How to Score a Set of Deer Antlers
Many hunters consider it a successful hunt if they see and shoot a deer. They do not pass on an opportunity to shoot a nice-sized buck, but they are more interested in the meat than in a trophy. Some hunters, on the other hand, target nothing but trophy bucks and shoot only those that have antlers that score high enough to make it into one of the deer-hunting record books. Still, whether they got lucky and shot a big deer, or targeted one all along, hunters who want to know how big their buck is in comparison to other bucks can do so by learning how to score a set of deer antlers.
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Instructions
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1
Decide which side of the antlers you want to measure first. Measure one side first and then the second side.
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Place the cable across the point where the first tine nearest the head extends from the main beam and draw a line. Then make a mark at the mid-point of that line. Repeat at each tine.
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3
Use a flexible steel ruler or cable to measure the outside of the rack from the burr to the farthest point.
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4
Determine the inside spread of the antlers by using a non-flexible ruler to measure the widest point between the two main beams.
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5
Measure the length of each tine. Begin at the mark you made in the middle of the line and measure to the tip. Repeat for each tine.
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Measure the circumferences of the main beam. This should be done at the smallest point below the first tine, between the first and second tine, between the second and third tine, and between the third and fourth tine. If there is no fourth tine, measure at the smallest point between the third tine and the tip of the antlers.
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Measure the length of all abnormal points. These are points that grow from a non-typical location on the rack, like off one of the tines.
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8
Measure the side of the antlers opposite from the one you first measured.
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9
For each side of the antlers, add together the following measurements: Inside spread, tine lengths, and circumference measurements. Record these figures.
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Determine the difference between the two sides. Record this figure.
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Measure and record the length of the abnormal points.
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Add together the total for each side of the antlers. Then subtract the difference between the two sides and the length of the abnormal points.
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Tips & Warnings
To be eligible for a record book, the set of antlers likely will have to be measured by an official scorer.
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Comments
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Maureen Bloesch
Jul 13, 2009
a friend gave me several sets that his wife made him get rid of...i have them on the front of our house (log cabin) we use them to hang the barbque tools, wreaths and lights on holidays...i love um!5*
