Door Knocking vs. Mailing: Which Works Better for Hunting Permission?

 When it comes to securing permission to hunt private land, hunters typically choose between two approaches: knocking on doors or sending letters. Both methods have their place, but understanding when and how to use each can dramatically improve your success rate.

The Door Knocking Approach

Door knocking is the traditional method most hunters learned from fathers, grandfathers, or hunting mentors. There's something appealing about the direct, personal approach.

Advantages of Door Knocking:

Immediate Response: You'll know right away whether the answer is yes, no, or maybe. No waiting period or uncertainty.

Personal Connection: Face-to-face interaction allows you to read body language, show your personality, and build rapport immediately.

Clarification: You can answer questions on the spot and address concerns in real time.

Local Knowledge: Landowners often share valuable information about their property, wildlife patterns, or neighboring areas.

Flexibility: You can adjust your approach based on their response and potentially negotiate terms immediately.

Disadvantages of Door Knocking:

Timing Issues: You might catch them at a bad time—during dinner, family time, or when they're dealing with farm emergencies.

Pressure Situations: Some landowners feel pressured to give an immediate answer when put on the spot.

Safety Concerns: In today's world, unexpected visitors make many people nervous, especially in rural areas.

Multiple Trips: If they're not home, you need to make multiple attempts, which costs time and gas.

Weather Dependent: Bad weather makes door knocking unpleasant for everyone involved.

The Letter/Mail Approach

Mailing permission requests has gained popularity as hunters recognize its advantages over cold calling on strangers.

Advantages of Mailing:

Convenience for Landowners: They can read and consider your request on their own timeline without feeling pressured.

Professional Appearance: A well-written letter demonstrates seriousness and organization.

Reference Document: They can keep your letter, share it with family, and refer to your contact information later.

No Interruption: You're not disrupting their daily routine or showing up during inappropriate times.

Legal Protection: Written communication creates a paper trail that protects both parties.

Geographic Reach: You can contact landowners who live far from their hunting property.

Disadvantages of Mailing:

Delayed Response: You might wait weeks for a response, if you get one at all.

Impersonal: Letters lack the personal touch that can build immediate rapport.

Easy to Ignore: Letters can end up in the trash without consideration.

One-Way Communication: You can't address questions or concerns until they contact you back.

Postal Delays: Slow mail delivery can affect timing, especially close to hunting season.

Success Rates: What the Data Shows

While formal studies are limited, experienced hunters report interesting patterns:

Door Knocking Success Rates:

  • Generally 15-25% success rate for permission
  • Higher success in smaller, rural communities where people know each other
  • Better results when you have local connections or references
  • More effective for younger hunters who seem less threatening

Letter Success Rates:

  • Typically 10-20% response rate, with 60-70% of responses being positive
  • Higher success rates when letters are professional and specific
  • Better results when sent well before hunting season
  • More effective for larger properties with absentee landowners

When to Choose Door Knocking

Best Situations for Door Knocking:

  • Small, local properties where you might know the landowner
  • When you have a mutual connection or reference
  • Properties where you've seen the landowner around (at feed stores, local events)
  • When time is short and hunting season is approaching
  • In tight-knit rural communities where your reputation is known
  • When the property is clearly the landowner's primary residence

Door Knocking Success Tips:

  • Visit during appropriate hours (late morning or early evening on weekends)
  • Dress neatly but not formally—clean hunting clothes work well
  • Bring references or contact information for other landowners
  • Be prepared with specific information about your hunting plans
  • Have a business card or written contact information to leave behind

When to Choose Mailing

Best Situations for Mailing:

  • Large properties with absentee landowners
  • When you don't know the landowner personally
  • Properties owned by businesses or corporations
  • When you're requesting permission far in advance
  • If you're not comfortable with face-to-face sales situations
  • When targeting multiple properties in different areas

Mailing Success Tips:

  • Send letters 2-3 months before hunting season
  • Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for easy response
  • Use quality paper and professional formatting
  • Include a simple response card with yes/no/contact me options
  • Follow up with one polite phone call if you don't hear back

Hybrid Approaches

Many successful hunters combine both methods strategically:

Letter First, Then Visit: Send a letter introducing yourself, then follow up with a door visit if you don't hear back. This gives them advance notice of your interest and makes the visit less intrusive.

Door Knock with Letter: Stop by briefly to introduce yourself and leave a detailed letter. This combines personal contact with the convenience of written information they can review later.

Seasonal Relationship Building: Use letters for initial contact, then visit periodically throughout the year to maintain relationships and help with property maintenance.

Modern Technology Integration

Today's hunters can enhance both approaches with technology:

For Door Knocking:

  • Use OnX Hunt to verify you're at the right property
  • Research the landowner's name beforehand
  • Bring printed maps showing exactly where you want to hunt
  • Use your phone to show references or credentials

For Mailing:

  • Research accurate mailing addresses through online property records
  • Include printed satellite images of the specific area you want to hunt
  • Provide QR codes linking to your hunting credentials or references
  • Send emails as follow-up to mailed letters

Cultural and Regional Considerations

Different regions have different norms and expectations:

Rural Agricultural Areas:

  • Door knocking is often more accepted and expected
  • Farmers appreciate direct, honest communication
  • Best times are often early morning or evening during slow periods

Suburban/Exurban Areas:

  • Letters are generally preferred over unexpected visits
  • Landowners may be less familiar with hunting culture
  • Professional approach and liability discussions are more important

Hunting-Heavy Regions:

  • Landowners may have established preferences from past experience
  • Competition for permission is higher, making differentiation important
  • Reputation and references matter more than approach method

Making Your Choice

The best approach depends on your situation:

Choose Door Knocking If:

  • You're comfortable talking to strangers
  • You have local connections or references
  • The property is clearly a primary residence
  • You need permission quickly
  • You're targeting smaller, local properties

Choose Mailing If:

  • You're targeting multiple properties efficiently
  • The landowner lives far from the hunting property
  • You prefer written communication
  • You're planning well ahead of season
  • You're more comfortable with written presentation

Consider Professional Services If:

  • You want to contact many properties efficiently
  • You're not comfortable with either approach
  • You lack time to research and write letters
  • You want professional-quality presentation

Services like Hunt-Pass.com handle the entire letter process—research, writing, printing, and mailing—so you can focus on hunting preparation while still getting the benefits of the mailing approach.

Building Long-Term Success

Regardless of your initial approach, long-term success comes from building genuine relationships:

Follow Through:

  • Honor all commitments you make during initial contact
  • Provide updates on your hunting success and wildlife observations
  • Offer help with property maintenance throughout the year

Communication:

  • Send thank-you notes after successful hunts
  • Share photos of harvested game if the landowner is interested
  • Keep them informed of any issues you notice on their property

Respect:

  • Follow all rules and restrictions exactly
  • Leave the property better than you found it
  • Respect their privacy and family time

Both door knocking and mailing can be effective for securing hunting permission. The key is choosing the right approach for your situation, executing it professionally, and building genuine relationships that last for years. Whether you prefer the personal touch of door knocking or the convenience of mailing, success comes from respecting landowners and demonstrating that you're the kind of hunter they want on their property.

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