Farmer's permission.

I'm looking to do some hunting (rabbits, etc) in my local area and I'm wondering what the best way to approach this is.

I know that you need farmer's permission to shoot on their land (and rightly so), but I think that if I simply go up to their house and ask them point blank, they'll refuse me as they don't know me from Adam (and again, rightly so).

I'm already a member of a target shooting club, and I'm keen to begin hunting.

Would the best thing to do be by becoming a member of a shooting / huting club, and get my referal from them? (My father mas a member of such a club in the 80's - now he's content to target shoot... badly! ;o) )

Or is it possible to get a letter of referral of the Gaurds (probably not, but I may as well ask!).

BTW, I'm in the Enfield / Meath area.

Anyways, any help, feedback would be greatly apperciated.

stevoman

join a local gun club and then you will have hunting insurance. this helps a lot. or else join the countryside alliance and get insurance from them, or from the NARGC.

Invincible

As yearly subscription to the NARGC compensation fund is from July 31st,if you join now,you will be only getting covered for a little over a month,approach your local club and apply for membership for the coming season,then you'll be covered for 12 months, you have too be a member of a club to join the NARGC.When the farmer realises that you have all in order,gun club,comp fund(insurance),and you approach him in a pleasant manner,he'll have no worries.

riflehunter77

As the lads have said join up with your local gun club and then you can tell the local farmers that you will be insured. Dont be worried about asking the farmers the worst they can say is no. I would probaly wait till i see them out working on there land and then approach them. Tell them who you are, were you grew up if from around the area they might no your family. Tell them you would like to shoot rabbits on his land and that you will respect his land and shoot safely on it. I would tend not to go up to his house just because that is his home and I would not like to be asked at home after working all day. If he does say no tell him thanks for his time.

I'm already a member of the Countryside Alliance (came with my target shooting club fees), I do remember in the documentation saying I was insured, but a.) I forgot about it and b.) assumed when I read it that it only applied to while I was shooting at my club grounds.

To clarify, does my membership insure me for hunting, or do I need to apply for extra insurance from them?

Thanks for all replies thus far.

- my father is active on boards.ie, I'm surprised he hasn't replied to my little jab at his aim yet...!

whitser

once you have insurance you'll have a chance of getting some permission. i've got plenty of permission by knocking into farmers. some say thanks but no thanks,some say no way, once i was basically told to fcuk off, BUT you will meet one eventually what'll be glad to have someone keep the vermin down. and once you get one in an area you'll get more. cos if farmer john is happy to let you hunt the land farmer pat will too. i always bring my insurance card and photo id to show the farmer when i introduce myself. sometimes bring one of the kids along when you call in., if you look like a decent family man you've more chance.

meathstevie

Whitser hit the nail on the head. If you get to know one lad in your area others won't be long giving you the nod as well.

KRICO.22

Hay DR

You be glad to hear there are plenty of gun clubs in the Enfield area so if you get involved with some of the guys from them youl be sorted .
unfortuatly most have probably sent away there members fees already so you will prob have to wait til next year to join.

The farmers around the area are mostly alrite for giving permission its the club members you have to watch out for, at times they dont like seeing strangers on their patch specialy if they think your from another club. its like a turf war.

BTW im a Longwood /Enfield meath man.