SCORING ON THE HOOF (Based on Boone and Crockett Club criteria) By: Eugene R. Fuchs

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 G4 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 ).

4. Non-typical points

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

41. GBC = 107 GBC = 126

42. 120 Class 110 Class See the difference ?

43. 140 Class 130 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. GBC @ 8 pts. 152 GBC @ 8 pts. = 153 150 Class Antlers look larger than they really are when viewed from above and behind

48. Beware of the rear view – you get anexaggerated impression of height andspread – especially with ears back.

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

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