How did you all find a place to hunt?

[teddy12b]

Hey guys.  The last couple years I've been hunting the same place and we've never seen a lot of deer.  Last season we didn't see any and neither did the trail camera's during legal hunting hours.  The year before we saw about 4 between the two of us.  I need to find a new place to go hunting and was curious if any of you had any great ideas on how to do that.  Around here, if the place is worth hunting there's likely already somebody there, or they hunt it themselves.  I've looked at buying land but around here it's so expensive it's just not an option at this point in my life.  I'd consider a lease, but don't know where to look. 

Anyone here have any great ideas or recommendations?

[Lon371]

 Around here, I got lucky. I live next to a true general store. Local farmers hang out once in a while. Most of them HATE deer. Between the crops getting eaten and the cars getting crashed, they would let us hunt all year if we wanted (we dont, it is illegal) Sorry had to put the disclaimer in there.

 There are sites that advertise properties for lease. They are usually a little high. If you have a tractor supply or equipment store around you may go there to inquire. If they have a bulletin board, you may post up you are looking. Maybe a small add in the local paper.

Lonny

[Dinny]

My family owns land and have previously rented 200 acres where they lived before. We still have permission to hunt there.

I like Lonny's suggestions.  Maybe try advertising coyote hunting then working into deer hunting after you have established good rapport with the landowners.

Most everyone hates coyotes, they're just plain evil.....

Thanks, Dinny

[Swift One]

I generally get land by asking if I can hunt the preds and varmints.  After a year or two hunting them, I then ask about deer and turkey.  By then they know me, I have saved some livestock from yotes and farm equipment from GHog pits, and they have entrusted me.

However, I have gotten permission to hunt some game species right off the bat.  A good tactic that has worked for me is to walk right up to them when they are harvesting there crops.  I have always had good luck with them wanting to take a break and talk for a few.  I've gotten some good land that way.  Also, try and look at platt map books.  Go to the index and see which land owners in your area have the biggest tracts of land.  You just might get lucky and get access to hundreds if not thousands of acres by knocking on one door.