My Work to Hunt program is a necessary and very important of my hunting activities. When close to receiving permission to hunt a property, I remind the landowner that I am INSURED, I NEVER shoot towards any buildings or livestock, I will be on the lookout for anything on the property that seems out of place, and I will help them on the property if they need a hand!!
I also advise that since they have given me permission to hunt, I am obligated, and ALWAYS offer, to help out on their farm, etc. if they need assistance. I have baled hay, done chores, hooked up TV's to cable, removed recyclables and offered whatever talents I have to pay them back for allowing me to be on their property. Many times they ask nothing of me, but I ALWAYS offer!! This makes for good relations, and also gives you collateral to hunt another farm ("Well, since Joe Smith has given you the ok, I guess it's all right with me, too") I can't count how many times this has happened to me, and I will recount a quick story:
I have permission to hunt a 150 acre dairy farm, and was out one night in December calling for fox and yotes. A cow broke through the fence, and I lit it up in the field with my predator light. My hunt ended right there, and as I was heading to my car a neighbor had stopped by to drop off Christmas presents. He inquired what I was hunting, and I mentioned predators. I told him that a cow was out and to tell the owner. He said, "You stopped hunting because of that?" I said, "Yes, I didn't want any accidents with the livestock, so I'm going somewhere else." He stated that if I was going to be that honest of a hunter I could hunt his place next door.....90 more acres........
BEING SAFE PAYS!!!!! WORK TO HUNT PAYBACK!!!!!