Deer Score Calculator

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Deer Antler Score Calculator

Estimate your deer's typical Boone & Crockett or Pope & Young score.

Tine Lengths

Circumferences

Calculation Results:

function calculateDeerScore() { // Helper function to get a numeric value from an input, defaulting to 0 if invalid function getInputValue(id) { var value = parseFloat(document.getElementById(id).value); return isNaN(value) ? 0 : value; } // Get all input values var insideSpread = getInputValue("insideSpread"); var leftMainBeam = getInputValue("leftMainBeam"); var rightMainBeam = getInputValue("rightMainBeam"); var leftG1 = getInputValue("leftG1"); var rightG1 = getInputValue("rightG1"); var leftG2 = getInputValue("leftG2"); var rightG2 = getInputValue("rightG2"); var leftG3 = getInputValue("leftG3"); var rightG3 = getInputValue("rightG3"); var leftG4 = getInputValue("leftG4"); var rightG4 = getInputValue("rightG4"); var leftH1 = getInputValue("leftH1"); var rightH1 = getInputValue("rightH1"); var leftH2 = getInputValue("leftH2"); var rightH2 = getInputValue("rightH2"); var leftH3 = getInputValue("leftH3"); var rightH3 = getInputValue("rightH3"); var leftH4 = getInputValue("leftH4"); var rightH4 = getInputValue("rightH4"); // — Gross Score Calculation — var totalMainBeams = leftMainBeam + rightMainBeam; var totalTines = leftG1 + rightG1 + leftG2 + rightG2 + leftG3 + rightG3 + leftG4 + rightG4; var totalCircumferences = leftH1 + rightH1 + leftH2 + rightH2 + leftH3 + rightH3 + leftH4 + rightH4; var grossScore = insideSpread + totalMainBeams + totalTines + totalCircumferences; // — Deductions Calculation (for Typical Score) — var deductions = 0; // Main Beam Deductions deductions += Math.abs(leftMainBeam – rightMainBeam); // Tine Deductions deductions += Math.abs(leftG1 – rightG1); deductions += Math.abs(leftG2 – rightG2); deductions += Math.abs(leftG3 – rightG3); deductions += Math.abs(leftG4 – rightG4); // Will be 0 if both are 0 // Circumference Deductions deductions += Math.abs(leftH1 – rightH1); deductions += Math.abs(leftH2 – rightH2); deductions += Math.abs(leftH3 – rightH3); deductions += Math.abs(leftH4 – rightH4); // Will be 0 if both are 0 // — Net Typical Score Calculation — var netTypicalScore = grossScore – deductions; // Display results document.getElementById("grossScoreDisplay").innerHTML = "Gross Score: " + grossScore.toFixed(2) + " inches"; document.getElementById("totalDeductionsDisplay").innerHTML = "Total Deductions: " + deductions.toFixed(2) + " inches"; document.getElementById("netTypicalScoreDisplay").innerHTML = "Net Typical Score: " + netTypicalScore.toFixed(2) + " inches"; }

Understanding Deer Antler Scoring

For hunters and wildlife enthusiasts, understanding how to score deer antlers is a time-honored tradition. It's not just about bragging rights; it's a method for evaluating the quality of a deer's rack, contributing to wildlife management data, and appreciating the animal's development. The most widely recognized scoring systems are those developed by the Boone and Crockett Club (B&C) and Pope and Young Club (P&Y), both of which use similar methodologies based on antler measurements in inches.

What is Deer Antler Scoring?

Deer antler scoring is a standardized system to measure the size and symmetry of a deer's antlers. While there are categories for "typical" and "non-typical" antlers, this calculator focuses on the "typical" scoring method, which rewards symmetry and classic antler growth patterns. The final score is expressed in inches.

Key Measurements Explained

To accurately score a deer, several specific measurements are taken. Precision is crucial, and all measurements are typically rounded to the nearest eighth of an inch, though for this calculator, decimal inputs are accepted.

  • Inside Spread Credit: This is the greatest distance between the inside surfaces of the main beams. It contributes to the gross score but is capped at the length of the longest main beam for typical scores. For simplicity, this calculator uses the direct measurement.
  • Main Beam Length: Measured from the burr (the base of the antler) along the outside curve to the tip of the main beam. Both left and right beams are measured.
  • Tine Lengths (G1, G2, G3, G4): Tines (or points) are measured from the nearest edge of the main beam to their tip.
    • G1: The brow tine, closest to the burr.
    • G2: The second tine from the burr.
    • G3: The third tine.
    • G4: The fourth tine (if present).
    Each corresponding tine on the left and right antler is measured.
  • Circumferences (H1, H2, H3, H4): These measurements assess the mass or thickness of the main beam. Four circumferences are taken on each main beam:
    • H1: Between the burr and G1.
    • H2: Between G1 and G2.
    • H3: Between G2 and G3.
    • H4: Between G3 and G4, or halfway between G3 and the main beam tip if no G4. If only three tines, H4 is taken halfway between G3 and the main beam tip. If fewer tines, the remaining circumferences are taken at approximately equal intervals.
    Again, corresponding circumferences on both left and right antlers are measured.

Gross Score vs. Net Typical Score

The scoring process yields two primary results:

  • Gross Score: This is the sum of all individual measurements: inside spread, main beam lengths, all tine lengths, and all circumference measurements. It represents the total amount of antler material.
  • Net Typical Score: This is the gross score minus any deductions for asymmetry. For a typical score, symmetry is highly valued. If the left G2 tine is 10 inches and the right G2 tine is 9 inches, there's a 1-inch deduction for that pair. These deductions are summed up and subtracted from the gross score to arrive at the net typical score.

How to Use the Calculator

Simply input the measurements for your deer's antlers into the corresponding fields. If a particular tine (like G4) or circumference section is not present, you can leave the field blank or enter '0'. The calculator will automatically sum your inputs and calculate both the gross and net typical scores.

Example Calculation

Let's consider a hypothetical 8-point (4×4) buck with the following measurements:

  • Inside Spread: 18.0 inches
  • Left Main Beam: 24.5 inches, Right Main Beam: 24.0 inches
  • Left G1: 5.0 inches, Right G1: 5.2 inches
  • Left G2: 10.0 inches, Right G2: 10.5 inches
  • Left G3: 8.0 inches, Right G3: 7.8 inches
  • Left G4: 0.0 inches, Right G4: 0.0 inches (no G4 tines)
  • Left H1: 4.5 inches, Right H1: 4.6 inches
  • Left H2: 4.0 inches, Right H2: 4.1 inches
  • Left H3: 3.5 inches, Right H3: 3.4 inches
  • Left H4: 3.0 inches, Right H4: 3.0 inches

Using these values in the calculator:

  • Gross Score: (18.0) + (24.5+24.0) + (5.0+5.2+10.0+10.5+8.0+7.8+0.0+0.0) + (4.5+4.6+4.0+4.1+3.5+3.4+3.0+3.0) = 18.0 + 48.5 + 46.5 + 30.1 = 143.1 inches
  • Deductions:
    • Main Beam: |24.5 – 24.0| = 0.5
    • G1: |5.0 – 5.2| = 0.2
    • G2: |10.0 – 10.5| = 0.5
    • G3: |8.0 – 7.8| = 0.2
    • G4: |0.0 – 0.0| = 0.0
    • H1: |4.5 – 4.6| = 0.1
    • H2: |4.0 – 4.1| = 0.1
    • H3: |3.5 – 3.4| = 0.1
    • H4: |3.0 – 3.0| = 0.0
    • Total Deductions: 0.5 + 0.2 + 0.5 + 0.2 + 0.0 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.0 = 1.7 inches
  • Net Typical Score: 143.1 – 1.7 = 141.4 inches

Important Note

This calculator provides an estimate based on the standard Boone and Crockett / Pope and Young typical scoring methodology. For an official score, antlers must be measured by a certified scorer after a mandatory drying period (usually 60 days). This tool is excellent for field estimates, personal record-keeping, and educational purposes.

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