What's the protocol for approaching a country house? (Athol: houses, buying)

[Rogdog]

We just moved to the Athol area from San Diego. We don't know anybody here. Though I lived in a rural area where I grew up, nobody had gates in front of their property. Here, houses are set back from the road and there's usually a gate near the road, containing dogs or livestock. We don't have one, anybody could walk right up to our front door and ring (I kinda wish sombody would.)

What are you supposed to do if you wanted to meet your neighbor? Folks wave as they drive by, I guess that means they're friendly but nobody stops to chat. It's pretty cold and folks are not out and about for a bump into. I don't want to breach somebody's security perimeter if that's going to irritate them. What's the correct protocol?

Thanks

[KTMMan]

Approach the house with both hands in the air, one carrying a white flag, the other holding a fresh baked apple pie.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

LOL, KTMman!
Rogdog, we usually drive up to the house (close the gate behind you!!!) , stop, and wait for the 3-4 dogs to simmer down, and for the folks to emerge. Smile, wave, roll down the window, tell them who you are and that you just want to introduce yourselves. Ask if the dogs are friendly! Then, if your neighbors are like ours, they'll welcome you. Maybe ask you in, maybe not, but that first encounter should break the ice. Don't expect them to come to you first--they'll respect your privacy. One of our neighbors showed up with a lawnmower 1/2 hour after we'd met, and mowed our entire driveway and clearing. No, you can't borrow him!

Also, it doesn't hurt to tell them to call on you if there's anything you can help out with. They're likely to bring that up first, but it'll show them you intend to be a good neighbor. And if you end up getting along, they're likely to invite you to their church. That's when you need to be diplomatic, in case it isn't your choice of church, or you're not religious...

[Rogdog]

Thanks guys. Where do you buy fresh baked pies around here? Just kidding.

Just so I'm clear. The gate is to contain the critters and it's kosher to open it as long as I keep the critters in? By "set back" I meant a few hundred feet. It's not really driving distance and you can see it from the house. Would a honk and wait at the gate be preferable?

[mistyriver]

I would never open a closed gate and honestly, I'd be pretty irritated if someone opened mine (if it were closed) and came on in.

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Originally Posted by mistyriverranch

I would never open a closed gate and honestly, I'd be pretty irritated if someone opened mine (if it were closed) and came on in.

Warning-forget the dog, beware of Redhead!

[RamblinRoseRanch]

Originally Posted by mistyriverranch

I would never open a closed gate and honestly, I'd be pretty irritated if someone opened mine (if it were closed) and came on in.

Ditto. I'm from (and in) the south and even we don't do this here. Hmm... maybe a card or a small goodie tied to the outside of the gate, weather permitting, of course, with your contact info?

[fearnofish]

Originally Posted by mistyriverranch

I would never open a closed gate and honestly, I'd be pretty irritated if someone opened mine (if it were closed) and came on in.

We approach all sorts of land owners houses during our pre-season scouting trips and during hunting season. If the gate is closed we use our discretion whether to enter. Most of the time we will enter and make sure the gate is closed. When we pull up to the house if the owner is not already outside we will sit in the car a few moments to see what is going to happen. If there is no mean dogs outside the truck door we approach the house with caution and make sure to slam our car door so we dont spook or surprise the homeowner.
We have never met anyone that has threatened us or even treated us unfairly. We have met a lot of people who do not wish to allow us to hunt their property but after "BSing" with them for half a hour or so they decide we can hunt. You would be amazed what a little friendly conversation can do.

[mistyriver]

Originally Posted by Toyman at Jewel Lake

Warning-forget the dog, beware of Redhead!

Pretty much.
I've had people come through a closed gate and ignore No Trespassing signs and still think they're going to sweet-talk me into becoming a JW, Mormon or buying a vaccum. I do become less than nice.
When you live out far and you suddenly see a car in your driveway or a strange man on the porch, it can be disconcerting for a woman home alone or worse, a teenager or older child.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Point taken, and from my own perspective I'd absolutely agree--once we've got the gate in, even without having critters, 'd feel weird about somebody just rolling up to the house through our woods, unannounced. But I think Fearnofish brings up a good point about using discretion and letting each situation dictate how one should approach neighbors. Misty, how would you prefer to be approached by a new neighbor who wants to be polite and just say hi?