gaining permission

[craig hill]

After getting some land to shoot on, I have ordered some buisness cards, stating free pest control and thats its my hobby etc, but how many have had any sucess by using buisness cards? Unsure whether to post them through farm letterboxes with a photocopy of my licence, or talk to the farmer face to face, and give him a card or two.?

Ideas/suggestions/experience welcome.

 

I'm in Doncaster, but don't mind traveling a little

Edited May 13, 2013 by craig hill

[camokid]

i have gave out tones never had anything back.. best way is door knocking face to face

[marshy pete]

Face to face is best if you can, leaving a card is a good idea after talking as you won't forget anything but posting them through letter boxes is probably not going to work.

Make you sure tell the farmer about your insurance and if he says no just thank him for the time and leave your details...I have got two permissions in the past from people who have said no then phoned a few months later with a problem and asked if I'm still interested.

Good luck

[Cranfield]

Don't post them.

 

I approach the Farmer face to face and in introducing myself, I offer them a card.

I explain that I have a licence, insurance and what I do and then ask for permission to shoot pigeons and corvids.

If refused I ask them to keep the card and ask them to please contact me if the situation changes.

 

I have never met a Farmer who will grant shooting permission without first seeing the shooter face to face.

[craig hill]

Thanks for the help guys, exactly what I thought to be honest, will go around and ask around, pretty nerve racking for the first time, I'm sure once I get a few out of the way it will be ok.

 

Cheers

[varminter pb]

I have never met a Farmer who will grant shooting permission without first seeing the shooter face to face.

I've gained a few permissions this way, no leg work required on my part as we're referrals from existing landowners. Asked if I was interested, then numbers and details given to me to follow up. Once you've sorted the problems for some, they'll speak nothing but praise if your reliable, safe and effective. Admittedly these were for rabbits, but many of the farmers suffer from pigeons too.

[craig hill]

Yeah that's the plan, give each farmer a couple or 3 cards each, so he can hand them out if necessary, problem is, I'm only 20, shooting since 13 with airguns, so it's not a good image, just smarten myself up and hope for Tue best.

[NickB65]

Face to face every time.... would you trust someone from just a business card? Face to face they get to meet you, you have time to explain what you can and can not do and you get to see what they are like. I have turned down three permissions and one rather large one as I just did not like the their attitude or what they wanted was not what I could provide or was willing to provide.

 

It is a two way relationship and as much as he must trust you, you also have to trust them.

[mace1966]

I have always had a few cards made just incase, i think as everyone have said the best way to ask face to face and leave cards i have had a few say not at the moment but if you have a card i will ring you if anything changes not many do but i have had one phone back as the guy that had done it for yrs had died not nice but at least i got it and not some one else only cos he had a card of mine, i have two peices of land from phoning around as well you just might get one or two who tell you to come and meet them... good luck pal its always hard but just keep knocking,

[Mangled99]

Always face to face and when you get a knock back offer them a card and let them know you can attend at short notice, it's got me more than enough shooting with recommendations. I have had comments that it looks very professional before now but when you get that first permission put the hours in and make sure you are seen and always attend when requested even when the farmers tells you there are hundreds of birds around when you know it's only a few, they like that.

[Alanl50]

Don't post them.

 

I approach the Farmer face to face and in introducing myself, I offer them a card.

I explain that I have a licence, insurance and what I do and then ask for permission to shoot pigeons and corvids.

If refused I ask them to keep the card and ask them to please contact me if the situation changes.

 

I have never met a Farmer who will grant shooting permission without first seeing the shooter face to face.

Totally agree even when I was recommended to one farm from another I still had to go along and see him face to face

I always offer up what Im licenced for SG/FAC, what quarry Im allowed on my FAC, my insurance, home address, phone numbers and where I work and what my profession is etc.

Try to show him that your open about yourself.

Alan

Edited May 25, 2013 by Alanl50

[pigeon controller]

Yeah that's the plan, give each farmer a couple or 3 cards each, so he can hand them out if necessary, problem is, I'm only 20, shooting since 13 with airguns, so it's not a good image, just

 

smarten myself up and hope for Tue best.

Also try the roundabout system, any mates who have relatives who are farmers or who work on farms. Mates with sisters who have horses or get a girlfriend with a horse . Join young farmers and meet up with farmers sons and DAUGHTERS?

[The Essex Hunter]

After getting some land to shoot on, I have ordered some buisness cards, stating free pest control and thats its my hobby etc, but how many have had any sucess by using buisness cards? Unsure whether to post them through farm letterboxes with a photocopy of my licence, or talk to the farmer face to face, and give him a card or two.?

Ideas/suggestions/experience welcome.

 

I'm in Doncaster, but don't mind traveling a little

 

Face to face is the method which will work best; joining the young farmers will add your name and face to a good group of people. With the Young Farmers in time you could pick a days shooting by way of an invite as the stubble shooting is not so far away.

Most of the crops are in place with only the late drills catching up. Look for birds feeding on backward crops in bare patches this might give you a start for your pitch to the grumpy farmer!!

One thing they don’t like is pigeons eating their crops/profit, so make sure you know what field and what crop.

It could well be someone else’s field/crop so if the farmer points you in the right direction then quote that farmer who sent to as Mr Jones sent me etc which creates a link.

Just ask for one days shooting (one thing I don’t do is wave permission slips under the nose of a person you have just met as all my pigeon shooting over 8 farms is verbal.

My fac shooting is different)

Do your best and don’t leave a mess…

 

 

TEH

[gazbev]

Yep looks like face to face is a clear favourite, It is nerve wracking though you are right, farmers are busy people and won't be messed around so smarten yourself up, not a shirt and tie but not like you want their scrap, hands behind your back tell them what you want to do and you are insured.

I have been turned down more often than not but I have enough land now,also keep your farmer informed if there is anything out of order or cartridges left behind by someone else so you don't get the blame he will think of you as another pair of eyes.always text or call before you go even if they say its ok not to its a courtesy that won't be forgot and always look after him at Christmas and something for the lady farmer as well.ATB

[joknob]

Yep looks like face to face is a clear favourite, It is nerve wracking though you are right, farmers are busy people and won't be messed around so smarten yourself up, not a shirt and tie but not like you want their scrap, hands behind your back tell them what you want to do and you are insured.

I have been turned down more often than not but I have enough land now,also keep your farmer informed if there is anything out of order or cartridges left behind by someone else so you don't get the blame he will think of you as another pair of eyes.always text or call before you go even if they say its ok not to its a courtesy that won't be forgot and always look after him at Christmas and something for the lady farmer as well.ATB

yep,face to face is best. craig...hill. spooky,nother one on here

[ace_of_hearts]

My permission was gained through a business card

 

I knocked on around 100 doors, and left cards with people and posted them if they wernt in. I all but gave up and 2 months later i got a call through, and it turns out the farmer I now shoot for was handed my card from someone i posted it too. I now have around 1200 acres to shoot over.

 

Don't give up though, doing something is better than nothing and all you need is one person to give you a chance

[NickB65]

The business card is to give to the farmer or land owner when you meet them so they have your number to call - nothing else. Would you employ someone just based on just a business card? Nothing is better than a face to face meet and then you can suss them out and they can see what you are like. When I meet a potential client I always have a blank permission form for them to look at, copies of existing permission forms so they can see where else I shoot (esp good if you are shooting land bordered by public paths and roads as it shows the other farmer trusts you) and all my permission forms have a written statement and a map outlining the fields I can shoot on. This shows you are prepared, serious and have an understanding as to what is required. I also take my BASC membership card and copy of insurance in case they ask for it..... Most of this I now keep on the ipad but if they want to see the real paperwork then I bring this on the second meet when I hope to walk away with another signed form.

 

Like a job interview you need to be confident, sure of yourself and what you can do, don't lie or exaggerate and be yourself. Chances are this could be the start of a long friendship.

[tomswift55]

^{All good advice here.}

 

^{I’ve tried posting letters requesting permission and its never worked for me.}

 

^{I’m a white collar worker so I always turn up in a shirt and tie on my way to/from work as I think this helps an awful lot to show you are a responsible chap. Explain to the farmer you have been watching the fields and that there are a large numbers of pigeons damaging the crops (s/he will already know this) and that you are a keen pigeon shooter and will look to reduce the numbers and therefore crop damage.}

 

^{Make sure you have your name, address, phone number, shotgun license and car registration number printed out as well as your Insurance liability certificate…this is an absolute must in my opinion as the farmer would not be able to contact you otherwise and is far less reluctant to grant permission. I also take along an Ordinance Survey map so the farmer can point out the boundaries, although most of the time they don’t bother but it again shows you are a responsible individual who doesn’t want to cause problems by accidentally crossing boundaries.}

 

^{On more than one occasion I have been hit with “I’ve got some chaps which already shoot pigeons on the land…” If this is the case just explain that you fully understand that they have been granted permission first and therefore have priority and you will not shoot if they are already there. I can’t remember the last time I went pigeon shooting and there was someone else there already. Don’t push it though!}

 

^{Once you have permission on one farm, it is considerably easier to get permission on neighbouring farms as you can start using actual names and any potential farmers will assume you are sound as you’ve got permission from the farmer next door who they will know….hope this makes sense!}

 

^{A decent bottle of red wine for the farmer in autumn to say thank you goes down extremely well, and will cement your relationship no end.}

 

^{I know from experience its pretty nerve racking but try to remember farmers don’t want pigeons damaging the crops so will welcome responsible shooters.}

[Lg1]

Agree with above! This is good advice, the hard parts getting your foot in the door. Here's a little cheeky tip I use lol

 

I go to a farm next to or very near the farm I really want to pick the permission up, have a quick chat and of cause try and get some shooting but in fact I'm not to botherd if I get it or not... Seems daft? But what I do is I ask his name and also the farmers next door! Then go to the farm I really want and just have a chat with the farmer. It goes a little like this-

 

Hello buddy,

 

Sorry to trouble you-

 

Iv just been down daves next door having a chin wag and while we were chatting i couldn't help noticing the birds hitting your crops, I'm a kean pigeon shooter so I ask Dave your name so I could just ask if you mind if I box a few pigeons?

 

 

Haha! Now I never said I new the farmer next door just said I was having a chat but indirectly he thinks I know him and instantly relaxes with me.

 

Its well know its a lot Easyier to pick the next farm up when you have permission so what iv done is somewhat created that environment lol...

 

Shy kids don't get no sweets!

[matty thud]

face to face always once yu get first couple out of way yu will be fine also i know yu shirt and collor guy but anyone else on here who also looking for permission whos in building trade electricions plumbers builders bricklayers landscapers etc turn up in yor work vans and cloths farmers always want something doing around the farm. when ther see yor van sign writing wot yu du could just help obtaining permission i got a permission this way doing odd concreting jobs for new pens and building walls . i even ended up getting my own lockup ther good luck

[bullet1747]

Were in Doncaster

[Dannydp]

Apologies but I have not read the thread. But I've recently needed to gain permission from scratch and here's how I've gone about it.

 

Knock on doors and be as professional as possible

 

Onece u gain land treet them as a matter of importance

 

Learn your crops and if the farmer is forth coming learn what u can. Once friendly with the farmer and he's happy with you ask at the next farm to him

 

Once you have a farm or two you can reach a little further a field but not to far. Most farmers know other local farmers.

 

This should be all you need after this, if your good at what you do, polite and trustworthy the rest should be easy.

 

Syndicate shoots have been my biggest problem as permission on land that has a shoot is difficult to gain but not impossible.

 

Hope this helps I have 5 different farms just a few miles away from where I live now and only got my licence in Feb 2013

[the pigeon man]

face to face always once yu get first couple out of way yu will be fine also i know yu shirt and collor guy but anyone else on here who also looking for permission whos in building trade electricions plumbers builders bricklayers landscapers etc turn up in yor work vans and cloths farmers always want something doing around the farm. when ther see yor van sign writing wot yu du could just help obtaining permission i got a permission this way doing odd concreting jobs for new pens and building walls . i even ended up getting my own lockup ther good luck

Every permission I got was in work clothes dressing up abit you look like a city goer that has no idear ...

[yickdaz]

Agree with above! This is good advice, the hard parts getting your foot in the door. Here's a little cheeky tip I use lol

 

I go to a farm next to or very near the farm I really want to pick the permission up, have a quick chat and of cause try and get some shooting but in fact I'm not to botherd if I get it or not... Seems daft? But what I do is I ask his name and also the farmers next door! Then go to the farm I really want and just have a chat with the farmer. It goes a little like this-

 

Hello buddy,

 

Sorry to trouble you-

 

Iv just been down daves next door having a chin wag and while we were chatting i couldn't help noticing the birds hitting your crops, I'm a kean pigeon shooter so I ask Dave your name so I could just ask if you mind if I box a few pigeons?

 

 

Haha! Now I never said I new the farmer next door just said I was having a chat but indirectly he thinks I know him and instantly relaxes with me.

 

Its well know its a lot Easyier to pick the next farm up when you have permission so what iv done is somewhat created that environment lol...

 

Shy kids don't get no sweets!

I have done something similar driving past a few farms I seen a farmer in a tractor at the side of the lane I stopped and asked him does he know who owns such and such a field were I have seen birds piling in to it half mile away turns out he did know who farmed it, and I picked up the permission from the farmer I stopped and asked as well

Edited July 30, 2013 by yickdaz

[Danoi99]

My mate did a carpet fitting job for a farmer........when he finished the job, the farmers daughter ( I think ) said " I don't suppose you know anyone that does pigeon shooting do you ?"

 

My mate nearly swallowed his tongue as he tried to act cool before giving his answer !!! We now have 6 farms to shoot on !!! 3 of which are within walking distance from my house !!!

 

And they are just about to harvest the peas......could it get any better?? I suppose asking for some kind of payment might be stretching it a bit eh ??