Boone & Crockett Scoring Terminology
BuckManager.com | January 15 | Aging and Scoring Deer
The majority of hunters know that the Boone & Crockett Club measuring system is the most common way to score white-tailed deer antlers, but many don’t know how to properly score a harvested buck. With that said, in order to score your buck you need to understand how to take the measurements, and that calls for the clarification of some B&C terminology.
Here we go:
Point – To be a point the projection must be at least one inch long, with the length exceeding width at one inch or more of length. All points measured from tip of point to nearest edge of beam. The beam tip is also counted as a point, but it is not measured as a “point” since its length is included in total beam length.
Abnormal Point – Abnormal points are those non-typical in their location, such as points originating from a normal point, the bottom or sides of the main beam, or extra points beyond the normal pattern of points. For an example of an abnormal point, look at item E in the photo below. There are two examples.
Burr - The end of a buck’s antler that flattens out at the at the base of the head.
Beam Length – The measurement from the bottom of the burr to the tip of main beam. Item F in the photo is an example of the main beam measurement.
Gs – The letter G is used to name normal antler points. G1 refers to the first point on an antler. This is typically the location of the brow tine (if the brow tine is missing, the G1 is missing). G2 is the next tine, then G3, and so on (see photo above). A normal 8-point buck would have a G1, G2, and G3. A normal 10-point buck would have a G1, G2, G3 and G4. The end of the main beam IS NOT referred to as a G, although it does count as a point.
Hs – The letter H is used to refer to circumference of a buck’s antler. H1, H2, H3, and H4 refer to the locations on an antler where circumference, or mass, measurements are taken. Regardless of the number of points, only 4 H (circumference) measurements are taken on any buck. Circumferences are taken at the narrowest place as in the photo abovoe. In the example above, the H1 measurement for a buck’s right antler would be the smallest circumference between the burr and G1. The H2 measurement would be the smallest circumference between the G1 and G2.
Eighths – You’ve probably noticed that deer scored using the B&C method have scores such as 134 5/8 or 176 2/8. Keep in mind that all measurements are taken to the nearest eighth inch. Record 1/2 inch as 4/8 inch and it will make the math easier, especially if you don’t have a calculator!
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If two points have a common base then one of the points is non typical. So why do they show a circumference measurement being taken between the G2 and G3? It would appear they have a common base.
Bowmaster | Jan 27, 2009 | Reply
Bowmaster-
Points are either normal or abnormal, but just because two points have a common base that does not make them abnormal, especially if they are matched (both sides of the antlers). If the points did not have a common base, such as one point actually coming off the other, then one point would be abnormal. It’s confusing, but I will clarify in an article later this week.
Buck Manager | Jan 28, 2009 | Reply
What do the G’s and the H’s stand for?
Ken J Pegger | Oct 21, 2009 | Reply
To score a set of deer antlers using the Boone and Crockett method, many measurements must be taken. This series of measurements consists of 8 different variables that are named “A” through “H.” All of the measurements are added together to get the gross score.
The G measurements are the legth of the various antler points on each beam. G1 (or G-1) is the length of the first point, G2 the second, and so on and so on. The H1 (or H-1) is the circumference (or mass) and the first location where circumference measurements are taken, H2 is the second, and so on and so on.
The letters are used to eliminate confusion (A – H instead of 1 – 8), because there are already enough numbers on a page when you start scoring a deer.
Buck Manager | Oct 21, 2009 | Reply
How many points can be scored on a buck?
Lainie Parker | Jan 19, 2011 | Reply
Lainie, every point is measured on a buck. However, how those measurements play into the score depends on whether or not the points are normal or abnormal and whether the antlers are scored typical or non-typical. It can be confusing. What type of buck are you trying to score?
Buck Manager | Jan 23, 2011 | Reply
Is there an H4 measurement when scoring an eight point or 4×4 buck?
Clayton | Nov 14, 2011 | Reply
Clayton, the answer to your question is yes! There are four and only four circumference measurements taken on each antler, regardless of the number of points. The H4 measurement on an 8 point buck is taken at the mid-way point on the main beam between the G3 and the tip of the beam.
Buck Manager | Nov 16, 2011 | Reply
The question was asked: What does the letters A-H mean. Such as Define the letters. Not where they are located. I never thought of asking that myself and have hunted for years. But I also have never tried scoring my deer. Thanks, Tom.
Tommy | Dec 5, 2011 | Reply
Tommy, Buck Manager answered that question, but it can be confusing if you’ve never seen a score sheet. “A-H” are letters designated for each measurement category. The letter “F” is the length of the main beam, “E” is the total length of the abnormal points per side, “B” is your tip to tip spread (although that is not counted in your score). Only D-H are counted in the gross score. The letter “D” is the inside spread measurement. The letters themselves do not represent a specific word.
I hope that answers your question.
Hunter D | Dec 7, 2011 | Reply
WHAT ARE THE DEDUCTIONS ON A NON TYPICAL DEER?
BILLY | Jan 29, 2012 | Reply
The difference between all the normal tines, G-1 through G-whatever and the difference between H-1 through 4 (mass measurements). Non-typical buck scores (net) are still based symmetry, then the abnormal points are added in. This is why there is a gross score and a net score. Gross takes into account the sum of all measurements. Net score deducts the differences between normal points and mass.
ScoreMaster | Jan 30, 2012 | Reply