Advice, My 1st Permission

IMHO, money means business transaction happens. Are you insured? Bonded? Liscensed? Registered as a business? 

Just a guy shooting rats vs. doing it as a business. FWIW, I prefer to keep it casual. If the landowner wants to pay a tip, thats ok.

I wouldn't ask for cash, and I have many permissions where I hunt. I would of course always let them know when I was going to be there, I do that now with a text the day or two prior, but used to phone. Initially you may want to explain your gun, pellets, and how far you will be shooting, and how quickly the pellet loses energy compared to say a .22 LR. Also, that you practice gun safety, and have a valid hunting license (if required). Talk to the owner about ensuring safe shooting and always checking in back of the target to ensure no damage is done.

You are being granted the privilege of shooting on someone else’s property, the trust gained and the access to the land are the payment. Good luck.

You are being granted the privilege of shooting on someone else’s property, the trust gained and the access to the land are the payment. Good luck.

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What centercut said and I also ask them if they would like me to shoot my gun so they can see how loud it isn’t, and offer to let them shoot it if they’d like. 

And what L.Leon said about gaining the trust of the farmer. To me it is an honor to be granted the privilege to hunt pests on their property. 

What the others said 

90+% of these smaller farms can't afford to pay anything. They won't consider their pest problem serious enough to warrant paying. 

If you bring up any kind of cost, it will be an instant turn off and the answer will be No. Do it for the enjoyment and never take a shot that will risk injury to their animals.

My first permission quickly turned into 5. By the end of one year I had 18.....I now have 22. Farmers are very generous.....they might pay you in "goods". I get free steaks and potatoes on a regular basis. Also access to lands to hunt coyotes, crows, geese and deer on.

When I offer my services for the first time, if I'm asked why I do it at no cost, I always say that pest control is an extension of my hobby as well as a way of giving back to farmers who work hard to provide the country with food.....help reduce their losses of grain and illness to their animals.

Works every time.

I would love to get paid to shoot pests but i would never ask. I think it's just great that they let us do this for them. It does both of us a favor.

I work for a farm equipment dealer and have seen first hand the damage these birds do. Two tractors this spring caught fire because of bird nests in the engine compartments. One was $15,000 in damage and the other was $3000. So I know those guys hate starlings for sure.

Coons are another problem especially in combines as they lay up in the radiator area and when they start them up it takes out the fan, shroud , radiator , oil cooler etc. Usually about $10,000 on the newer machines.

One thing I do is always make a point to talk to them in person and show them my guns and how they shoot, how loud they are etc. Usually only takes the first time and after that it's an open invitation. Never been turned down yet. Some are truly interested in my guns, as they haven't seen air rifles like these pcp's and what they can do. Had one guy thinking about buying himself one. 

Another time while I was talking to the owner a bunch of starlings landed and he pointed them out, probably about 30 yards away. I lined up on them and dropped three with the one shot. He started laughing and shaking his head. He just couldn't believe it. Said to come back anytime, no need to ask anymore.

Yep, they love it. 

All but three of mine are open invitation to come anytime I want and as often as I want until the pests are gone. No notice needed, just show up. 

I've spent an entire day, from sunrise to sunset, at a single farm many times......they love the dedication.

First thing is to focus on safety around the animals and make them aware that it's #1 priority to make safe shots. When shooting rats indoors especially we usually encounter water lines, electrical lines, lights and things that we need to be very careful around. I would say nothing wrong with asking for some support with pellets, usually most farmers and ranchers are open to helping with that. As far as payments beyond that I think we need to think about how nice it is to go and have a place to pest, sometimes I almost feel willing to pay them. lol Best advice from my experience is to just make them feel comfortable and listen to their concerns. 

What the others said 

90+% of these smaller farms can't afford to pay anything. They won't consider their pest problem serious enough to warrant paying. 

If you bring up any kind of cost, it will be an instant turn off and the answer will be No. Do it for the enjoyment and never take a shot that will risk injury to their animals.

My first permission quickly turned into 5. By the end of one year I had 18.....I now have 22. Farmers are very generous.....they might pay you in "goods". I get free steaks and potatoes on a regular basis. Also access to lands to hunt coyotes, crows, geese and deer on.

When I offer my services for the first time, if I'm asked why I do it at no cost, I always say that pest control is an extension of my hobby as well as a way of giving back to farmers who work hard to provide the country with food.....help reduce their losses of grain and illness to their animals.

Works every time.

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Absolutely nailed it! I have been turned down once. But, come to find out, it’s an ex-girlfriends grandfather. He asked around about me and even talked to a couple of my other permissions, all of which gave great reviews, and he still axed me. Haha  

Everyone has great info. No to payment. I still call or text a few days ahead of time just to be courteous and make sure there aren't any events that may shut your shooting own. Safety of their animals and property are #1.

I like to show them my air rifle(s) and how they shoot. Sometimes they even take a few shots and all have been amazed. I also ask if there are any problem areas they would like you to concentrate on.

Good luck.

... offer free pest control when i can , they usually at least take me to eat... buy a pelletgun , unless their spouse was upset about being close to killin.. it's not usually a one-day deal tho, and they usually pay expenses, at least.... lowe's pays well ($75 per grackle-poopter up north) .. prolly under the table tho... feral cats pay good... coons (and if you have a trapping liscense , sell the aminal for the pelt - used the be $30/ each) .. did you know several older folks in the ridglea area here were paying $100 for these squirrles to live trapped ( and betcha dude was letting them out around the corner )........ everytime they pop a squirrel with these crosman 2400pcpx rigs , they save $100 .......... now the guy i used to work from his framing shop to fix airguns has ten for ten with the .177 vortek hw50s he has... all squirrel head shots........ you might sneak by with sub 12ftlb .177 in the "chicken ranch" tho, holes in tin and walls............... i'm glad the deer around here arent numerous, plant-eating pests, tho........ i'd dang surecharge to dispatch that much weight , but with a legal 200ftlb pcp ( and silenced) one can do that here in texas now , outside city limits (almost)..... possums eat the cats food around here - i live rt on top / over I-30 west... - paul.

What the others said 

90+% of these smaller farms can't afford to pay anything. They won't consider their pest problem serious enough to warrant paying. 

If you bring up any kind of cost, it will be an instant turn off and the answer will be No. Do it for the enjoyment and never take a shot that will risk injury to their animals.

My first permission quickly turned into 5. By the end of one year I had 18.....I now have 22. Farmers are very generous.....they might pay you in "goods". I get free steaks and potatoes on a regular basis. Also access to lands to hunt coyotes, crows, geese and deer on.

When I offer my services for the first time, if I'm asked why I do it at no cost, I always say that pest control is an extension of my hobby as well as a way of giving back to farmers who work hard to provide the country with food.....help reduce their losses of grain and illness to their animals.

Works every time.

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Kudos for a great post and a great attitude! Though I only pest on my own property, farmers should love to hear this. Great PR for pesting and airgunners too.