Aging and Scoring Deer | Deer Hunting & Management

Measuring Point Length in White-tailed Deer

Scoring your buck using the Boone & Crockett Method is not difficult, but it does require some time and effort. The biggest mistake most people make when scoring a whitetail’s antlers is inaccurately measuring the lengths of the points. To properly measure a point, you must first know the definition of a scorable point.

To determine how many normal and abnormal points your trophy has, the next step is to establish baselines so that “possible points” can be identified and all point lengths can be obtained. Determine the baseline at the base of each point along the main beam. To do this, dig into your scoring equipment and find your flexible steel cable.

Before we get into establishing baselines, remember that each point must be classified as either normal or abnormal. All normal points project from the top, not the sides or bottom, of the main beam and normal points may not branch from other points. The final point count for each antler includes all measurable points, normal and abnormal, plus remember the main beam tips.

Look at both sides of the rack and match up points by their location. Points that originate from the sides or bottoms of the main beams are obviously abnormal. If there are extra points along the tops of the main beams, such as between “normally” spaced points (compare to the other antler), this will create obvious mis-matches from the left side to the right side and these may be considered abnormal points (antlers with numerous abnormal points will most likely be scored as non-typical bucks).

With all of that said, let’s establish baselines. Hold the cable on top of the main beam about an inch from the point in question and run it around the point to the top of the main beam on the other side of the point. Holding the cable in place, you can see where the antler material from the main beam intersects material from the antler point. Using a pencil, draw a line below the cable.

You have now established the baseline for this point, but you must repeat this process in order to establish the baselines for every other point. With baselines established, use the flexible steel cable and measure from the tips of the points to their respective baselines.

Establishing the correct baseline is very important because you do not want to under-estimate point length, but you also don’t want to over-estimate. In addition, for small points, a proper baseline is important because it will allow you to determine whether or not the point meets the definition of a point. Also, keep in mind that you may have to repeat this process for abnormal points that occur on normal points. In this instance, repeat the baseline process but the point will serve as the “main beam” and the abnormal point will serve as the “point.”

On white-tailed deer antlers, all normal points project from the top, not the sides or bottom, of the main beam and they may not branch from other points. The final point count for each antler includes all measurable points, normal and abnormal, plus the main beam tip. Look at both sides of the rack and match up points by their location. If extra points along the beam tops create obvious mis-matches from side to side, these may be abnormal.

Scoring Equipment for Boone & Crockett Method

Prior articles have covered the necessary measurements to properly score a white-tailed buck using the Boone & Crockett Scoring system, so now it’s time to cover all the necessary equipment you will need. You can either purchase of the items individually, buy a scoring set from any of the many outdoor retailers, or get an “official” set from Boone & Crockett.

First, anyone interested in scoring deer will need a 1/4 inch steel tape to measure the antlers. This is mandated by the rules, and no other instrument can be used to measure the antlers — except a flexible steel cable can be used to measure the points and main beams. However, you still need the tape to measure the cable length.

And yes, you need to get a flexible steel cable as it is the most accurate for taking both the beam and point (tine) measurements, and we know you want every 1/8″ you can get! Also, you will need an “alligator” clip or other device to securely mark the cable. If you buy a scoring set, all of the necessary equipment should be included, but many of you can probably gather up most of the equipment needed right out of your work bench.

Lastly, you will need a score sheet (below) to ensure that you take and record all of the necessary measurements, and remember to take each . If it looks like your trophy will make “book,” then it’s time to find and Official Boone & Crockett Scorer! However, keep in mind that no offical measurements can be taken until a mandatory 60 day drying period has elapsed.

Boone & Crockett Score Sheet:

— Please note that the Boone and Crockett Club score charts are protected by copyright laws. The score charts reproduced in this section are for personal use only and not acceptable for entry in the Club’s Awards Program. Official score charts can be obtained from official measurers or the Club’s headquarters at a nominal price.

Mass and Beam Measurements

Throughout the previous parts of this series on how to score white-tailed deer using the Boone & Crockett method we have gone over scoring terminolgy and have examined all the factors that impact gross and net scores, in addition to classifying typical and nontypical white-tailed deer antlers. By this point, you know that the widest inside spread between beams, beam lengths, circumferences, and point (tine) lengths all add together to give a gross B&C score. We also discussed how deductions are calculated and how this impacts net score.

Now at this point, I’m going to tell you exactly how to take the main beam measurements as well as mass (circumference) measurements. First, make sure you have the proper scoring equipment, then take the the right beam length by measuring from the bottom of the burr to the very tip of the beam (see diagram below). Repeat this process on the left beam. Record these measurements to the nearest eighth and beam measurements are completed.

Now, let’s discuss taking mass measurements. There are always 4 mass measurements taken on each the left and the right antlers. The H1 measurement is the smallest circumference between the burr and the G1. Check the circumference at several locations between the burr and base of the G1 and record the smallest circumference.

The H2 measurement is the smallest circumference between the G1 and G2. The H3 measurement is the smallest circumference between the G2 and G3. The H4 measurement is the smallest circumference between the G3 and G4. If the antlers you are scoring are from a typical 10-point (or more) rack, the measurements are simple to take.

However, if you are scoring an 8-point rack, there is no G4! In this case, the H4 measurement must be taken from half-way between the G3 and the tip of the main. Simply measure the main beam from the center of the G3 to the tip of the beam, divide by 2, and mark the beam this distance from the end. Take your H4 circumference and your mass measurements for that side are completed.

Keep in mind that on a 9-point rack with 4 normal points on one side and 5 normal points on the other, the H4 on one side will be taken between the G3 and G4, but the H4 on the other side will be taken between the G3 and the tip of the beam. With an unmatched (unpaired) point, a sizeable deduction will likely be evident between the right H4 and left H4 (the G4 will be deducted from the net score as well). As I mentioned earlier, symmetry is good and asymmetry is bad when it comes to Boone and Crockett scores and white-tailed deer.

Typical and Nontypical Whitetail Antlers

Prior articles have discussed normal and abnormal points with regards to deer antlers, but today we are discussing typical and nontypical white-tailed deer antlers. Every set of antlers is classified as typical or nontypical and can be scored as either a typical or non-typical rack. This may sound confusing, but there are advantages to scoring certain sets of antlers one way or the other.

For the purposed of Boone & Crockett Club, typical antlers are those that look like “normal” buck antlers, such as a 10-point buck that has 5-points per side with matched G1s, G2s, G3s, and G4s. Typical means the antlers have antler points in the typical locations where points are found and the conformation on the buck’s rack are typical in nature.

Typical and Nontypical White-tailed Antlers

Take, for example, the set of antlers above. Appears to be from a healthy buck, one that most of use would have been more than happy to use a tag on. One of the great things about whitetail bucks is that no two are the same. Some will look “normal” while others fall into the freak show category.

All are unique and rather amazing when you think about it, since antlers are grown and shed year after year. With as many different types of antler configurations out there, antlers are still score only 2 ways when it comes to the Boone & Crockett Club system.

Typical White-tailed Deer Antlers

Nontypical white-tailed buck antlers, on the other hand, are sets of antlers that do not look normal. These can be slightly odd looking, such as having unmatched points (say 4-points on one side and 6 on the other) or can be a totally freakish buck with 34 points going in every direction with points off points.

Typical and Nontypical White-tailed Antlers

Nontypical White-tailed Deer Antlers

The most important thing to remember regarding scoring both typical and nontypical antlers is that having a typical, symmetrical frame is very important for the net score. When scoring a typical 8-point, for example, each point is measured and compared to the paired point on the other side of the rack. The left G1 is compared to the right G1, the left G2 to the right G2, and G3 to G3. The difference between in length between G1s is where deductions take place. The same is true for circumferences (H) as well as the main beams.

For the gross score, all the point lengths, inside spread, beam lengths, and circumferences add up for total inches. To get the net score on a typical rack, the differences in paired points, circumferences, and beam lengths are deducted. If all the points are the same length, all the circumferences are the same, and the beams are the same length, the gross and net score will be identical because there are no differences between antler sides, no deductions to be had.

For the gross score on a nontypical white-tailed deer rack, all the point lengths, inside spread, beam lengths, and circumferences add up for total inches. To get the net score on a nontypical rack, the differences in paired points, circumferences, and beam lengths are deducted. Abnormal points still add to the net score on a nontypical rack.

Typical and Nontypical White-tailed Antlers

If there is an abnormal point on a typical set of antlers, then that point will be deducted from the net score. Why? Because it is abnormal. It does not matter if it’s a “kicker” off another point or a buck that has 5-points on one side and 6 on the other. Five of the points will be typical because they are matched, but the 6th point will be “abnormal” so to speak. In some cases, good judgement may be needed to properly score your buck and determine which points are normal and paired and which ones are abnormal.

Boone & Crockett Scoring Terminology

What’s a G2, G3, etc.?

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. Of course, hunters also score shed antlers or dead bucks they have found somewhere.

In order to correctly score a buck you first need to understand how to take the required antler measurements, and that calls for the clarification of some B&C terminology. It’s relatively simple once you learn the lingo, but not something that’s easy to recall unless you score deer on a regular basis.

Learning the proper terms will help tremendously when discussing antlers in general and specific measurements with another hunter that is experienced with scoring deer antlers. Otherwise, one will not understand they other and that just means at least one of you will be completely lost — kind of like going anywhere without knowing the native language. Knowing what terms refer to will not only help you “get it,” but lend you and others confidence that you know what you’re doing.

Boone & Crockett Scoring Terminology

Boone and Crockett Terms

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.

Boone & Crockett Scoring Terminology

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.

Boone & Crockett Scoring Terminology

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 above. 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!