Knowing how to accurately score your trophy using the Boone & Crockett system not only gives you a benchmark for evaluating your harvests from year to year, but also sets the stage for a display that does justice to your achievement. In this blog, Ohio Taxidermy Supply walks you through a step-by-step guide to scoring your buck.
The Importance of Accurate Buck Scoring
While some hunters shrug off antler measurements as mere numbers that are irrelevant to the true value of the animal, true enthusiasts know that precise scoring can:
- Provide a Benchmark: An accurate “green gross” score helps you objectively gauge the quality of your buck’s rack. Antlers are ‘green’ within 60 days of harvesting.
- Set Goals: Understanding your antler measurements helps you to compare harvests and in setting future hunting goals.
- Keep It Real: A measured score is a useful check against overzealous estimates from hunting buddies.
Even if you don’t plan to enter record books, having a reliable scoring method ensures that you appreciate every detail of your trophy’s structure—right down to each tine and curve.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Scoring Your Trophy Buck
Follow this comprehensive process to compute a gross Boone & Crockett score. This “green gross” score is your starting point before any deductions for asymmetry, which are later applied for official net scoring.
1. Measure the Inner Spread
Grab a steel tape measure and determine the widest distance between the inner edges of your buck’s main beams. This measurement—taken at the broadest point—serves as the foundation for your overall score.
2. Record Tine Lengths on One Side
Using a piece of masking tape or a pencil mark, align with the top edge of the main beam. Then, measure from this baseline to the tip of each tine (the “G” measurements). Focus on those tines that grow straight from the top of the beam and leave abnormal points for later..
3. Capture the Circumference
Next, wrap a flexible steel tape around the main beam to record four circumference measurements (the “H” values). Start with the smallest circumference between the burr (where the antler meets the skull) and the brow tine, then measure between subsequent tines. In cases with fewer tines, take the fourth measurement halfway between the last tine and the tip of the beam.
4. Measure the Main Beam Length
Using a flexible cable, carefully follow the outside contour of the main beam—from the lowest point of the burr all the way to the tip. Secure the cable with tape or clips as needed, then measure its length on a flat surface. This measurement is critical in determining the overall “reach” of the antler.
5. Mirror the Measurements
For a typical, symmetrical rack, you might score one side and double it. However, for the most accurate assessment, repeat the measurements on the other side of the antlers. This ensures that any natural variances between the sides are taken into account.
6. Account for Abnormal Points
Not all antlers conform to the standard pattern. Extra tines, drop points, or kickers—any point that doesn’t originate from the top of the main beam—must be measured separately. For these to be counted, each abnormal point should be at least one inch long and have a defined structure.
7. Tally Up Your Score
With all measurements in hand, fill out your Boone & Crockett score sheet. Add the main beam lengths, inside spread, tine lengths, and circumference values to arrive at your gross score. If you’re aiming for record entry, you’ll later deduct any asymmetry or abnormal point values to arrive at the net score. For casual scoring, however, there’s nothing wrong with recording (and telling all your hunting buddies) about every inch of your impressive buck’s gross score.
Preserving Your Trophy
Once you’ve measured and scored your trophy, the next step is to preserve your achievement with a mount that truly reflects your hard work. At Ohio Taxidermy Supply, we believe your mount should capture the essence of your hunt by using meticulously sculpted forms to achieve the most accurate representation of your animal in life. When you visit your taxidermist, ask for an Ohio Taxidermy Supply form. A quality form elevates your trophy, preserving the memory of your hunting for years to come.
Final Thoughts
Accurate buck scoring is more than just a numbers game—it’s a skill that improves your overall hunting experience. By mastering this method, you develop a sharper eye for quality and gain a reliable benchmark for your future hunts. And when it’s time to display that trophy, let Ohio Taxidermy Supply provide the superior mounting forms that elevate your achievement to a work of art!