White-Tailed Deer Antler Score: a Pictorial Presentation
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White-tailed Deer Antler Score: A Pictorial Presentation NF-WF-14-02 Michael D. Porter thresholds, which encourages hunt- non-typical points to the net typical Wildlife and Fisheries Consultant ers to be more selective and pass up score (Figure 2). The typical tine ar- Agricultural Division small-antlered bucks. For such ap- rangement arises from the top of the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation proaches to be successful, hunters main beams. Non-typical points origi- Ardmore, Oklahoma 73401 and deer managers need to be able to nate from other locations such as other judge or estimate antler scores when points, the sides or bottoms of the Kenneth L. Gee viewing bucks in the field. By studying main beams, or between typical points. Conservation Delivery Specialist the photos and associated parameters The Boone and Crockett Club typi- Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture in this publication, many readers can cally does not utilize or record gross 6438 Gene Autry Road improve their ability to estimate antler score. However, many hunters and sev- Ardmore, Oklahoma 73401 scores of bucks in the field. eral other programs use and refer to Bucks in this publication were har- gross antler score. In this publication, vested in Oklahoma and are organized gross antler score is the net typical Introduction by gross antler score from lower to Boone and Crockett score plus de- From a hunting and economic perspec- higher. We attempt to show the pho- ductions (sum of column 3 on Figure tive, white-tailed deer, Odocoileus vir- tos at a 1:8 scale (1 inch in a photo on 1) and the sum of non-typical point ginianus, is the most important wildlife an 8.5-inch x 11-inch page represents lengths, or the net non- typical score species in the eastern half of the U.S. approximately 8 inches actual size), so plus deductions. More landowners and hunters in this apparent differences in antler size can To be a ‘point,’ a projection must be region are interested in white-tailed represent actual differences; however, at least 1 inch long and must be longer deer than in any other wildlife species. each photo has depth and angle dis- than its broadest width at least 1 inch More income is generated for eastern, tortions that limit accurate correlation. from the tip (Figure 3). Length of a central and southern state wildlife When available, the following informa- point is measured along the outside departments and landowners through tion is provided for each buck: photos center of a point between its tip and white-tailed deer hunting than is gener- depicting front and side views of head base. The base of a point is the loca- ated by any other wildlife species. with antlers, gross and net Boone and tion where the normal surface of the Many, if not most, deer hunters and Crockett scores, number of points, main beam or other point would occur deer managers want to harvest bucks inside and outside spreads, main beam without the point. Inside spread is with large antlers. Antler size and lengths, antler circumferences, point the widest space between the antler corresponding antler score typically lengths and dressed weight. beams perpendicular to the center increase as a buck ages. In many areas, In this publication, antler score re- line of the skull and parallel to the skull buck age is the factor that most limits fers to Boone and Crockett score. The cap (measurement D in Figures 1 and antler size of male white-tailed deer Boone and Crockett scoring system 2). Basal circumference is the smallest even though nutrition and genetics (www.boone-crockett.org) is the most circumference measurement between also play important roles. widely used and accepted scoring the burr and the first typical point, and Most bucks must be allowed to live system for big game such as white- is referred to as H1 on the Boone and several years to have the opportunity tailed deer. Several antler score record Crockett score sheets (Figures 1 and to achieve moderate to large antler and award programs such as Pope 2). Three additional circumferences size. Several strategies are utilized and Young Records, Cy Curtis Awards, are measured on each antler, which to limit buck harvest and increase Texas Big Game Awards, Magnolia are referred to as H2, H3 and H4 on buck survival, such as property buck Records, Outstanding White-tailed the Boone and Crockett score sheets harvest limits, hunter buck harvest Deer, etc., use this scoring system. (Figures 1 and 2). The burr is a ridge limits, hunter education, doe hunting Boone and Crockett white-tailed deer at the base of an antler just above the emphasis, doe harvest requirement antler score represents a sum of antler location where an antler attaches to before harvesting a buck, and shoul- lengths, point lengths, circumferences the frontal bone. The first typical point der mount requirement when a buck and inside spread measured in inches (also called a brow tine) on an antler is harvested. Successful programs to the nearest ⅛ inch. is referred to as G1 on the Boone and usually incorporate several strategies. Net typical Boone and Crockett Crockett score sheets (Figures 1 and Some deer harvest management score includes deductions for asym- 2); however, it is not always present. programs on private properties allow metry and non-typical points (Figure Successive typical points are referred hunters to harvest bucks only when 1). Net non-typical Boone and Crock- to as G2, G3, etc., on the Boone and their antlers score above certain ett score adds the collective length of Crockett score sheets (Figures 1 and 2).4 The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation WILDLIFE Main beam length (measurement F in Some scores in this publication are seen in photographs of recently har- Figures 1 and 2) is measured along the “green” scores (measured before the vested bucks. Green scores are indi- outside centerline of an antler from the required Boone and Crockett 60-day cated with an asterisk. middle lower edge of the burr to the drying period). Green scores can be This information is published as a distal tip of the main beam (Figures slightly higher than scores for the same digital, online publication so the au- 1 and 2). Dressed weight is measured antlers measured after the 60-day dry- thors can update or revise the publica- in pounds after removal of abdominal ing period; nevertheless, green scores tion easily. and thoracic viscera and sex organs. should accurately reflect the antlers 2 The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation WILDLIFE ® BOONE AND CROCKETT CLUB Entering Your Boone OFFICIAL SCORING SYSTEM FOR NORTH AMERICAN BIG GAME TROPHIES and Crockett Trophy TYPICAL WHITETAIL AND COUES’ DEER TROPHY ENTRY CHECK LIST (CHECK ONE): MINIMUM SCORES E AWARDS ALL-TIME ■ Original score chart signed and dated by the Official Measurer. C r whitetail 160 170 ■ Clearly focused photographs of trophy front, right side and left side of B r Coues’ 100 110 horns or rack. For skulls, include photographs of front, top, left side and right side. Slides are not acceptable. D E G3 ■ Entry affidavit either witnessed by an Official Measurer or notarized. G4 G2 (Hunter-taken trophies only) E G5 E ■ Completed Hunter, Guide and Hunt Information Form. (Hunter-taken trophies only) H4 ■ Copy of hunting license/big-game tags used to take the trophy. (Hunter- F H3 taken trophies only) Detail of Point E E Measurement ■ $40.00 non-refundable registration fee per trophy entry. G1 H2 ABNORMAL POINTS ■ H1 If available, please send a field photograph of you and your trophy. Right Antler Left Antler ADDRESS INFORMATION SEE OTHER SIDE FOR SCORING INSTRUCTIONS FIrSt MIddlE InItIal laSt BELOW DATA (A, B, & C) DO NOT CALCULATE IN THE FINAL SCORE BUT ARE REQUIRED A. No. Points on Right Antler No. Points on Left Antler MaIlInG addrESS B. Tip to Tip Spread C. Greatest Spread SUBTOTALS CIty StatE ZIp TOTAL TO E ■ HOME ■ OFFICE Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 D. Inside Spread of SPREAD CREDIT (May Equal But tElEpHOnE Main Beams Not Exceed Longer MAIN BEAM) Right Antler Left Antler Difference E. Total of Lengths of Abnormal Points E-MaIl addrESS F. Length of Main Beam PAYM ENT INF ORMATION G-1. Length of First Point CatEGOry SCOrE FEE $ tOtal G-2. Length of Second Point trophy Entry 1: $40.00 G-3. Length of Third Point trophy Entry 2: $40.00 G-4. Length of Fourth Point, If Present G-5. Length of Fifth Point, If Present trophy Entry 3: $40.00 G-6. Length of Sixth Point, If Present TROPHY ENTRY SUBTOTAL G-7. Length of Seventh Point, If Present yES, I’d like to join the Boone and Crockett Club’s associates program. ■ ■ ■ H-1. Circumference at Smallest Place Between Burr and First Point please sign me up for: 1 year - $35 2 years - $62.50 5 years - $140 (Canada/Mexico add $5 per year - all other countries add $10 per year) ■ new ■ renewal H-2. Circumference at Smallest Place Between First and Second Points I’d like to become a lIFEtIME aSSOCIatE of the Boone and Crockett Club. H-3. Circumference at Smallest Place Between Second and Third Points ■ 1 payment of $1,000 ■ 4 payments of $250 ■ 12 payments of $83.34 Subject to approval. payment plan options (4 or 12 payments) are available for credit card orders only. H-4. Circumference at Smallest Place Between Third and Fourth Points A SSOCIA TES PROGRAM SUBTOTAL TOTALS A SSOCIA TES PROGRAM SUBTOTAL Spread Credit Exact Locality Where Killed:* County: State/Prov: TOTA L AMOUNT D UE ADD Column 1 Hunter (Legal Name): Date Killed: TOGETHER: typE OF payMEnt: US FUndS Only Column 2 Trophy Owner (Legal Name): Telephone #: CHECk/MOnEy OrdEr CrEdIt Card (fill out information below) Subtotal Trophy Owner’s Address: SUBTRACT: Column 3 Trophy Owner’s Email: Guide’s Name: CrEdIt Card nUMBEr Mastercard, Visa, american Express or discover EXp.