Scoring
WHITETAIL DEER INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1.
INSIDE SPREAD OF MAIN BEAMS
Measure the inside spread of the main antler beams at the widest place. This measurement should be at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the skull, and parallel to its horizontal axis.
STEP 2.
CIRCUMFERENCE OF MAIN BEAM
Measure the circumference of each main antler beam at the four places indicated below. Circumferences must be taken at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the antler at the smallest place between typical tines, disregarding the non-typical tines. C-1. Between the burr and T-1. Measure the circumference of the main antler beam at the smallest place between the burr and the typical brow tine, or “eyeguard” (T-1). If T-1 is absent, measure at the smallest place between the burr and the second typical tine (T-2), which will make this measurement the same as C-2. C-2. Between T-1 and T-2. Measure the circumference of the main antler beam at the smallest place between the typical brow tine (T-1) and second typical tine (T-2). If T-1 is absent, measure at the smallest place between the burr and T-2, which will make this measurement the same as C-1. C-3. Between T-2 and T-3 Measure the circumference of the main antler beam a the smallest place between the second typical tine (T-2) and third typical tine (T-3). If T-3 is absent, measure at the smallest place between the center of the base of T-2 and the beam tip, which will make this measurement the same as C-4. C-4. Between T-3 and T-4. Measure the circumference of the main antler beam at the smallest place between the third typical tine (T-3) and fourth typical tine (T-4). If T-4 is absent, measure halfway between the center of the base of T-3 and the beam tip. If T-1 (typical brow tine) is absent, measure both C-1 and C-2 at the same place. This will be at the smallest place between the burr and T-2. If T-4 (fourth typical tine) is absent, measure C-4 halfway between the center of the base of T-3 and the beam tip. If an antler has only two points – T-1 and the beam tip, measure C-2, C-3, and C-4 at the same place. This will be halfway between the center of the base of T-1 and the beam tip. If an antler has only two points – T-2 plus the beam tip, measure C-1 and C-2 at the same place between the burr and T-2, and measure C-3 and C-4 at the same place, which will be halfway between T-2 and beam tip. If an antler is a simple spike (no tines at all), measure all four circumferences at the same place. This will be halfway between the base of the burr (not the top of the burr) and the beam tip.
STEP 3.
LENGTH OF MAIN BEAM
(Fig. 2) First, it is necessary to determine the main beams and their tips. The main beams are usually easy to identify in white-tailed deer because they will end at the rearmost points; however, some non-typical antlers may have more than one projection at the end of the beam. If so, choose the one that appears to be the logical beam tip because of its contour, size, and location. Measure the length of each main antler beam from the bottom edge of the burr (or coronet) to the tip. If a beam tip is broken so that its far point is not on the line of measurement, it should be carded off. The measurement follows the center of the antler’s outer curve and is essentially parallel to the longitudinal blood grooves. Begin the measurement where the center-line of the outer curve intersects the bottom edge of the burr. This will be on the side of the head and behind the eye, not in front of the forehead.
STEP 4.
LENGTH OF TYPICAL TINES
(Fig. 3) Even though in this method all tines are measured and included in the score, it still is necessary to identify the typical tines, because the beam circumferences must be measured between typical tines, disregarding any non-typical tines that may be present. Measure the length of each valid typical tine on each antler. If a tine is broken so that its far point is not on the line of measurement, it should be carded off. A valid tine is at least 1 inch long and no wider than its length. A typical tine is one that grows in the typical location and manner for that species. Be sure not to measure the tip of the main beam as a tine. While the beam tip is always a typical point, it is not a tine, and its length is already included in the length of the main beam.
Each typical tine on white-tailed deer antlers has a specific identification number: T-1, T-2, T-3, etc., as illustrated. Any typical tines that are missing are to be identified by a zero. In theory, there is no set limit to the number of typical tines on a white-tailed deer antler; however, it is unlikely to exceed six or seven. To be considered typical, a tine must grow in the typical manner and location and form the typical pattern for that species. Typical brow tine (T-1), if present, must grow upward from the top of the beam and not from the side or bottom of the beam, or from the burr. The other typical tines must grow upward from the beam in a typical fashion, not from the side or bottom of the beam, or from another tine. In white-tailed deer, only one tine (not both) of a double brow tine may be treated as typical (normally the longer one), the other being non-typical. However, both tines of a double tine growing elsewhere on the main beam can be typical in some cases.
STEP 5.
LENGTH OF NON-TYPICAL TINES
(Fig. 4) Measure the length of each valid non-typical tine on each antler. If a tine is broken so that its far point is not on the line of measurement, it should be carded off. A valid tine must be at least one inch long, and no wider than its length. Non-typical tines are those that do not qualify as typical.