Bowhunter Spot-and-Stalks Quadruple Drop-Tine Great Plains Buck

• Hunter: Kaden Wren
• Buck: 182 3/8 inches
• Date of Harvest: November 5, 2024
• Location of Harvest: Kansas
• Weapon of Harvest: Compound bow

Kansas hunter Kaden Wren started seeing this deer — aptly named “Bob” — in 2021. That year, he had trail camera photos and in-person sightings. Even then, it was already a fairly mature whitetail.

“My first encounter with this buck was in November 2021,” Wren said. “I was sitting in a treestand in a big old cottonwood when I immediately noticed his massive body. But as I looked closer, I realized his rack was narrow and small. He walked by at 15 yards, and I decided to give him the pass. After he walked by, I noticed he only had half a tail — so I named him ‘Bob.’"

In 2022, Bob threw a big kicker off his G2. Unfortunately, it broke after shedding velvet. Wren had five encounters that season but passed the deer each time.

By 2023, Bob was huge. He sported even more mass, extra points, and other key characteristics. Obviously, Wren thought about hunting the deer.

“He was consistently showing up on camera in June and July, but by August, his appearances became nearly nonexistent,” Wren said. “With Bob rarely showing up on camera, I decided to get boots on the ground and figure out where he was living. By the end of August, I finally did. I watched him leave his bed, go to water, and then go feed. I’d found his home.”

The deer lived in a draw with a small spring, two cottonwood trees, 8-foot-tall kochia weeds, and standing corn all around. Basically, the buck stayed in a 200-yard area.

On opening day, Wren eased into Bob’s bedding area and sat on the ground. “After three long hours in the hot September sun and swatting mosquitoes, the sun started to set,” Wren said. “I watched Bob walk out of his bed and stop broadside at 47 yards. As I drew my bow, the mosquitoes buzzed my face, and Bob caught my movement. He had me pegged. I settled my pin and started squeezing. My shot broke perfectly — but I watched as Bob’s chest dropped to the ground, and my arrow sailed right over his back.”

After that day, he got within 80 yards of Bob several more times. These spot-and-stalk hunts came close, but ultimately, didn’t result in another shot opportunity. Each time, the deer busted him.

By the summer of 2024, Bob grew two giant drop tines. Each one protruded from the bases of his G2s. Incredibly, two smaller drops emerged from the ends of his main beams.

“He was unbelievable, and he became my one and only target buck,” Wren said. “Once again, I knew Bob’s pattern. He disappeared to his home in August, like always. I knew that come September, I’d have a chance.”

Once season opened, he hunted the deer five times with no sightings. He even walked the draw to try bumping the deer, but he wasn’t there.

He continued glassing and scouting in September and October, but it never produced a sighting. Eventually, on November 4, 2024, he spotted the deer.

“Two and a half miles from where Bob had been living, I found a standing milo field,” Wren said. “It was the only standing crop within a 10-mile radius. On a hunch, I decided to glass the field that evening. Sure enough, I watched Bob stand from his bed — just 70 yards away. But he caught me standing in the milo and busted out of there.”

Thinking the buck would be back the next morning, on November 5, 2024, Wren was in position well before daylight. He eased to the edge of the field, set up a spotting scope, and glassed the horizon.

“A few minutes in, I caught a flicker of a white tail 400 yards away — a tail I knew all too well,” Wren said. “My heart pounded as I watched Bob mill around and bed down before sunrise.

“I snuck in to within 300 yards and waited for him to stand and re-bed mid-morning to pinpoint his exact location,” Wren said. “After two and a half hours, Bob stood, milled around, and re-bedded. I had a perfect spot on him.”

Wren carefully pushed forward through the dry, loud milo. A slight breeze was his only cover. After an hour and a half, he spotted Bob’s position and ranged the deer just 32 yards away.

“I sat on my knees, arrow nocked, ready to draw,” Wren said. “Three hours passed. My knees ached. My legs were numb. Finally, I saw Bob’s antlers rise above the milo. As he lowered his head, I came to my feet, using the milo as cover. I settled my pin, squeezed the shot off, and watched my arrow zip right through him.”

The massive deer ran about 120 yards and fell over. Bob was dead.

“The best part of this entire hunt was having one of my best friends, Morgan Rains, watching the whole thing unfold through a spotting scope,” he said. “I’ll never forget him sprinting toward me through the milo after Bob went down. My head was spinning, but I remember him shouting.

“You did it! It’s gonna be tough to top this one, buddy,” his friend said.

With four drop-tines and 182 ⅜ inches of antlers, I’d say he’s right. The deer was aged at 8 ½ years old.

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