SCORING ON THE HOOF (Based on Boone and Crockett Club criteria) By: Eugene R. Fuchs Kerr Wildlife Management Area Texas Parks and Wildlife www.tpwd.state.tx.us/hillcountry

BASICS FOR SCORING WHITE-TAILED DEER ANTLERS Determine the points that qualify for measuring 1. Number of typical points 2. Number of non-typical points Definition of a POINT - a projection at least one (1) inch long and longer than wide at some location at least one inch from the tip of the projection. Inside Spread Main Beam Length Length of Points FOUR ( 4 ) Beam Circumferences on each antler NO more/No less

Typical vs. Non-typical Points G4 Typical points arise ONLY from the top of the main beam. Non-typical points can originate from other points, the sides and bottom of the beams, the burrs, and can be unmatched, typical points that are between typical points, but not a point as shown ( G4 ).

Non-typical points

Inside spread is taken at the widest location between main beams perpendicular to the center line of the forehead – NOT between points Inside spread

Each main beam length is taken along outside curve of beam starting at antler burr above the eye to the tip of beam. Main beam length

Point lengths are taken on the outside curve of each point where the midline of the point intersects the top of the beam or another point.

H2 H1 & H2 H3 H3 H1 H4 H4 Beam circumferences must be taken at the smallest location between points except the 4th measurement may fall midway between last point and end of main beam when G4 is missing.

H4 H3 H2 H1 These measurements are referred to as H1, H2, H3, & H4 Circumference measurement locations - 4 taken on each antler - no more - no less These measurements are referred to as H1, H2, H3, & H4 H1

Matched non-typical points Cannot be measured as TYPICAL POINTS

What will an 8 pointer score ? Scoring on the Hoof What will an 8 pointer score ?

Knowing the average of several physical measurements for 3 year old bucks for a region/population will help in estimating scores “ON the HOOF”. Learn the ear length, head length, eye-eye width, etc. of the deer you are hunting.

Outside eye - eye 5 1/2 in.

Length of ear 5 - 5 1/2 in. Diameter of eye 1 in.

Width between burrs 2 - 2 1/2 in. Width of black nose pad 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 in.

Eye to nose 6 1/2 - 7 in. HEAD LENGTH 12 IN.

These 2 views offer the best opportunity for estimating antler score Slight quarter is better than side view These 2 views offer the best opportunity for estimating antler score

Side views often give an under estimation of antler size Judging antlers on a buck walking away or quartering away will usually result in “ground shrinkage” Side views often give an under estimation of antler size

The Tape Doesn’t Lie The following are examples of antlers that have been scored representing several gross B&C score-classes for typical 8 pointers Notice how antler shape and point length effect score

GBC @ 8 pts. = 90 Spread = 10 6/8 Beams = 16 7/8 & 16 2/8 H1 = 2 7/8 ( mass = 20 ) GBC @ 8 pts. = 90

90 Class

GBC @ 8 pts. = 105 Spread = 12 6/8 Beams = 18 6/8 & 20 H1 = 3 1/8 ( mass = 22 ) GBC @ 8 pts. = 105

GBC @ 8 pts. = 106 Spread = 15 Beams = 18 & 18 3/8 G1 = 4 & 4 H1 = 3 4/8 ( mass = 23 ) GBC @ 8 pts. = 106

GBC @ 6 pts. = 108 Spread = 21 Beams = 18 4/8 & 20 2/8 H1 = 4 ( mass = 23 ) GBC @ 6 pts. = 108

100 Class

GBC @ 8 pts. = 111 Spread = 12 Beams = 17 5/8 & 17 2/8 G1 = 3 & 3 2/8 H1 = 3 6/8 ( mass = 29 ) GBC @ 8 pts. = 111

GBC @ 8 pts. = 114 Spread = 13 4/8 Beams = 18 & 18 G1 = 1 5/8 & 2 3/8 H1 = 3 4/8 ( mass = 24 ) GBC @ 8 pts. = 114

GBC @ 8 pts. = 116 Spread = 17 6/8 Beams = 18 5/8 & 18 G1 = 4 2/8 & 5 H1 = 3 6/8 ( mass = 26 ) GBC @ 8 pts. = 116

GBC @ 8 pts. = 117 Spread = 12 6/8 Beams = 20 & 19 4/8 G1 = 3 6/8 & 5 H1 = 3 6/8 ( mass = 26 ) GBC @ 8 pts. = 117

110 Class

GBC @ 8 pts. = 120 Spread = 15 Beams = 18 4/8 & 18 6/8 H1 = 4 ( mass = 26 ) GBC @ 8 pts. = 120

GBC @ 8 pts. = 125 GBC @ 12 pts. = 136 Spread = 14 4/8 Beams = 19 & 17 4/8 G1 = 5 5/8 & 4 4/8 G2 = 8 5/8 & 8 7/8 G3 = 6 6/8 & 7 H1 = 4 2/8 ( mass = 32 ) GBC @ 8 pts. = 125 GBC @ 12 pts. = 136

GBC @ 8 pts. = 127 Spread = 16 2/8 Beams = 18 4/8 & 19 2/8 H1 = 4 4/8 ( mass = 30 ) GBC @ 8 pts. = 127

120 Class

GBC @ 8 pts. = 135 Spread = 15 4/8 Beams = 22 & 22 G1 = 3 6/8 & 3 4/8 H1 = 3 6/8 ( mass = 27 ) GBC @ 8 pts. = 135

GBC @ 8 pts. = 138 Beams = 19 6/8 & 20 G2 = 10 2/8 & 9 4/8 H1 = 4 6/8 ( mass = 27 ) GBC @ 8 pts. = 138

130 Class

See what a difference of 20 in. of score makes in appearance G1 = 5 Spread = 17 6/8 G2 = 11 G3 = 9 H1 = 4 2/8 ( mass = 30 ) GBC = 138 Spread = 12 6/8 GBC = 117

120 Class 1OO Class Broken G3 Spread = 17 H1 = 4 2/8 ( MASS = 28 )

GBC = 107 GBC = 126

120 Class 110 Class See the difference ?

140 Class 130 Class Point and beam length are the difference in score on these bucks

140 Class

This is a BIG 8 POINTER – what’s the score ???

GBC = 159 7/8 Points = 8 Spread = 19 2/8 Beams = 25 6/8 & 25 5/8 H1 = 5 & 4 7/8 ( mass = 34 3/8) GBC = 159 7/8 Net B&C = 156 6/8

150 Class GBC @ 8 pts. 152 GBC @ 8 pts. = 153 Antlers look larger than they really are when viewed from above and behind

Beware of the rear view – you get an exaggerated impression of height and spread – especially with ears back.

Caution: beams and points often appear longer than they are when viewed from behind.

Rear views are often deceiving especially if ears are back

DON’T PANIC & don’t worry about the score – squeeze and then use a tape.

What will he score ????

GBC = 189 6/8 Points = 12 (4 X 5 Typical Frame with 3 Atypical Points) Spread = 23 2/8 ( OS = 25 ) Beams = 24 & 23 4/8 G1 = 7 3/8 & 7 3/8 G2 = 11 5/8 & 11 G3 = 9 4/8 & 10 G4 = 7 H1 = 5 4/8 & 5 4/8 ( mass =39 7/8 ) GBC = 189 6/8 ( typical frame = 174 4/8 GBC ) ( 3 atyp. Pts. = 15 2/8 )

Scoring reviewed

How wide ? 5 1/2

How wide ? 5 1/2 4 1/2 4 1/2

21 1/2 5 1/2 3 1/2 3 1/2 4 1/2 4 1/2

GBC = 135 G2 G3 G1 Spread = 21 4/8 Beams = 23 & 23 G1 = 3 & 3 H1 = 4 3/8(mass = 30) GBC = 135

SUMMARY The most common number of points is 8 for bucks 3 years old and older. Score antlers as 8 pointer even when more points exist - if time allows additional point lengths can be added to the 8 point score. 8 point antlers that score 130 will look BIG. Know what the average is for several physical measurements such as ear length from head, head length, eye - nose, eye - eye, and diameter of eye. ( the rule of 5 - 5 1/2 for forehead width across eyes and ear length from head applies to most bucks)

Summary Using the width across forehead from eye to eye can be useful for estimating spread and point length because this measurement remains constant as a buck is looking at you. If the ear length from side of head is 5 1/2, the distance of ear tip will be 4 1/2. Example: ear tip - ear tip will be 4 1/2 + 5 + 4 1/2 = 14 in. Points as long as eye-nose will be 6 - 7 in. and points as long as the head will be at least 11 in. Bases that appear as big as the eye will be 4 in. and those that appear as big as the nose will be 5 in. or more.

Summary The combination of beam length and point length normally accounts for 60% - 70% of the total score on most 8 pointers. Estimate the scores of mounted deer heads and then actually measure the antlers. Practice !!!

110 140 130 120

PRACTICE ??? Ask a certified Texas Big Game Awards Program OR Boone and Crockett Club scorer whenever you have questions on how to measure