All About Scoring Deer Antlers
Have you recently shot and killed a Whitetail or Mule buck? Or, are you looking more into taxidermy and want to learn more about terminology? In this article, our taxidermy team will explain everything you need to know about scoring your buck’s antlers.
To start, you should know that there are several different antler scoring systems used, such as Safari Club International and Boone and Crockett.
Antler Scoring System Terminology
Let’s dig into terminology to know when it comes to scoring a deer’s antlers:
Point
In order to be considered a point, any point on the antlers must be at least 1 inch long. Hunters and taxidermists use the letter G to refer to each antler point.
For example, G1 refers to the 1st point, and G2 refers to the 2nd point, etc. The letter H meanwhile, refers to the circumference of the antler.
Beam
The beam is the main part of the antler, which extends from the burr to the tip.
Abnormal Point
A point that juts out from the antlers in an atypical location is what we call an abnormal point. For instance, an abnormal point can shoot off from a normal point, the side or bottom of the main beam, or at any other point besides the typical antler pattern.
Burr
The burr can be found at the base of the antler, flattening at the base of the deer’s skull.
How to Use the Antler Scoring System
If you’re unfamiliar with how to score antlers, below is a guide to refer to:
1. Measure the Inside Spread
Use a yardstick or tape measure to measure the inside spread of your Whitetail or Mule deer’s antlers. To do this, you should stand the rack up and take a measurement at the widest point between the beams. Take a note of the measurement before moving on to step two.
2. Measure the Main Beams
Next, use your tape measure to start your measurement at the burr and then measure all the way yp to the tip of the beam on the outside. Jot down this measurement as well.
3. Measure Each Antler Point
Measure each antler point, starting with the G1 point.
4. Measure the Mass
To measure the mass of the deer’s antlers, you will take a measurement of the mass (the thinnest point) between the burr and the G1 point, G1 and G2 point, G2 and G3 point, and G3 and G4 point.
5. Add All Measurements Together
To calculate the total gross score, you will add all measurements you have taken thus far together.
Shop Deer Antlers & European Mounts
At All-Taxidermy, our experts have decades of combined experience in the professional antler and skull preservation industry. We are a local taxidermy shop that’s based in the Wrightstown, WI area, serving local and online customers alike.
Our team works with smaller, elegant species like the Whitetail deer, Mule deer, Roe deer, Axis deer, Black-tailed deer, Coues deer, Pere David’s deer, and Fallow deer, or more majestic species such as the Sika deer, Red stag, Elk, Caribou, Moose, and many species of deer with magnificent antlers.
We work with deer species from North America, Europe, Asia, and around the globe! To get started, please browse all our antlers, European mounts, or deer shoulder mounts here, or contact us for a custom quote.
Contact Us
We are the deer taxidermy experts! If you need assistance with scoring your deer antlers or you need deer mount ideas to spruce up your cabin, we can help! Simply contact us online or by phone at 888-983-3886 and a taxidermy professional will be happy to assist you.
