gun dreams

[Steve]

I've found that farmers really value an extra pair of hands occasionally, so be prepared to offer a couple of days work and you're more likely to get permission to shoot. I cracked a really hard nut back in Kent - 300 acres just 50yds from my front door - by offering a hand to fit some fenceposts where local yobs had been taking mini-motorbikes onto the fields.

If that's not an option then don't be afraid to travel to somewhere a bit more remote - I had 1000+ acres shoot on the Isle of Sheppey - and have a really good look at the land. If you can see that the crops have been stripped near the hedgerows ( tip - look at places where the hedge/road is raised above the level of the field ) then use that as an intro, " I noticed you are losing a lot of crop to rabbits in that field ". The farmer will have noticed too, but they are often suspicious people, so " If you need some help with that......." and leave a card with your name, address, phone number, insurance details. Be polite, they're often older and from a more polite generation, don't go dressed like Rambo. Don't press for an answer there and then, it'll probably be "No", so make an offer to help, leave your card, and wish them good day.