A Big Kansas Velvet Buck

Pete Alfano of Whitetail Properties has laid to rest a good number of big bucks. It's sort of his forte. He knows where and how to kill mature deer. And he does it consistently.

This year, he did it yet again. He brought down a 171-inch Kansas buck that any hunter would be proud to take. It all started several years ago when Alfano bought one particular farm. At that time, this buck was 2 or 3 years old. By this season, Alfano estimated the buck to be 6 or 7.

He was really easy to identify because he basically always had a 5x4 typical frame with one side a lot bigger than the other, Alfano said. This year he evened out and threw some kickers.

Bear Archery BR 33 in Realtree camo

He loved how this buck showed a touch of character with the extra eye guard. But the best part about the whole deal was the buck was still hanging onto its velvet by mid-September. Alfano couldn't wait to hunt the deer.

It was warm on September 15. It had been in the 80s for most of the day. The sun showed a small bit of mercy and the temps dipped down into the 70s by that afternoon.

Pete sat waiting in the old abandoned home site from the 1900s. As is often the case, that's where the big buck was living.

It looked like an episode of The Walking Dead, Alfano said. The structures are surrounded by big crop fields and lots of cover.

It wasn't long before the buck eased into view, heading toward a nearby water tank. The buck cautiously picked its way across the landscape as it neared Pete's setup. The closer it got, the more confident Pete was in getting a shot. Once the buck was in range, Pete drew back his Bear Archery BR 33 and let an arrow fly.

I had a water tank in the middle of the houses and barns and had been getting pictures of him and many other deer almost daily, Alfano said. I knew it was only a matter of time before he came in for water. With about 15 minutes of light left, I spotted him standing next to the trees and he immediately made a straight shot to the water offering me an 18-yard broadside shot.

I'd been putting cameras out for four years in this spot and could never figure out how to get a shot at them, Pete said. Sometimes you just need to think outside the box and go for it. [It was an] awesome hunt and [I] absolutely love the fact my plan worked."

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