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Zenon earning a Wildlife Management degree from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, while playing hockey for the Pointers. After graduating he started a 365 day pursuit chasing trophy whitetails filling a void left with his ending hockey career. Zenon took his obsessive nature and attention to detail into the deer woods with the idea of continually growing his hunting knowledge for increase success. Zenon now pursues trophy whitetails across multiple states on permission granted and public lands and has scored on a number of quality mature bucks.
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"Permission-Granted", How To Obtain Access To Hunting Properties. By Dieter Kochan
Unfortunately, there are some aspects of hunting that have become dollar dependent; and, it seems like any hunter with a fistful of cash can score on a mature whitetail. I do not believe in making things harder than they have to be, but I enjoy all aspects of hunting including preseason scouting and stand selection/placement. The reality is if you are hunting on a 1000-acre ranch, there might as well be a fence because many of those deer entire home range will be within that ranch’s boundaries. These ranches are micro-managed for trophy whitetails, and all you need is money to participate. These are the situations that are often portrayed on entertaining yet unrealistic TV shows. This perception of reality often leads to frustration on the part of real hunters who have real jobs and do not have money to budget on high-priced hunting adventures. The majority of my deer hunting has been on public or permission-granted property. However, I was extremely fortunate four years ago when my father purchased 35 acres that has since been managed specifically for bow hunting. Nonetheless, over sixty percent of our tree stands are on permission-granted properties. I believe that gaining permission to hunt from complete strangers is an art form and here are a few techniques that can give you a better chance.
TIME OF YEAR
The worst possible time to ask for permission is during or just before the hunting season. Landowners are on high alert and have already been asked or are prepared for the barrage. The best time is early spring. You can develop a relationship by asking about shed hunting. Landowners are less likely to say no to shed hunting. This initial visit will help give you some rapport with the landowner should you decide to later ask for hunting permission. While shed hunting, you will have the opportunity to look over the property and decide if it is worth asking for permission to hunt. Depending on how that initial contact went, I may ask that same day or come back a different day in order to continue building the relationship. If you are forced to ask for permission during the season it can be done but just like pre-season scouting this should ideally be done in the spring.
DRESS FOR THE OCCASION
I will never wear camouflage or hunting clothes during the initial contact. When a landowner sees someone approach their house dressed in camouflage, they can predict what is about to come. If you approach and the landowner is unsure of your intentions, you give yourself valuable time to find common ground and develop some rapport.
DEVELOPING RAPPORT
Remember that you are a complete stranger and you probably have about 30 seconds to find some common ground and develop a relationship before they say no. While I am approaching the door, I am scanning the property for something that we may have in common that could possibly give me an edge during the initial conversation. Be respectful and introduce yourself before casually bringing up the topic at hand.
BRING A FRIEND
Actually do not bring anyone with you. If two unknown males walk up to the front door of someone’s house, that person will feel intimidated and on high alert. The only exception is if you have a small (well behaved) child with you. It can be an ace in the hole. Having a child makes you less threatening, shows responsibility, and can often be a good ice breaker.
LESSONS FROM SALES
I once heard that 80 percent of sales are made on the third or fourth try. I am not sure whether or not that statistic is correct, but I have applied this theory to hunting permission and have had success on the second and third contacts. As long as the landowner does not chase you off the property with a shotgun, you probably will have a better chance the second time compared to the first. Some properties are worth asking about twice.
DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED
A good rule of thumb is that most likely you will only be granted permission 5-10 percent of the time. Just because you get a bunch of no’s, do not give up because the property down the road may be your dream come true. If the owner does say no, ask if they know of anyone else who may be willing to grant permission and if you can use their name as a reference.
FORMS AND PAPERWORK
Some landowners are hesitant because of fears of financial liability. I carry forms that I printed off the Ohio DNR website that waive all liability on the part of the landowner. I also carry a copy of my driver’s license and vehicle license plate to provide to cautious landowners.
EVEN AFTER YOU GET A YES IT DOES NOT END THERE
I am proud to say that I have not paid money for a lease or outfitter, but I will admit that if I have permission to hunt quality land I will do what I can to make sure that the landowner knows I am grateful. Whether it is some fine cuts of venison, a Christmas basket, a gift certificate for dinner, or a bottle of booze, a small gift shows your appreciation and hopefully gives you the upper hand the following year. The unfortunate reality is that unlike a lease there are no guarantees, and you have to be prepared for circumstances out of your control. I try to add at least one new property a year in the event that others are lost due to additional hunting pressure, land sales, or differences in opinion.
Even in today’s era of high-priced leases and the expansion in the interest of bowhunting, you too can find prime hunting land if you are just willing to ask. The first step is to just start knocking on doors. Soon you will find out what works and what does not. Many people just have it in their head that there is no chance to get permission to hunt good land that no one else hunts. After college I played professional hockey for 10 years. During that time, I was able to gain permission in seven different states. During a brief stint in Illinois, I was able to gain sole permission of 40 acres. I was within an hour drive of Chicago, Illinois. If I can gain permission near one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States, I think you can do it anywhere. Oh yeah, by the way, two of the largest deer that my brother and I have shot, came off separate permission-granted properties.
MISSION
Provide a customer experience that is tailor made to the individual in what ever stage of archery development they are in and provide them the technical ability to shoot their very best.
Zenon Kochan
Zenon Kochan
Owner/Operator
Dieter Kochan AKA "Ranger Mathews"
Simply Whitetails Archery started as a way to avoid specialty archery pro-shops that are often intimidating and tend to focus more on sales then servicing older equipment. Now on the other side I pride myself on working within a customers equipment or budget to achieve the very best outcome. Too often poor hunting experiences are a result of improperly setup equipment and not the equipment themselves or at times the individual. My favorite part of the job is when a custom sends me a message or harvest photo about how they have never shot so well.
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SIMPLY WHITETAILS
4348 Oak Hill Rd Oregon, WI
Dieter majored in the study of biology and played college hockey at Northern Michigan University. While in college, Dieter took every opportunity to explore and decipher the big woods public lands of the UP. After college, Dieter played professional hockey for 10 years, including time with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Minnesota Wild and New York Islanders. During that time, Dieter was forced to obtain hunting permission in new areas almost yearly. Hunting a vast array of landscapes, Dieter was able to harvest quality bucks in WI, MI, NY, CT and MA. Dieter now pursues trophy whitetails primarily in southern Wisconsin, North Dakota and the elusive Keweenaw Co. bucks of the UP, where sub-zero temperatures and deep snow are the norm and hunting equipment is tested to its limits.
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