1. The most common number of points to score white-tailed deer antlers is eight points for bucks three years or older, even if more points exist. 2. Key physical measurements that can help estimate antler size include ear length from head (typically 5-5.5 inches), head length (around 12 inches), and distance between eyes (around 5.5 inches). 3. Combining beam length and point length typically accounts for 60-70% of the total score for an eight-point buck, with longer beams and points correlating to higher scores. Practice estimating scores to improve.

1. 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

2. 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

3. Typical vs. Non-typical Points 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 ). G4

4. Non-typical points

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

6. 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

8. 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.

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

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

11. Matched non-typical points Cannot be measured as TYPICAL POINTS

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

13. 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.

14. Outside eye - eye 5 1/2 in.

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

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

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

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

19. 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

20. 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

21. Spread = 10 6/8 Beams = 16 7/8 & 16 2/8 G1 = 1 7/8 & 3 1/8 G2 = 6 2/8 & 6 G3 = 5 4/8 & 4 H1 = 2 7/8 ( mass = 20 ) GBC @ 8 pts. = 90

22. 90 Class

23. Spread = 12 6/8 Beams = 18 6/8 & 20 G1 = 3 1/8 & 4 1/8 G2 = 7 & 6 1/8 G3 = 5 & 6 1/8 H1 = 3 1/8 ( mass = 22 ) GBC @ 8 pts. = 105

24. Spread = 15 Beams = 18 & 18 3/8 G1 = 4 & 4 G2 = 7 5/8 & 7 3/8 G3 = 5 5/8 & 6 6/8 H1 = 3 4/8 ( mass = 23 ) GBC @ 8 pts. = 106

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

26. 100 Class

27. Spread = 12 Beams = 17 5/8 & 17 2/8 G1 = 3 & 3 2/8 G2 = 6 7/8 & 6 5/8 G3 = 6 3/8 & 7 H1 = 3 6/8 ( mass = 29 ) GBC @ 8 pts. = 111

28. Spread = 13 4/8 Beams = 18 & 18 G1 = 1 5/8 & 2 3/8 G2 = 10 2/8 & 10 1/8 G3 = 8 2/8 & 7 6/8 H1 = 3 4/8 ( mass = 24 ) GBC @ 8 pts. = 114

29. Spread = 17 6/8 Beams = 18 5/8 & 18 G1 = 4 2/8 & 5 G2 = 7 2/8 & 7 2/8 G3 = 6 & 5 2/8 H1 = 3 6/8 ( mass = 26 ) GBC @ 8 pts. = 116

30. Spread = 12 6/8 Beams = 20 & 19 4/8 G1 = 3 6/8 & 5 G2 = 9 4/8 & 10 G3 = 5 4/8 & 5 H1 = 3 6/8 ( mass = 26 ) GBC @ 8 pts. = 117

31. 110 Class

32. Spread = 15 Beams = 18 4/8 & 18 6/8 G1 = 2 6/8 & 2 4/8 G2 = 11 3/8 & 10 G3 = 7 5/8 & 8 H1 = 4 ( mass = 26 ) GBC @ 8 pts. = 120

33. 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

34. Spread = 16 2/8 Beams = 18 4/8 & 19 2/8 G1 = 2 4/8 & 2 5/8 G2 = 10 3/4 & 10 4/8 G3 = 9 5/8 & 9 2/8 H1 = 4 4/8 ( mass = 30 ) GBC @ 8 pts. = 127

35. 120 Class

36. Spread = 15 4/8 Beams = 22 & 22 G1 = 3 6/8 & 3 4/8 G2 = 11 4/8 & 11 4/8 G3 = 9 & 8 4/8 H1 = 3 6/8 ( mass = 27 ) GBC @ 8 pts. = 135

37. Beams = 19 6/8 & 20 G2 = 10 2/8 & 9 4/8 G3 = 10 1/8 & 9 4/8 H1 = 4 6/8 ( mass = 27 ) GBC @ 8 pts. = 138

38. 130 Class

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

40. 120 Class Spread = 17 H1 = 4 2/8 ( MASS = 28 ) 1OO Class Spread = 12 H1 = 3 4/8 ( mass = 23 ) Broken G3

41. GBC = 107 GBC = 126

42. 110 Class 120 Class See the difference ?

43. 130 Class 140 Class Point and beam length are the difference in score on these bucks

44. 140 Class

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

46. Points = 8 Spread = 19 2/8 Beams = 25 6/8 & 25 5/8 G1 =5 2/8 & 5 4/8 G2 = 12 6/8 & 11 2/8 G3 = 9 5/8 & 10 4/8 H1 = 5 & 4 7/8 ( mass = 34 3/8) GBC = 159 7/8 Net B&C = 156 6/8

47. 150 Class GBC @ 8 pts. 152 GBC @ 8 pts. = 153 Antlers look larger than they really are when viewed from above and behind

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

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

50. Rear views are often deceiving especially if ears are back

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

52. What will he score ????

53. 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 )

54. Scoring reviewed

55. 5 1/2 How wide ?

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

57. 21 1/2 5 1/2 3 1/2 4 1/2 4 1/2 3 1/2

58. G1 G2 G3 Spread = 21 4/8 Beams = 23 & 23 G1 = 3 & 3 G2 = 9 & 9 G3 = 6 4/8 & 7 4/8 H1 = 4 3/8 (mass = 30) GBC = 135

59. 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)

60. 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.

61. 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 !!!

62. 110 120 130 140

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