ScentLok pro Kyle Kunst of Reel Obsession Outdoors returns to Kentucky for the September archery opener and arrows a 161 3/8-inch velvet buck in sweltering heat
Michigan native and ScentLok pro Kyle Kunst grew up hunting the fields and fishing the waters of West Michigan, and today he hosts the Reel Obsession Outdoors YouTube channel. Kunst recently traveled to Kentucky for the September archery opener, where he hunted with Whitetail Project Outfitters and connected with an exceptional velvet buck. “Kentucky’s archery season starts the first Saturday of every September, wherever that falls, so this was just their opening week and bucks were still in velvet,” Kunst says.
Not His First Trip
This wasn’t the first time Kunst had hunted whitetails in Kentucky, nor was it his first visit to Whitetail Project Outfitters.
“I believe it was 2020. I had met a guy through collegiate bass fishing, and he generously opened up his family’s farm to me,” says Kunst. “It was early enough for velvet, and I did shoot a pretty decent buck on that private ground. I wanted to go back, but without private access, I struggled with the prospect of grinding it out on public land, which, of course, I do every season in other states.”
Doing His Homework
With a nod and a shove from ScentLok, and encouragement from Alex Davidson of Whitetail Project Outfitters, the stage was set for Kunst to return to Kentucky for the 2026 archery opener. Before the hunt, however, Kunst wanted to get a feel for the property and the deer that live there. “A month prior to this hunt, I was able to drive down to Kentucky and film this exact deer from the same stand I ended up killing him out of. It was incredible to film and watch a deer of this caliber at 20 yards for a half hour without feeling the pressure of getting a shot,” Kunst explains.
Opening Night
According to Kunst, besides having plenty of ground managed specifically for trophy whitetails, Davidson and his guides are intimately familiar with the herd. “The temps kind of sucked to hunt, but bucks were still in their summer patterns, and the bachelor groups were constantly feeding and watering in the same spots, including the stud I was after.”
Kunst continues, “I didn’t expect to get in a tree that first night. I figured we’d go glass fields, but Alex asked me if I was game to hunt because he had a really good one returning to a certain stand over the edge of a beanfield the prior few days. So, I said let’s do it! I ended up seeing four or five bucks in that bachelor group, including most of the ones from August, as well as a couple of new ones. Eventually, he came in and milled around for a while before presenting a great shot, and I put an arrow in him.” Kunst’s velvet buck ended up scoring 161 3/8 inches, and the entire hunt was captured on film. It’s no wonder he described his Kentucky trophy as the “buck of my dreams.”
A Hit List On The Whiteboard
According to Kunst, Whitetail Project Outfitters runs 60 to 70 hunters through during opening weekend alone, and they only target bucks scoring 140 inches or better, “which is remarkable,” as he put it. Deer in the region grow to that size quickly, so there’s no shortage of options. Accommodating that many hunters takes the outfitter’s own lodging plus multiple Airbnb rentals.
With plenty of ground at their disposal, putting clients on big bucks isn’t typically a problem, and success rates have been high the past few years. “They have a hit list on a giant whiteboard, and they set up every hunter on deer that have been consistent and prioritize the largest ones,” Kunst says.
Dressed For The Heat
Kentucky is hot in September, but that’s when bucks are still locked into their summer patterns and wearing velvet. Those patterns fall apart once bucks shed and the first big weather shift rolls through. So, if a velvet buck is the target, it’s important to hunt early and be prepared for the heat.
“I was wearing a ScentLok Featherweight top paired with the Savanna Fuse pants that day. The temperatures were hovering in the low to mid-90s, so it was critical to wear the lightest clothing possible to stay somewhat cool and comfortable,” says Kunst.
“Wearing breathable, moisture-wicking clothes helps a lot, and scent control is critical. I was ready for a long sit, and the hunt lasted four or five hours. I stayed as comfortable as any hunter could possibly expect. I can’t thank ScentLok and Alex Davidson enough for making this trip possible.” Head over to Kunst’s Reel Obsession Outdoors YouTube channel to watch the full video of his Kentucky velvet hunt.
