This is the gateway. The overview of how you go from “I want to hunt” to “I’ve got properties to hunt on.” The full playbook is in the Landowner Access Guide.
Finding land access is the single biggest challenge for bowhunters in Western Australia. Everyone wants it. Very few people know how to get it properly. The blokes and women who do well at this aren’t lucky — they’re methodical, respectful, and they frame the conversation around pest control, not recreation. You set the rules. We make sure they’re followed. That’s the pitch. That’s the reality.
Here’s the high-level process. The Landowner Access Guide goes into serious detail on each step, but this gives you the shape of it.
Start by working out where the pests are. The South West is ground zero for feral pig damage. The Wheatbelt is fox country. Use Google Maps satellite view to identify farm boundaries, look for crops and water sources that attract pests, and check community Facebook groups for reports of feral animal sightings. DPIRD pest reports are another solid source.
You’re looking for working farms with active pest problems — not hobby blocks, not lifestyle properties. Farmers who are losing money to pigs, foxes, or deer are motivated to say yes to help.
Phone is best. A cold call might feel uncomfortable, but it works better than emails or messages that get ignored. You’re not asking for hunting access — you’re offering free pest control. “G’day, my name’s [name], I’m a bowhunter with the ABA. I reckon you might have a pig problem out your way and I’d like to help.”
Lead with what you can do for them. Insurance, ethics, professionalism. Your ABA membership and the insurance that comes with it is your credibility. The guide covers exactly what to say and how to handle objections.
If the call goes well, the next step is a face-to-face visit. Drive out, meet the farmer, look at the property. Let them show you where the damage is, where the animals are coming from, where they don’t want you going. Take notes. Ask questions. Be genuinely interested in their operation — because you should be.
This visit is more important than people think. It’s where trust starts. Dress neat, be on time, shake their hand, and listen more than you talk. Landowners appreciate someone who takes the time to understand their situation.
Your first couple of visits set the tone. Follow every rule they gave you. Report back after each visit. Mention anything you noticed on the property — broken fence, water issue, stock that looked off. This is where our code of conduct kicks in. Every point on that list exists because it matters in the real world.
A good first impression on the property is worth more than a dozen phone calls. Get the legal side sorted before you go out — written permission, understanding of what you can and can’t take.
The hard part isn’t getting access. It’s keeping it. Stay in touch between visits. Send a text around lambing or calving to ask if they need extra pest control. Drop off a slab at Christmas. Bring the kids out to see the farm. Be a person, not just a service.
When you’ve built genuine trust with one landowner, they’ll recommend you to their neighbours. That’s how access grows. Not through ads or cold calls — through reputation.
This page is the overview. The Landowner Access Guide is the full thing — word-for-word scripts for the first call, objection handling, property visit checklists, permission form templates, and everything we learned from months of doing this ourselves. It’s free. No catch. Just knowledge from WA bowhunters who’ve been through the process.
Read the Landowner Access GuideThis is critical and a lot of people get it wrong. You’re not asking a farmer for “hunting access.” You’re offering free pest control. The difference matters. A farmer who says no to “can I hunt on your land?” might say yes to “I can help with your pig problem at no cost.”
Under the BAM Act, landowners have obligations to manage declared pests. You’re helping them meet those obligations. That’s the framing. Pigs cost millions. Foxes take lambs. Deer are declared pests. You’re offering a quiet, free, effective solution. Landowners appreciate that framing because it respects their situation.
The guide is free. The community is free. Just a bunch of WA bowhunters helping each other out. No gatekeeping, no fees.
guide
A practical field guide to finding private land access for bowhunting in Western Australia. Where to look, how to approach landowners, and how to keep access long-term.
Read morelandowners
Dealing with feral pigs, foxes, deer or rabbits on your property? We connect WA landowners with vetted, ethical bowhunters for free pest control.
Read morelearn
New to bowhunting in Western Australia? What you need, where to start, and how to go from the range to the bush.
Read morelearn
The code every ethical bowhunter in WA should follow. Shot placement, property respect, and why doing it right matters for everyone.
Read more