Kyress Buck: Pennsylvania’s Lost Whitetail State Record
Some of the greatest stories in deer hunting aren’t written in the moment a trigger is pulled. Some take decades to unfold.
The story of the Kyress Buck—now recognized as the #1 typical whitetail ever recorded in Pennsylvania and the #4 typical whitetail of all time by the Boone and Crockett Club—is one of those stories.
With an official score of 204 6/8 inches typical, this buck stands among the most legendary whitetails ever documented in North America.
See the Kyress Buck in Person
Hunters will have opportunities to view the Kyress Buck at select 2026 Hunter Nation events, including:
Great American Outdoor Show
📍 Harrisburg, PA
📅 February 7–15, 2026
🏢 Farm Bureau (Hunter Nation) Booth: #6643
From a forgotten antique-shop purchase to a top-five world-class typical, the Kyress Buck stands as one of the most remarkable whitetail stories ever told—right here in Pennsylvania.
A Giant Taken in 1962
The Kyress Buck was harvested in 1962 in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, just off land associated with the local penitentiary. The hunter, Frederick Kyress, took a buck that was clearly special—but at the time, no one realized just how historic the antlers truly were.
There were no social media posts. No record-book buzz. No immediate recognition.
The rack simply existed.
And then… it disappeared from view.
Decades in the Shadows
After the harvest, the antlers eventually ended up stored away and largely forgotten. Over the years, the rack passed quietly through different hands, never receiving formal measurement or documentation.
At one point, the antlers were purchased for $40 at an antique shop in Boyertown. Even then, their true significance remained unknown.
For decades, one of the greatest typical whitetails ever taken in Pennsylvania sat outside the spotlight.
Rediscovered in 2019
Everything changed in 2019.
At the Port Royal Trapper Show, the antlers were purchased by Jay Fish, owner of the New Legends Collection.
Recognizing the rack’s exceptional size and structure, Fish acquired the antlers for $5,000 and submitted them for official scoring.
For the first time, the Kyress Buck entered the formal record-book process.
A Record-Breaking Score
When officially measured and panel-judged by the Boone and Crockett Club, the Kyress Buck received a final score of 204 6/8 inches typical
🏆 That number secured:Record Status (Boone & Crockett)
- #1 Typical Whitetail in Pennsylvania (All Time)
- #4 Typical Whitetail of All Time (B&C)
- Official Score: 204 6/8" Typical — Boone and Crockett Club
What had once been an unknown rack was now confirmed as one of the greatest typical whitetails ever taken.
A Reminder of Hunting History
The Kyress Buck’s journey—from a 1962 harvest, to decades of obscurity, to record-book immortality—serves as a powerful reminder:
Not every legend is recognized right away.
Some legends wait.