The Hunt Many Times, Good Manners Are As Important As Good Aim For Hunters Who Are Looking To Bag Their Limit

In an age when pheasant-hunting opportunities appear to have all but vanished to clean farming, exclusive clubs and “No Trespassing” painted on old truck tires, Vic Tatar has sweet-talked his way into cornucopias of ringnecks and more.

His photo albums brim with feathers, fur and antlers.

His larder is loaded with pheasants, quail, rabbits, ducks, geese, antelope, elk, deer and wild turkeys.

He can’t understand why so many hunters bellyache about inhospitable landowners, crowded public lands and poor hunting.

“I do all my hunting on private land,” said Tatar, a 29-year-old Coloradan.

His method starts with the popular bumper sticker: “Ask First to Hunt and Fish on Private Land.”

Nine of 10 ranchers or farmers say no for one reason or another, he said. The 10th is a diamond in the rough.

In his naturally cheerful, optimistic manner, Tatar has been polishing each of his abundant hunter/ landowner relationships since he was 16 and first driving. He follows up with visits, calls, cards and gifts all year.

“I buy them a big turkey, wine and roses for the wife. I will send them a Lotto ticket in the mail.”

How corny is that? Not very, considering the reactions of his generous hosts. One farmer recently called Tatar and asked if he’d drawn a deer tag for that unit.

“I told him I did,” Tatar said.

“Good,” the farmer said. “because I’m looking at three big bucks.”

Most hunters make the mistake of not building relationships with landowners for the long term. Too many people show up only during hunting season, hunt without asking or ask once and assume they have permanent permission.

Landowners like to be appreciated. Tatar showers them with warmth. He charms them because he truly appreciates them. Of course it helps that he is an exuberant Type A with heaps of charisma.

“It opens the door to so much,” he said. “After you get to know them, they open up to you. It leads to other landowners and more hunting opportunities.

“I don’t have to pay them any money to hunt, and they would let other people hunt if they would ask first and show them some appreciation.”