Scoring Your Buck

Record Book? Check It Yourself.

By Ray Ward

Each year hundreds of trophy whitetails are harvested in the tri-state area and many may even qualify for the record books. But, how do we know if our trophy is worthy of being scored for the books? The following will give you a very brief illustration of how to rough-score your trophy head.

The score of your deer consists mainly of the following basic components.

The inside spread of the main beams:

To measure, place the tape horizontally between the beams at the widest point.

Enter this measurement on Line "D" of your score sheet. (Shown Below)

Length of the main beams:

At eye level from the side, line up the two main beams. Find the center of the beam when viewed from the side. The lowest edge of the burr is your starting point. Follow a path along the centerline of the outside curve of the antler to the tip.

Enter this measurement on Line "F".

Length of points:

To be counted, a point must be one inch in length. Points are measured from the tip to the base of the point. The basic idea to marking the base is to determine the line that would exist if the point were not present. Once this line is established, the measurement is then taken over the outer curvature of the point from the tip to the center point of the base line.

It is important to remember that the tip of the main beam is not measured as an extra point. The point measurements are recorded as G-1, G-2, G-3, etc. on the score sheet.

Circumference Measurements:

The circumference is taken at four locations on the main beam. The first being the smallest place between the burr and first point, or G-1. The second at the smallest place between the first point (G-1) and the second point (G-2). The third at the smallest place between the second point (G-2) and the third point (G-3). The fourth at the smallest place between the third point (G-3) and the fourth point (G-4), or halfway between the third point (G-3) and the tip if the fourth point is missing.

These measurements are recorded as H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4 on the score sheet.

Abnormal points:

These are points considered to be non-typical in location. Any point that forks off another must be treated as abnormal. Any point projecting from the main beam downward (drop tines) or points that are side by side on top of the main beam have to be counted as abnormal.

Abnormal points are measured in the same manner as typical using a baseline to tip measurement.

All abnormal points are totaled and entered on Line "E" of the score sheet.

Totaling your score:

Total of Column #1 (inside spread). Total of Column #2 (right antler). Total Column #3 (left antler).

In Column #4, list the difference between right and left antler on each line. Then total Column #4, including Line "E".

Now total Columns #1, #2 and #3 and subtract Column #4. This will give you your typical score.

For a non-typical score, do not add Line "E" to Column #4. Then follow the same procedure for typical, but ADD Line "E". This will give you your non-typical score.

The minimum entry score for Boone & Crocket is 170 typical or 195 non-typical. The minimum entry score for Pope & Young (deer taken by archers) is 125 typical and 155 non-typical. The minimum entry for the Buckeye Big Buck Club is 140 typical and 160 non-typical.

If your rough-score approaches these minimum scores, by all means have it officially scored. A list of scorers in your area is usually available from your county game protector.

Whether your deer is recorded in the "Book", or just recorded in your heart as an enjoyable experience in the field, a whitetail buck of any size is truly a trophy to be proud of.