Now that you have finished the primary measurements, you have to measure the tines, which are the points that stick out of the antlers. Add up the length of each abnormal point you have, and subtract the total from your net score. LENGTH OF TYPICAL TINES – Measure the length of each valid typical tine on each antler. This article has been viewed 180,157 times. The wider the spread, the higher your buck is going to score. Then, move on to the bay (the tine that is second nearest to the skull), measure its length, and mark that down as G2. Find the part where the main beams curve apart the most. Your antlers have to be in good condition to be worthy of an official score. If you think you have a chance at the record books, talk to an official scorer. Sometimes, there is no fourth tine. If the antler looks roughly ¾ of the eye circumference it is most likely in the 3-inch range. All deer antlers scored using the Pope and Young method must meet a certain criteria for eligibility, one of which is how it was harvested. Measure the … Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2019. Near the skull, the deer's antlers curve outward, and towards the end of the antlers, they curve back together again. The biggest mistake most people make when scoring a whitetail’s antlers is inaccurately measuring the lengths of the points. If it is roughly 1.5X the circumference you will ballpark the circumference measurements in the 5.5-6 inch range. All clubs take four circumference measurements on each main beam. Scoring Deer Antlers The procedure of measuring a deer antler is not that complicated. Because the organization is focused on bow hunting, all antlers scored using this method must come from a bow-harvested deer. Abnormal points that are less than an inch long are not counted and do not affect your score. An ordinary metal measuring tape is not flexible enough to measure the main beams' lengths or the antlers' circumference. First, your antlers should be very dry before you score them. Yes. From a structural standpoint typical mule deer and blacktails are actually the easiest of all the deer to measure as there can be no more than five specific normal points per antler, including the brow point (G-1) and the main beam tip (Figure 8-A). If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If you go through the steps a bit carefully, you can get an accurate score yourself, but you can also have an official scorer judge your antlers. Once you receive an official award or certificate with your antler score, you can include it on the nameplate when you mount the rack. Do the same for the H1 measurement, the H3 measurement, and all other measurements. Circumference. The right way to measure the main beam is to put the measuring tape along the center of the outside edge. Your antlers can’t receive an official Boone and Crockett score in this condition. It is easiest to follow the steps if you have a score sheet with you while you measure your rack. Method 21-NT For axis deer, hog deer, sambar, rusa deer, sika deer and roe deer with non-typical antlers. For whitetail deer, the measurement of the antlers is the reference to the score, and they do so by adding multiple factors: the length of the main beam, length of tines, the circumference of the the main beam in four different location and the width of the spread between the antlers. Next, you should measure the circumference of the antlers. The overall length of the antlers is part of the overall score. 2. Here, we will discuss the common Boone and Crockett club system for whitetail deer. You are done at this point, and know how many points your rack scores. Your antlers have to be in good condition to be worthy of an official score. Write your measurements down. If you do the math and end up with a length of over 160, you have a real trophy buck. Dry the antlers in the air for 60 days before you measure. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. What points do I need to measure when scoring deer antlers? Your deer also has to have been killed fair and square according to the laws of your state. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Measure between the second and third tine to get the H3 measurement. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Once you have added everything up, you have your gross score, which is not your final score. All you need to have is a measuring steel tape and string that is preferably flexible and an adjustable measuring ruler. These measurements are often listed in a different order, depending upon the agency that will be issuing the score for your deer antlers. That way, all antlers are being measured in the same state. In that case, measure the circumference halfway between the third tine and the end of the antler. Record both measurements. Next, measure the tip-to-tip spread and the greatest spread at the widest point of the antlers, which is almost always the measurement between the two main beams. You can also do this measurement with a yardstick instead of with a flexible tape measure. Start with the brow tine, which is the tine closest to the skull. The tape width about 1/4" wide and very flexible so works well for measuring and scoring antlers. Then, add the G measurements and the H measurements. A bucks antlers or measured to the nearest 1/8 of an inch. How To Measure Deer Antlers, Global Tutorial, How To Measure Deer Antlers Do younger bucks always have smaller antlers. If you have a scoring sheet and what you need to measure the antlers, it should be easy to figure it out. Scoring whitetail deer – How to score a buck Measure the main beams of the antlers This measurement is taken on the outside edge of each antler, starting at the base of the burr. I once remember a friend commenting that when we measure antlers we have to stop and wonder just whose head we are really measuring. According to Boon and Crockett, 160 inches is impressive. There are different scoring systems for deer antlers. A rack that measured 333 and 7/8 inches was found, but no hunter shot the deer. LENGTH OF MAIN BEAM – In white-tailed deer with typical antlers, the main beams end at the front points and are easily identified. What is the highest score any hunter ever achieved? Write down all your measurements on your score sheet or using the Boone and Crockett Club online form. There are four H measurements on each antler. The Boone and Crockett scoring system has been the template for most other scoring systems, so you should start by taking these spread, point and circumference measurements. Why do you air dry for 60 days before scoring? Scoring a deer is not as complicated as it might seem to be at first. Without a standardized method of measuring deer antlers, there would be no way to know. An older buck will have much more massive and more impressive antlers than a younger deer. 5.0 out of 5 stars Great tape measure for scoring deer antlers. […] At this point, you will need a flexible cloth or steel measuring tape and not a yardstick. How to Measure Deer Antlers Determine the number of points on each antler by counting. If you measure along the inside edge, you will end up with a different and inaccurate length. Hunters also deduct points for abnormal points and for lack of symmetry. A yardstick or carpenter’s rule works best, but a tape measure will do. This is your H2 measurement. An older deer that lived a healthy life will have long, many pointed antlers with few flaws. The average buck with ears in an alert position has an ear tip-to-tip spread of 16 inches. You can also use a steel cable to do the measurements. For the G1 measurement, record the size of the difference between the G1 on the right antler and the G1 on the left. After the first measurement, measure the antler's circumference between the first tine and the second tine. There are positive things about the antlers that raise the score and negative things that lower it. You can find the scoring sheet on the Boone and Crockett club website or from a fish and wildlife department website. Head Measuring Getting a head start Although British deer stalkers have little time for trophy hunting, it is a valuable management tool to record particularly good heads and BASC will be offering a head measuring service to members at some game fairs. This is usually a small measurement because the main beams reach toward each other in the middle of the rack. The most useful tool for measuring deer antlers is a flexible measuring tape. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 180,157 times. Measure these with a flexible steel tape wrapped around the main beam. Then, subtract this from your score. Measuring whitetail deer antlers determines how significant a hunt was before you mount the rack. You need to do tip to tip with the inside spread, and the measurement of all the tines. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Wrap your measuring tape around the antlers to take these circumference measurements. You also count the length of the tines, the antlers' circumference, and the inside spread of the main beams. In 2016, Steven Tucker shot a deer with a rack that measured 312 and 3/8 inches. This article has been viewed 180,157 times. 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