Is door knocking still OK?

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Frithy

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Is it still OK to go door knocking these days?

I’m trying to find some permissions for vermin/pest control just with an air rifle whilst I wait for my FAC application. I used to shoot on my local golf course but a new green keeper brought on a new shooter and ended that.

I’ve tried sending out a few letters but no luck so far. I’ve been a bit apprehensive to head out knocking on doors with all that’s going on, you never know how others will receive a stranger at the door during these times.

Opinions welcome.

Thanks!
 
I’ve never really understood this, if some random came to my door, however polite they may be, and said “can I come and shoot on your land” there would be only one answer.
There is so much trust involved, I find it amazing that this method alone can work, word of mouth, getting known (for the right reasons), all have to be preferable. I wouldn’t personally waste my time door knocking. Never mind the current implications you’re eluding to, personally if you’re going to door knock you may as well put a polite note through with a number for them to contact if they want to. Probably better in the circumstances.
 
deerstalker.308 said:
I’ve never really understood this, if some random came to my door, however polite they may be, and said “can I come and shoot on your land” there would be only one answer.
There is so much trust involved, I find it amazing that this method alone can work, word of mouth, getting known (for the right reasons), all have to be preferable. I wouldn’t personally waste my time door knocking. Never mind the current implications you’re eluding to, personally if you’re going to door knock you may as well put a polite note through with a number for them to contact if they want to. Probably better in the circumstances.
Click to expand...
I tend to agree with you.

The hardest part seems to be getting your foot in the door. I’m not from the country or in any type of those circles so word of mouth can only come further down the line.
 
Frithy said:
I tend to agree with you.

The hardest part seems to be getting your foot in the door. I’m not from the country or in any type of those circles so word of mouth can only come further down the line.
Click to expand...
There are other avenues, go beating etc, get involved, you’ve said yourself you aren’t in those circles but why not change that??
 
Frithy said:
I tend to agree with you.

The hardest part seems to be getting your foot in the door. I’m not from the country or in any type of those circles so word of mouth can only come further down the line.
Click to expand...
I have knocked on a few doors for pigeons when there was plenty of them on rape and laid wheat/barley as it is something the farmer will be aware off.
One guy said Fred comes at weekends...so I went past at the weekend no Fred went back on monday...yes can you go please lol

Know the crop and don't turn up dressed like Rambo lol

Worth a punt in my books
 
In my experience it’s always worth a go. To meet in person is always better than sending a letter.
Best approach is to be polite but not necessarily ask outright if you can ‘go shooting on the land’ - better to adopt the approach of ‘I’ve been passing and noticed that…..’ with whatever that leads to. If you’ve seen rabbits then tell them you’ve seen rabbits particularly if they’re on/near crops. Get your crops right, show an interest and find a common ground.
If you have no luck in the first instance then offer to leave your number for the future if they need your assistance. You’ll find when you pick up one farm you’ll get others in the area but it takes time.
I’ve found that sort of approach has worked for me in the past.
Oh and avoid busy times of day for farmers- mornings are a no go and definitely don’t try on a Sunday.
Best of luck
 
deerstalker.308 said:
There are other avenues, go beating etc, get involved,
Click to expand...

Tried that. Spent three seasons at a local estate. Proved my reliability.

At the end of season #1 I threw my hat in to help with vermin control. Came the reply: "that would be useful, I cannot do feeders at 04:00 and foxes at 23:00..."

No call.

Season #2 had a similar conversation.

Season #3 they hired an underkeeper to help with chores, including vermin.

So...wasted 3 seasons building up rapport. And it is not as though I did not put my cards on the table.

Since then I did land a permission through a schoolday friend of my wife. It really does seem that word of mouth/relationship is top trumps.
 
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Frithy said:
If I get no reply to the latest round of letters I may have to give door knocking a go, I guess the worst they can do is say no.
Click to expand...
I would be wary of encouraging anyone to actually knock on someone's door to be honest but if you were to notice a farmer working on the land and approach him/her then that would be a completely different kettle of fish and might prove more productive. From my personal experience farmers work long hard hours and when they do get to rest and relax at home they are entitled to switch off and relax without having some surprise visitor upsetting the dogs and possibly the household.

Catch them outdoors when they can clearly see you approaching and have a face to face chat would be my advice.
 
I've had good success from calling phone numbers, never door knocking.

Get numbers of local farms off Google, as they are businesses most have phone numbers in the public domain. Real easy, open up Google maps, go to the rough area you want to find a permission in, type in "farm" to the search bar, and then you will get results of farms on the left hand side. Click through and find ones that have a number available and give them a call.

BE EXTRA POLITE! Start the conversation with hello, apologise quickly for cold-calling and tell them your name IMMEDIATELY. Say you are a local shooter wondering if they have use of someone controlling vermin around the farm. If they say no, then thank them for their time, say good bye and don't bother them anymore. Keep a record of who you've called so you don't call them again.

I've never had a farmer hang up on me and most have been quite pleasant to talk to. Maybe 1 in 10, 20 will say yes, come on down to have a chat
 
JMikeyH said:
I've had good success from calling phone numbers, never door knocking.

Get numbers of local farms off Google, as they are businesses most have phone numbers in the public domain. Real easy, open up Google maps, go to the rough area you want to find a permission in, type in "farm" to the search bar, and then you will get results of farms on the left hand side. Click through and find ones that have a number available and give them a call.

BE EXTRA POLITE! Start the conversation with hello, apologise quickly for cold-calling and tell them your name IMMEDIATELY. Say you are a local shooter wondering if they have use of someone controlling vermin around the farm. If they say no, then thank them for their time, say good bye and don't bother them anymore. Keep a record of who you've called so you don't call them again.

I've never had a farmer hang up on me and most have been quite pleasant to talk to. Maybe 1 in 10, 20 will say yes, come on down to have a chat
Click to expand...
Thanks for that, some sound advice and I’ll give this a go. Is there a good time to call? 😂
 
Tim.243 said:
I have knocked on a few doors for pigeons when there was plenty of them on rape and laid wheat/barley as it is something the farmer will be aware off.
One guy said Fred comes at weekends...so I went past at the weekend no Fred went back on monday...yes can you go please lol

Know the crop and don't turn up dressed like Rambo lol

Worth a punt in my books
Click to expand...
Door knocking does work but as Tim says it needs to be timed right and also better if you strike up a conversation about something else first. As you're looking to shoot with an air rifle try stables and places with horses that you can chat to and then mention about horses and rabbit holes etc. I used to get plenty of stables by asking if I could dig through the muck pile for worms for fishing then while there ask about rabbit shooting.
 
Just have the courtesy to have latex gloves on & stood back when door opened. Let them know you take care of pidgeons/pests etc as a free service as you pass them your insurance to read mentioning you only use air rifle as you give it to them. Happy to work time around them as best suited should it be of any use to them
 
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