Looking for opinions on approaching someone about an abandoned property

first off I have been checking out the site for months now. I had to join cause I'm wanting to increase my scrapping now that I have a truck to accomplish more with.
So I've been watching an abandoned property close to where I live that has large amounts of metal spread out. There is so much on the site from a mobile home frame and horse drawn farm implements to more modern junk. The first house on the place was built in the 20's and you can see the range in age in what's laying around.
Currently the property is in the middle of all the gas wells around here.
I did my research and found the name and po box of the property owner.
So my question is, I would like to ask If I would be allowed access to do some cleaning up.
I have never done this before and wanted some opinions on how to go about it. I want to be professional and do this the right way.
This place has the potential to help me really get started.

Write the owners of the property a letter asking if they are interested. Keep it simple and maybe inclose a stamped envelope with your address. Some will not call you as they would feel nervous about it. If they have your number and address they can decide if they are interested and contact you by phone or mail.

Tell the property owner that you are or intend on getting bonded so there will be no liability issues.

I do this alot and for the most part it is word-of-mouth. Advertising has never helped. When I have sought new contacts, I'd rather approach the party in person and lay it out to them that I'm enjoying ''scrapping iron'' in my spare time and "I couldn't help but see all the treasures on your property. I offer XXXXX percent, would take all the metal, sell it at XXXXX and I like to pay after every load". (If possible or at least after 2 loads) You might offer some cash down and tell them you won't leave a mess behind. Some might jump right on the idea and others may want to contact you later. Give them your phone number or address and tell them you'll check back. I like the personal approach as they can assess your character that way. Leave your greasy coveralls in the truck, look your best and drive your nicest vehicle. You've already made the determination that they are the rightful owners of the stuff and that's a must. I've found that people like to see a job finished ASAP after it is started, but if they say that timing is not important, then use that to your advantage. Build your reputation on these standards and you'll be in the business for a long time. Others have mentioned bonding and insurance. I don't carry either. Now if the price would just go up !!! Good luck and let us know how you do.

Don't insult his property by saying its dirty or dangerous, offer your services via phone call or email or letter, I wouldn't approach a house telling him you've been snooping on his land. Good luck

This is what I was asking for. Different ideas on how to approach the owner. Thanks for the responses. You have all made me think of things I haven't.
Just to clarify a few things. The property has gas wells on it and from what I am guessing no one has lived there for at least 4-6 years. Most of the trash looks to be from oil workers who used it for free housing (without the owner knowing)and left all their trash.
You can see almost all of the dump piles from the county road. I have walked around a little because there are no signs of any kind about not trespassing or private property or even an address marker. If anything was posted I would have stayed off.

I have read all the posts and as I have a property with piles of stuff and it can look abandoned to some. I don't put up ANY signs as I learned many years ago that when I had up nice keep out and such signs that I had MANY that I would find snooping around as SOME will see the signs as a challenge and ignore them. Just something I learned from experience. So NO signs does NOT mean that it is o.k. to trespass. I and others that I know around my area don't care much for uninvited company and visitors as we value our privacy.

You have the property owners address so write them a simple letter ASKING if they would be interested in talking with you on the cleanup of the property. If there is plenty of value in the metals and other salvageable items and the out right trash is manageable you might put a deal together. You could always put in a deal that you or the owner supply the trash dumpsters as is fair to all.

Without proper experience in such jobs you can loose big time. It is best to approach this slowly and carefully as it is YOU that has to make the property owner feel comfortable.

I get many jobs and offers to haul off good stuff from people that won't do business with just anyone. You might not be the first person that has tried to get the salvage rights. But then again you might. Wish I could tell you more, but it is a area that has many different aspects to it and there is no easy answers or ways of going about it.

Take it slow but with forward movement. Send the letter with your number and a self addressed stamped envelope asking if they would be interested in visiting with you on possible property clean up. Keep it very short and simple. Some times less is best.

The last post reminded me of seeing farmsteads or lots full of stuff that is beckoning to us scrappers. There's a huge chance that those people have no intent to part with their wares. They are either hoarders or investors or for some reason or other have a fondness for their accumulations. I know of a 73 yr old man who hasn't sold an item off his farm since his dad died 30 years ago. It's something to do with his father's honor I guess. We are personal friends, I rent some of his land and yet I can't even get him to part with a rusted out hog feeder....LOL

Another site is one displaying over 20 old cars/trucks right along a highway. I'm sure that I'm not the first one to desire a crack at that but I never contacted the absentee/out of state owner. I'm sure he's said "No" to others and now that the price is in the gutter, I'll wait some more.

Yet another.....an elderly man with more iron than some scrap yards and I'm told he won't part with any of it. I've never met him, but have a mutual friend. Then I can think of one farmstead full of goodies and someone lives there. The metal gates across the lane are closed and a "Keep Out" sign displayed. They probably have a mean dog, don't want to talk to anyone and definitely intend to take all that with them when they go.

With the good prices over the last few years, I'd think that most of these owners have been contacted and have denied access.

A lot of times seemingly abandoned property can be tied up in probate court and nobody can give authorization for removal of anything for years and years.

Originally Posted by Abuilder

A lot of times seemingly abandoned property can be tied up in probate court and nobody can give authorization for removal of anything for years and years.

But when it does if you have contacted the right person you could catch a "whale". Otis make sure you follow up and do something, then report back... good luck!

Speaking of being "tied up in court", I know of another site where the owner sold his property with the intent to remove all the iron on the grounds and tools / personal items in a building. The new buyer was served with divorce papers soon after, the property and contents were listed in the proceedings and now the owner told me he can't even go and remove a wrench from his building. That's been going on for 5 or 6 years now. It was a machine shop/welding and repair business and I can imagine there's many dollars worth involved.