Critterhunter: Interesting story! Don't know what I'd do differently in such a spot.
As for moving forward, two ideas come to mind that use completely different "defensive" measures.
TACTIC ONE: Take the new landowner a few cleaned birds or fish after one of your outings. Depending on the individual's disposition, this calculated gamble is certain to make the situation either better or worse. A neutral response probably isn't very likely.
TACTIC TWO: If you reload, take a box of shot-less loads on your next hunt. If the fellow again insists that you peppered him or his barn, toss him a few primed and powdered shells from your bag and ask him how that could be, since you've been firing blanks. That lesson might make him think twice before making a fool of himself again.
