Talked to my buddy tonight, apparently the guy's land my father-in-law and I were planning to hunt deer on has done a 180 and decided he doesn't want anyone else hunting deer on it (and there's only 2 guys hunting deer this year on his massive amount of land...what the heck?). I've never met this guy, so maybe he's just warry about letting a "stranger" hunt on his land (only know of him through my friend). I'm quail hunting w/ some guys (landowner included) on Saturday, so my hope is he'll see I'm a good guy and maybe will change his mind and let us on.

However, if he doesn't budge, any OK hunters out there who might be able to help my father-in-law and I out with whitetail? I'm not going to do one of those $1500-plus guided hunts (total waste considering my father-in-law's expertise in hunting...plus no money for something like that) and public land hunting in OK is just not going to happen. Any ideas? Thanks in advance for the help...here's to hoping this guy changes his mind on Saturday!

Well, you might approach him about hunting any varmints, coyotes etc., or possibly be willing to trade off some assistance with any work that might need to be done on his place for hunting priviledges. Maybe even donate the some of the meat to the landowner or to his church or local food bank.
That's a bummer that he backed out at the 11th hour, but there may be a way to hunt later in the season or set yourself up for next season.
I have taken many children over the years that had never been introduced to guns or hunting. Many have taken their first deer with me. That may be something that you ask him about. Tell him you were wanting to introduce a child to hunting and ask if he will let them share the space on his land. Then take a kid hunting with you, introduce him or her to the landowner, make a big deal of it. I'll bet you his heart will change if he knows that he is an important part in letting that child have such a thrilling experience.
I'm fortunate to have several nice places to hunt. Just yesterday, I had the great pleasure of my best friends son, John, taking his first deer. A nice 10 point, 150 lb. buck. You should have seen his face! It would be hard to describe how I felt when I heard his gun go off. Try this sometime. It is a wonderful thing. It is the future of our sport.
Good Luck!
Yotebuster

Well in my case, it'd be me that'd be getting my first deer...so the child thing won't work. Maybe I can play the "but this will be such a good bonding experience for my father-in-law and I" thing...considering I just got married back in May. The thing is, he used to let people buy in on the lease...$300 per year for unlimited (within law of course) deer, turkey, quail, dove, pheasant, etc. But apparently the other day he just decided no one was buying in on the lease this year, too bad. He's glad to take people hunting with him, but no longer can someone buy in on the lease and just go when they please. He doesn't deer hunt (only a big bird hunter), so I can't go w/ him for that. I'd gladly pay him $300, or give him some meat...but I don't think that's the point for him. Hopefully he'll see my side tomorrow and let me.

Any good ideas on how to approach it? I just don't want to sound like some whiny bastard, "poor me", etc. It's his land, he can do what he wants...I respect that. But the other half of me says, "what the heck man, you've only got 2 guys hunting deer this season on your massive spread...why can't you let one more on? That's pretty stupid if you ask me."

I agree with yotebuster. Do what you can to meet this guy and make the best impression you can. I would hope he would reconsider. Just reassure him of your good intentions. Good luck.