Getting Permission....i Hope This Helps...

[Foxhole 22]

I wondered if this would help anyone as i hope it does.

At one point i had 10,000 acres all over the south and got it all in 2 seasons. Because i just could not get round permissions i have let % go to friends or just left it.

In the main i got permission for hunting birds of prey but that includes ferreting as in bolting rabbits so it is kind of joined at the hip.

I will say from the first appearance to the last actions and i hope at least it goes some way in helping someone.

1 Turn up if you can in a decent car preferably 4X4 but as long as it looks presentable

2 Dress accordingly as in greens and wellies or boots ( you get my drift) DO NOT turn up in camo not in the first impressions stakes maybe once you have your foot in the door

3 If you can, bring a female and not another male. You would be very surprised how the farmer game keeper relaxes as it just has that effect of not so much danger in the initial meet. Farmers are very suspicious because they have to be so this will gentle that approach. Then send her back to the car and bring the ferrets but don’t open up yet

4 Shake his hand and introduce yourself and your wife .Now make sure he IS the farmer or gamekeeper and not some stable hand who wants to put himself up a notch or two.

If not ask where you can find him. Tell owner/gamekeeper after again the greetings that you just like to go out at times and ferret warrens (no slang here just ‘Ferreting’). Here are my Ferrets and get them out of the box. If one is a bit of a nipper leave him/her in there.

5 ‘Is there anywhere we can ferret? Perhaps a small area causing problems and if so is it possible we can ferret there. Don’t make out it’s a favour to him but him giving you a favour...don’t push it!

At this point you will either get a flat no, or you might get a ring me later to see or you might get lucky with a straight yes.

Or...You might get an old ‘Charlie’ up the road might let you ferret go up there’

If it’s a phone call then give it a week and then ring leave your message and your number and if no answer try again a few days later if not leave it.

You will get more failures than successes but i have found many success’s with this relaxed pleasant enquiry.

One other thing. You can spend ages knocking on a door with no answer; the chances are they can’t hear you so try another place. This is where dress and woman helps. Every farmer has at least 1 dog but usually loads.

I have never ever been attacked by one as long as you show no fear of it. Any lurking around will not attack because of any visitors’ like the postman are catered for but the owner will be upon you or a worker soon enough.

And if you are successful give the owner a bottle of his favourite tipple at Xmas as it goes a long way..

If you can get written permission from him but unless he offers don't bother as you have your yes so get the hell out of it!!!.

There are a few other pointers but in general it’s helped me.

P S....Sadly age is a factor and the younger you are your chances diminish..

I hope it’s a pointer to helping anyone..

[lurchermann 30]

that is really good advise.

[wullieh 53]

got to agree, top tips also used the same method and scored success.

 

wullie

[Stud dog 632]

Thanks for that fella as Iam finding it very hard to get any permission hopefully this will help me thanks for the advise

[Foxhole 22]

Farmers are very suspicious and almost to the point of paranoid and if you get past that stage very pedantic with any stranger. First impressions mean much too many people but to a farmer/gamekeeper 100%.

 

Just so one point can stand out make sure you know you are talking to the farmer, i can't make this any clearer as it really might be the stable muck out just getting rid of you..

[ferretfatcamp 21]

the hard bit is finding the farmer with a rabbit problem and before anyone else beats you to it

[Foxhole 22]

Farms always have rabbit problems but it depends where they are and if so are they affecting their land. Many times it's the farmer’s garden were they keep digging up his flowers etc...LOL

Liveries usually want them as for them rabbits not creating warrens for obvious reasons.

Crops are obviously the biggest threat to the farmers.

 

Golf courses are excellent places but again there are a few Antis are around so the management are not overly keen although the further away from towns as in town members the more chance you have. If you can find a golf course on sandy ground you may have a good chance... Golf courses usually call in shoots every few months at night. As a Falconer it's much easier to get some land than others but then with some ferreters is much easier with other areas...Now this really is about first impressions as above.

 

The best way is if you can just get one permission and behave yourself and it’s always good to show the farmer/gamekeeper the catches and in time word of mouth gets around and you can build up your empire.

The last thing is this. Much land now especially in the south is big estates and it’s the farmer who pays rent to them. These estates have shoots in the game season and get quite a bit of money but the members but they have been reclining over the years so many farmers if asked to ferret or any kind of hunting may let you but at a price. I know many who are paying around £200 a year or i know one guy £500 a year. It’s the same as fishing as there are very few places to ‘FREE’ fish anywhere anymore and it’s the same in any country sport.

[foxy2000 5]

I have travelled hundreds of miles recently looking for permission,with no joy.

I am a polite as can be and explain myself clearly.i am seriously considering packing it all in.

[Country Joe 1,411]

My secret weapon is my old NHS Identity badge, and when i tell them im a retired Nurse, its seems to make a difference.

Everybody loves Nurses.

[Foxhole 22]

I have travelled hundreds of miles recently looking for permission,with no joy.

I am a polite as can be and explain myself clearly.i am seriously considering packing it all in.

Keep trying. You may have to pay for permission it's just how it is nowadays. Nothing is for free.

[Stretch177 39]

It you have permission in the same area then NAME DROP, has worked wonders for me and once you get your foot in you are laughing. I always take my young nephew with me, less suspicious than going with somebody else or even just on your own. Good advice there mate

[The one 8,457]

Once you have your first bit of permission do all that's asked of you and more then ask him to have a word with his neighbors , and if you bump into anybody name drop you might no get there permission right away but they should check up and may get back to you if they like what they hear