How do you determine if your deer has made it in the record book?
Deer are scored based on the size of the tines, the diameter of the bases, and sometimes other measurements as well---such as the total spread between antlers. All these measurements are added up, and the total number of points is the deer's score.
Deer are further divided into "typical" and "non-typical" depending on the configuration of the antlers.
Each record book (such as Boone & Crockett, for firearms, and Pope & Young, for archery) has it's own minimum criterium for what constitutes a trophy (which means you made the book).
Although you can learn the systems, and score your own deer for fun, official scores must be taken by somebody certified by the record keeping organization.
If you want to score them yourself, here is the method:
(there is also a useful video demonstrating the how to score deer antlers below)
To start off you need your rack, and a few tools:
- masking tape
- marker
- a piece of paper
- a zip tie or a metal band deer tag
- tape measurer, the kind a seamstress uses
1. Tear pieces of tape around an inch long. Places the tape along the main beam where each tine originates. If non-typical growth comes off another tine, mark that tine's orgin as well. Mark on the tape exactly where the tine originates. In other words, envision where the beam would continue if the tine did not exist, and make the mark there. Use a metal band deer tag or another tool to make your mark as straight as possible. Do this to each side of the beam.
2. Start measuring the rack. Start on the tag side of the beam at the burr. Follow along the center line of the main beam on it's outside edge. Tape the measuring tape in place so it doesn't slip. Once you have your measurement, write it down.
3. Measure the antler tines. Start measuring the tines at the line you marked on the tape to the tip. Do this for each typical and non-typical tine.
You are to measure to the nearest 1/8, and record your measurements.
4. Take mass measurements. For each mass measurement you are going to take the measurement at the narrowest point. You get credit for the smallest area of circumference for each of the 4 locations per side.
The first measurement is to come between the burr and first point. The second measurement comes between the first and second point. The third measurement comes between the second and third point. Finally the last measurement is taken between the third and fourth point. If no fourth point is present (like an 8 point) you take the mass measurement half way between the third point and the end of the main beam. Do not take the measurement over the burr. Record your measurements.
5. Measure the inside spread of the main antler beams at the widest place. This measurement should be at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the skull, and parallel to its horizontal axis.
6. Add it all up!
Here is an example (click to see photos too) of how to add up your points:
Right Left Difference
MB 22 4/8 21 7/8 0 5/8
G1 3 5/8 3 7/8 0 2/8
G2 9 3/8 8 0/8 1 3/8
G3 7 7/8 8 2/8 0 3/8
G4 4 3/8 5 5/8 1 2/8
G5 2 4/8 2 4/8
Abnormal Points.
3 2/8 3 2/8
4 0/8 4 0/8
Mass
H1 4 6/8 4 5/8 1/8
H2 4 2/8 4 1/8 1/8
H3 4 6/8 5 0/8 2/8
H4 4 3/8 4 3/8 0
Total Right Total Left Total Difference
65 7/8 68 2/8 14 1/8
(+ abnormals 73 1/8)
Inside spread
17 1/8
Gross Non-Typical- 158 4/8 (Gross non-typical includes every inch of antler no deductions.)
Net Non-Typical- 144 3/8 (Net non-typical includes the gross typical score, minus the side to side differences, but then you add on any abnormal points.)
Gross Typical- 151 2/8 (Gross typical score includes all typical points, including deductions that are not considered abnormal points. Abnormal points are never added to the typical score.)
Net Typical- 137 1/8 (Net typical includes all typical points, then subtract all side to side differences and any abnormal points.)
Click here to download score charts as a pdf.
Labels: deer hunting, deer hunting in Georgia, how do you score deer antlers, scoring deer antlers, things to do on recreational land, white-tailed deer
