How to measure a whitetail antler
Using only Safari Club International (SCI) scoring system.
To determine the total score of an antler you need not have a degree in calculus, but it probably would help. When we speak of the total score of a whitetail rack you hear folks say 179” or 223”, what does that mean? What they are referring to is the total sum of the length of the main beams, the length of all the tines, four circumference measurements on each antler and the inside span all added up. I will break it down for you in steps, and hopefully those of you that are not familiar will still try and make an educated guess, as this entire site is just for fun, testing your skills, and gaining experience judging whitetail deer on the hoof as far as score.
Step 1 Measuring length of main beam.
The main antler beam is measured from the bottom edge of the burr to the tip. It is measured along the center of the antlers outer curve at its midline.
Step 2 Measuring points or tines
The points or tines are the secondary points that grow from the main beam or grow from other points of tines. For a point or tine to be legal and measurable it must be 1 inch in length and no wider than its length. A tine is always measured from the SIDE of the antler beam, and is measured along its OUTER CURVE which should be its longest surface. They are measured from the base to the tip and its important to determine the exact location of the base. Try and determine the line along the top of the antler beam if the tine was not to exist, its at this point where the antler base would be and the point where you would start to measure. This principal is the same for a non-typical point from where it grows off the beam or the parent tine, measured from the side still.
Step 3 Measuring Circumference
There are 4 circumferences taken on the MAIN BEAM. Measurements are taken between the designated typical tines. See score sheet for designated spots.
Step 4 Measuring inside span of main beams
This measurement is taken on the INSIDE between the main beams at the widest place, at a right angle to the longitude axis to the skull.
Typical or Non-Typical?
SCI and Rack Addicts often refer to a rack as typical or non-typical. A typical rack the antler beams and tines must grow in a typical manner and locations, and they must form the typical pattern for the whitetail deer. Any non-typical tines that do not grow in the typical manner and location for the whitetail deer, are considered non-typical tines and recorded and measured as such. Antlers with non-typical tines will be accepted as typical only if the total length of non-typical tines amount to LESS than 5% of the typical score.
Using only Safari Club International (SCI) scoring system.
To determine the total score of an antler you need not have a degree in calculus, but it probably would help. When we speak of the total score of a whitetail rack you hear folks say 179” or 223”, what does that mean? What they are referring to is the total sum of the length of the main beams, the length of all the tines, four circumference measurements on each antler and the inside span all added up. I will break it down for you in steps, and hopefully those of you that are not familiar will still try and make an educated guess, as this entire site is just for fun, testing your skills, and gaining experience judging whitetail deer on the hoof as far as score.
Step 1 Measuring length of main beam.
The main antler beam is measured from the bottom edge of the burr to the tip. It is measured along the center of the antlers outer curve at its midline.
Step 2 Measuring points or tines
The points or tines are the secondary points that grow from the main beam or grow from other points of tines. For a point or tine to be legal and measurable it must be 1 inch in length and no wider than its length. A tine is always measured from the SIDE of the antler beam, and is measured along its OUTER CURVE which should be its longest surface. They are measured from the base to the tip and its important to determine the exact location of the base. Try and determine the line along the top of the antler beam if the tine was not to exist, its at this point where the antler base would be and the point where you would start to measure. This principal is the same for a non-typical point from where it grows off the beam or the parent tine, measured from the side still.
Step 3 Measuring Circumference
There are 4 circumferences taken on the MAIN BEAM. Measurements are taken between the designated typical tines. See score sheet for designated spots.
Step 4 Measuring inside span of main beams
This measurement is taken on the INSIDE between the main beams at the widest place, at a right angle to the longitude axis to the skull.
Typical or Non-Typical?
SCI and Rack Addicts often refer to a rack as typical or non-typical. A typical rack the antler beams and tines must grow in a typical manner and locations, and they must form the typical pattern for the whitetail deer. Any non-typical tines that do not grow in the typical manner and location for the whitetail deer, are considered non-typical tines and recorded and measured as such. Antlers with non-typical tines will be accepted as typical only if the total length of non-typical tines amount to LESS than 5% of the typical score.