the farm first to see if there are particular problems with rabbits/pigeons, then you can can say that you've noticed the pigeons/rabbits hitting whatever crop, and that you could come back when convinient to help clear them. Remember they want the pests gone first and foremost and they won't want someone using their land as a playground so give them a good incentive to let you shoot. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toogood*10 Posted July 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 i dont drive so i cant get to all the farms, i got the numbers from google maps but some didnt have numbers so i was thinking the best thing to do would be ring all the ones i can, then try and get to the ones without numbers this will allow me to cover more farms. p.s thanks for the advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted July 2, 2012 Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 i dont drive so i cant get to all the farms, i got the numbers from google maps but some didnt have numbers so i was thinking the best thing to do would be ring all the ones i can, then try and get to the ones without numbers this will allow me to cover more farms. p.s thanks for the advice how will you get to them if you do get permission? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toogood*10 Posted July 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 i will get a lift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgguinness Posted July 2, 2012 Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 (edited) Can you not blag a lift off a mate to have a drive around and see the farmers face to face? Drop him some diesel money and buy lunch or something? Honestly it will be much better trying to meet the farmers face to face. If you just call them up you will probably be told to go whistle. After all they have a lot of very expensive machinery about the place, and they get a call out of the blue off some dude they have never met before asking if you can shoot their land!? Also turn up nice and smart, shirt etc, not all camo'ed up ready to go. Doesn't give a very professional approach on first contact. I hope you have insurance too?? I would say something along the lines of... "Hi there, sorry to trouble you. My name is.......and I am a fully insured, SGC holder or air rifle shooter. I have noticed that there are a lot of .....in .....field. Would it be possible to come back at a mutually convenient time and help control the vermin problem?, If not, here is my number and I would appreciate it if you kept me in mind" If you are successful then take a decent bottle of wine or whiskey as a thank you present. Good luck Jonathan Edited July 2, 2012 by jgguinness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toogood*10 Posted July 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 thanks for the advice ill give it a try :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapid12 Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 on the other hand, i would write out a well informed letter on what you do and what you can offer them, put things like how long you been shooting, insured , who else you may shoot for ect. make the letter look as professional as possible. use the spell checker too. as i always need it :yp: post them off, write them down on a sheet of paper. give 1 week to ten days for them to ponder over it then call at a good time of day. in the evening when there not too busy. they just ask if they have read your letter and can you help them out. this works best for me. not saying its the best way but it works, and like the others said, stock up on fine wine and scotch for sweeteners. where you from? i can pm you a rough letter i post out for you to edit to your needs. mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangon Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 I think face to face definately. Just be yourself dress smart and be polite. I give a bottle of wine and a box of chocolates for the farmers wife if i get permission. If you get permission remember to check in and out with the farmer and ask if your shooting has in anyway annoyed him ie loud bangs, too many bangs etc. Its hard to get permission and very easy to lose it. Just put yourself in his shoes and think how you would like to be asked for permission. Tell him what your interested in shooting,how long youve been shooting,if you have insurance, ask him if he has any problem pests you could help with, or if he knows of any other farms with problems. I remember a time when i got permission i was driving along and noticed some good land for shooting. I noticed an elderly couple leaning on the gate looking into the field. I stopped the car and approached them and asked them politely if they knew who owned the land as i was interested in shooting on it. The elderly gentleman said "Ill tell you what if you can catch that sheep over there you can shoot where ever you like its my land" I though he was winding me up but in the field was a sheep surrounded by about 10 other sheep. He said i think it has flu and i need to give it an injection. So i said ok so climbed over the gate and walked towards them all the sheep moved away leaving the poorly sheep, well 10 minutes of running round the field and me gasping for breath i had it cornered. The farmer gave it the injection and was chuffed with my sheep herding skills. This farm had a tennant on it but he was more than happy for me to shoot on it as long as the tennant was ok with it which he was, Plus he had his own farm about 5 miles away. So two farms for a bit of sheep chasing. I told my mates later in the pub and they were cracking up laughing. 40 years old and chasing sheep round a field. Once you get permisssion go see the adjoining farms and say you have permission in such and such a farm and would they mind if you crossed the boundary's. I now have permission on 9 farms in northern ireland and going to get a new one with a rat problem in a week or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toogood*10 Posted July 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 i got a good template from the internet and changed it to fit me, thanks for all the advice, i wanst expecting so much help, p.s would of loved to see you chasing a sheep around a field haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Essex Hunter Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 Can you not blag a lift off a mate to have a drive around and see the farmers face to face? Drop him some diesel money and buy lunch or something? Honestly it will be much better trying to meet the farmers face to face. If you just call them up you will probably be told to go whistle. After all they have a lot of very expensive machinery about the place, and they get a call out of the blue off some dude they have never met before asking if you can shoot their land!? Also turn up nice and smart, shirt etc, not all camo'ed up ready to go. Doesn't give a very professional approach on first contact. I hope you have insurance too?? I would say something along the lines of... "Hi there, sorry to trouble you. My name is.......and I am a fully insured, SGC holder or air rifle shooter. I have noticed that there are a lot of .....in .....field. Would it be possible to come back at a mutually convenient time and help control the vermin problem?, If not, here is my number and I would appreciate it if you kept me in mind" If you are successful then take a decent bottle of wine or whiskey as a thank you present. Good luck Jonathan Good morning, sorry to trouble you. (Introduce your self) I have noticed that there are a lot of pigeons feeding on (describe the field as it might not be his peas, barley, etc) Listen to what he has to say…. Then mention there was no one shooting and ask if you could go for just one day…..either that afternoon or back in the morning. If it is a yes then get stuck in and do your best….call by and thank him and tell him what you have shot. By asking for just one day with birds feeding on the crops this will give you as good of a chance as you will get. He only has to commit for that day, however if you make a good job then you could well get a bit more. Face to face is the best, the phone will get you % 99.99 nowhere and there will be a follow up post with “ I spent all morning calling farmers……..” Good luck with you quest TEH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougall Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 write a letter,say your age/experience/availability/basc/apologise for intrusion if they are all ready sorted.Especially attractive is can you do weekdays/short notice?Phone calls feel intrusive when you do not know the caller, a letter is softer.Incluse your email/mobile nad say you would need a 'tour' to cover areas the farmer/land owner feels there is a problem,tricky neighbours/public footpaths etc to show you are taking the right attitude. atb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bicykillgaz Posted July 19, 2012 Report Share Posted July 19, 2012 (edited) i dont drive so i cant get to all the farms, i got the numbers from google maps but some didnt have numbers so i was thinking the best thing to do would be ring all the ones i can, then try and get to the ones without numbers this will allow me to cover more farms. p.s thanks for the advice You really should cycle round, I don't drive either but i still make the effort. The only time I've ever rang anyone is when I've been given the number by someone who knows them and then it's only been to introduce myself, tell them who gave me the number and to ask if it would be possible to come see them when ever is convenient for them to talk about the possibility of shooting vermin on there land, by been able name drop you've instantly gained a little trust as most people don't give their number to just anyone. Chances are they will give you a either a straight no or ask you to come see them to discuss it, either way thank them for their time manners go a long way with some people. I'm always polite but not false, no point kissing his bum calling him sir or anything daft like that when mate will do. Same applies when you go to meet them, no point turning up looking like your off for a job interview? I go in my shooting boots, clean jeans, clean polo shirt and a shooting jacket and cap. I like to think the smart/casual/shooting look is best but some may disagree, a gift always goes down well too (whiskey), thank them for their time and give them it before you even start talking about shooting and what you want from them. You'll get loads and loads and loads of knock backs but you'll get there, good luck Edited July 19, 2012 by bicykillgaz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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