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20 January 2024
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Prize bucks aren’t easy to come by.
People have been hunting in Kansas for a long time and, on rare occasions, take down truly impressive trophy animals. Some, like the record-breaking buck taken by Brian Butcher in 2019, have ranked in national lists for big game animals.
Records kept by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) show which hunters have bagged the most impressive deer, antelopes and elk over the years. Some scores have remained unbroken for decades while others were set much more recently.
Top Mule Deer Records
Firearms Non-Typical
260 6/8
Lee Odle, Stockton
1965
Harvested in Rooks County
258 6/8
Lance Randolph, Jennings
1996
Harvested in Decatur County
247 6/8
Henry Morrow, Dighton
2010
Harvested in Lane County
Firearms Typical
202 2/8
Bryan Morehead, Greensburg
1999
Harvested in Kiowa County
190 7/8
Chris Unrein, Wichita
2003
Harvested in Trego County
190 4/8
Robert Yost, Russell
1984
Harvested in Russell County
Archery Non-Typical
269 0/8
Dean Hamilton, Healy
1989
Harvested in Lane County
245 7/8
David Bainter, Clayton
1993
Harvested in Decatur County
238 0/8
Gary Keller, Oakley
1995
Harvested in Thomas County
Archery Typical
202 6/8
Carl Ghan, Jr., Scott City
1992
Harvested in Gove County
199 4/8
Stacy Hoeme, Scott City
2001
Harvested in Logan County
193 1/8
Matt Park, Oakley
1997
Harvested in Rawlins County
Top Whitetail Deer Records
Firearms Typical
198 2/8
Dennis P. Finger, Netawaka
1974
Harvested in Nemaha County
194 7/8
William Mikijanis, McLouth
1985
Harvested in Leavenworth County
193 1/8
David L’Ecuyer, Tonganoxie
2016
Harvested in Douglas County
Firearms Non-Typical
280 4/8
Joseph Waters, Topeka
1987
Harvested in Shawnee County
280 0/8
Mark Watson, Horton
2018
Harvested in Brown County
279 1/8
Chris Theis, Shawnee
1992
Harvested in Leavenworth County
Archery Non-Typical
321 3/8
Brian Butcher, Andover
2019
Harvested in Chase County
264 1/8
Dale Larson, Olsburg
1998
Harvested in Pottawatomie County
257 0/8
Kenneth B. Fowler, Buhler
1988
Harvested in Reno County
Archery Typical
193 7/8
Brad Henry, Topeka
2001
Harvested in Wabaunsee County
193 2/8
Keith Manca
2007
Harvested in Harper County
193 2/8
Stephen Weilert, Humboldt
1994
Harvested in Woodson County
Top Elk Records
Archery Typical
324 5/8
Joshua Budke, Leavenworth
2021
Harvested in Leavenworth County
317 6/8
Trevor Haddix, Fort Riley
2002
Harvested in Riley County
311 6/8
John Ingalls, Hutchinson
2015
Harvested in Reno County
Firearms Typical
354 5/8
Sherry Price, Salina
2003
Harvested in Riley County
320 2/8
William Brugge
2004
Harvested in Riley County
Firearms Non-Typical
376 0/8
John W. Garrison
1990
Harvested in Riley County
Top Antelope Records
Archery
83 2/8
Matthew Bain, Colby
2006
Harvested in Sherman County
81 4/8
Mike Gilbert, Garden City
1987
Harvested in Sherman County
81 0/8
Danny Pfaff
1996
Harvested in Wallace County
Firearms
88 0/8
Mitch McClure, Colby
2013
Harvested in Logan County
84 4/8
Don McDermott, Eudora
1992
Harvested in Wallace County
84 4/8
Corey Urban, Norton
1990
Harvested in Logan County
The KDWP distributes certificates to hunters who take trophy game through an application process. Requirements for this application process include:
Any racks or horns taken must meet minimum score requirements.
Hunter must have valid permit.
Trophy must have been taken by legal means during the legal open season.
Scoring must be completed by a certified Pope & Young, Boone & Crockett or Kansas measurer following a 60-day waiting period. Those qualifying for the Kansas top 20 list must be checked by a certified Pope & Young or Boone & Crockett measure. You can learn more about this process and find trophy big game applications to download by clicking here.
You can find more extensive records for big game hunting on the KDWP’s website by clicking here. Learn more about big game hunting opportunities in Kansas by clicking here.
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