Thanking Landowners for permission

[nycoyote]

I figured i would put this post up and see how people thank the landowners who allow us the opportunity to pursue our passion to trap. For me personally , I like to give gift cards to some of the larger dairy farm owners that give me a ton of land access. Some of the smaller land owners I stop back after season to thank them and offer to help them out anytime they need me in the off season. Truly I wish I had the money to give all of them all a gift card of some sort to thank them but trapping doesn't pay enough:)) 
At the moment I'm putting a thank you letter together to send to all landowners. This is the first time I have ever done it this way. Each year I gain more permission and with my job and young kids it seems harder to get time to reach them all.

So what are everyone thoughts? How do you handle thanking your landowners?

Thanks

[trappnman]

Many of my farms are also gopher farms, so I see and talk to them quite regular.

The others, I stop and see in late august, Sept- I've trapped them enough so that if they aren't home- I'll leave a card. I may or may not run into them during the season.

I do thank them in person when I see them, and most say no, thank you.

Honestly, unless you really know what you are doing, most farmers don't want your help. its "helping too much" if you know what I mean.

I think with my farmers, its an equal relationship- I'm doing them a favor, they are doing one for me.

I no longer seek new permissions- all I can do to run what I have now- but do pick up a few farms each year to replace the ones I drop- but seldom looking, most all offered- last year, picked up 3 farms I caught coyotes at, simply because they heard about me, and stopped me along the road.

I don't think it matters how you thank landowners, as long as you do

I too would be curious as how others do it

[braveheart]

I give out thank you cards that has a picture of a pile of coyotes or beaver. Most of my farmers don't like anything that digs a hole or eats their crops get rid of it. I trap for about 100 farmers got rid of some not so good places this last year. Some farmers I get permission by e-mail they are so far away.
Already scouted out a brand new line for this year with some permission already.

[RdFx]

To verbally or thank you cards are a plus in keeping permission and good word of mouth about you with landowners. THe trapper is doing a svc just like a doctor, plumber when trapper is qualified. Do not pay to access land to trap........when a landowner gives you permission, respect it. One bad word about you from one landowner travels fast, faster than a good word. Here in Wisconsin the APHIS has raised their fee to $800 per county for control work.... gives you and idea of somewhat your services are worth....

[bblwi]

I send out an annual newsletter each year right after Labor Day. I used to do two, but dropped the spring one. On there is a short dialog of the last season with catches, sales etc. and new ideas for the coming year. I also include on the back a pasted copy of the seasons for the species I will be trapping that year. At the top of the letter is name, address, both phone numbers, e-mail address and vehicle used with license plate etc. I find very few of the farmers at home in the modern world of larger scale dairy farming. The newsletter goes over well and I get a few new calls each year. I will knock on more doors this year as I will expand my into the farm trapping more as I am getting better at planning my 4-wheeler line and with some changes in running the trap line I want to connect some of my properties with adjoining property and cover a mile or two of fields with one stop. More canine emphasis this year too.
To send out 50 newsletters cost about $30. I do have about 12 I stop to see personally every year as we still talk cows and farming a lot yet today.

Bryce

[nycoyote]

All good information here.

[Griz]

I send out 2 letters per year. The first one is a thank-you for permission for the upcoming season. This letter has my phone number, address, vehicle description, and some general information about my scouting activities and activities during the season.

The second letter is after the season and is a report of my harvest on the landowner's property. This letter also indicates that I will be contacting them later concerning permission for the next year.

Additionally, I visit many of my landowners face-to-face during the year as I run into them.

[K-zoo]

I send out Christmas cards every year to landowners with a thank you included. A pack of venison or some bluegill filets can also be given if you have some extra.

[trappnman]

I don't see anything wrong with doing more than I do- but I feel its more of a professional type relationship for me-

I'm a guy that does custom work for them- and its that kind of relationship first, and I am friens with many other the years.

I do touch base with most during the year, and do leave my card and what I did the year before if no one home. A few ask me to let them know before I leave what I did, and I do that. If I get a good pic of one-scenic and all that- I'll make a copy and give it the next year- but thats rare.

odd story- ran for local school board a few years back- lost- but got all 84 votes from 1 rural township I trap a lot in. I'm their "local" lol