Many people long to find a honey hole to hunt on private land. Many private landowners - whether they hunt or not - are sick of hunters, or at least, sick of the type of hunters they've encountered.

The landowner may have met The Lazy Hunter, who waited until just before the season to ask for access; or The Trespasser, who sneaked around on private land, was caught and lied about the reason for doing so.These examples may be typical of the "hunters" that the landowner has met to date. The landowner may have never had contact with well-mannered hunters. Recognize that the effort to gain permission to hunt private land may mirror your toughest hunt, and as is common with many hunts, start at the beginning.Your "hunt" begins in choosing a farm or piece of land to hunt, and finding out who owns it. Don't limit yourself to places which are already "honey holes" - keep a mindset that should you gain access, you may be able to make improvements to the land.Your first step is to locate the landowner's name through a computer search, or if you don't have a computer, through a trip to the Recorder of Deeds office at your county courthouse.And then what should you do? Simply driving there unannounced will start you off on the wrong foot. First, you should actually write a letter, letting the landowner know about your interest in hunting the property and the type of help you're willing to provide: can you help with accounting work, unload hay wagons or help with animal care?Also describe your willingness to conduct yourself by the landowner's rules; for example, a horse farmer may not welcome rifle hunters, but accept archery hunters. State that you hope to talk to the landowner by phone or in person, and that you hope for a response from your letter (include a self-addressed, stamped envelope). Be sure to provide your name, address, home and cell phone number and email address if you have one.FIRST CONTACTIf you're fortunate enough to set up a meeting, do your best to make a great first impression. Be on time. Since the landowner may have had bad experiences with hunters, stay away from the blaze orange and camouflage for that first meeting. Don't smoke. Shake hands, make eye contact, introduce yourself and immediately thank the landowner for the meeting.DURING THE SEASONeep the landowner updated with your season. Let him know what game you've seen, and if you've been successful, offer to share the harvest.AFTER THE SEASONDon't forget the holiday card in December.When I lived in Maine, I aspired to hunt a local dairy farm. No way, hunting buddies told me, that guy hates hunters. My travels took me past the farm and I'd often seen an aged English setter on the farmhouse porch.One day, I saw the dog tottering along the shoulder of the road, steps away from entering a T intersection. I stopped, got him by the collar and gave him a ride back to the house. The dairy farmer was home and very pleased to have his dog safely returned.He didn't seem to be the hostile guy my friends had described but as soon as I asked about hunting the farm his demeanor changed. As he was relating all the wrongs hunters had done on his property over the years, I was looking down.That's when I noticed how long the grass was, and looked up at him."Do you need help with your lawn?" I asked, and hurried to plead my case. "If I could hunt here, I would cut your grass all summer long."Turns out that I'd hit pay dirt. After milking, feeding and cleaning up after the cows, the last thing he wanted to do was cut the grass. Was it a pain in the butt to trailer my mower over there and cut the grass? Yes. Did I have a farm to myself during hunting season? Yes.Somewhere, there's a piece of land you'd love to hunt, and on that piece of land, there's a chore or project that no one wants to do, or can't do alone. This is your off-season challenge - find it. It may be the most rewarding hunting you ever do.