How to approach

[porchdawg]

I have had my eye on an old antebellum home in my area about circa 1850. The home is now up for sale. I want to get permission to hunt it and have even created a letter of request. The owners are older generation. He was or still is a lawyer. I found out from a real estate friend of mine they request the property to be shown by appointment and they must be pre-qualified. My questions are what would be the best way to approach this couple and convince them to let me search their property. Should I offer to split any find with them if the agree, and finally where would be the best place to begin searching? The property incompases about 5 acres, it is farm land and woods

[PAPPY]

You have kind of a unique situation concerning this place to hunt. It sounds like the owners are very particular. I have found in the past that the best way to gain permission to hunt is JUST ASK. Go meet the couple and introduce yourself and tell them of you desires. You have a 50/50 chance either way. I doubt that they will let you hunt the main yards BUT you can always ask about the surrounding property. Ask if there used to be buildings on the property, If the fields were used for farming and if there used to be any buildings around in the woods. You never can tell what people are going to allow you to do as far as metal detecting goes. I would simply meet the people and engage them in conversation and ask.
Leave the splitting part as a last resort....PAPPY

P.S. Make sure to dwell on your Code Of Ethics and assure them that no damage will be done to the property....PAPPY

[NB Digger]

I have always found that if I do a little research on the property that I then have something to talk with them about. It shows that i have a REAL interest in thier land and not just digging holes. This is always a good ice breaker for conversation too. They may then be willing to divulge the other interesting facts and places about the property as well.
Good luck and happy hunting.
Travis

[porchdawg]

Well I did the direct approach thing with the owner of the farm house I am going to search. It worked rather well. I thanked her after ploting the property to determine where things were. She was extremly nice and I asked if there were any problems with my returning during the week and weekends. She said help my self. Of course it may not have hurt to have my grandson with me also.

Are there any plans for a planned hunt for members of treasure quest? Something in the spring would be nice to let everyone meet face to face and really seal the deal on this family. What are the thoughts of everyone else out there.