Understanding how to assess and count points on a buck’s antlers provides insight into the animal’s development, aids identification, and helps adhere to hunting regulations. This process requires recognizing specific antler features and applying established counting methods.
Counting Standard Antler Points
Counting a buck’s antler points follows widely accepted guidelines to ensure consistency. For a projection to be considered a point, it must typically be at least one inch long, and its length must exceed its width at the one-inch mark. This rule helps distinguish true points from minor bumps or irregularities.
Begin by examining each main beam individually. The tip of each main beam is always counted as a point, even without a distinct tine. Next, count all other projections that meet the one-inch length requirement, often called G-points (G1 for the brow tine, G2 for the next, and so on).
After counting all eligible points on one side, repeat the process for the other antler. The total number of points on a buck’s rack is the sum from both sides. For example, a “ten-point buck” typically has five points on each main beam, including the beam tip.
Distinguishing Between Typical and Atypical Points
Buck antlers can exhibit a variety of formations, broadly categorized as typical or atypical. Typical antlers are characterized by their symmetry and balanced appearance, with points growing uniformly upward and outward from the main beam. These antlers follow a standard pattern.
Atypical, or non-typical, antlers show irregular or asymmetrical growth. These include extra tines, points growing in unusual directions, or other abnormal formations. Examples are “kickers” or “stickers,” which originate from abnormal locations like the burr or off another typical point, and “drop tines,” which grow downward from the main beam.
In official scoring systems, like those used by organizations such as Boone and Crockett, atypical points are often treated differently than typical points. While they contribute to the overall size of the antler, they may lead to deductions in a typical score category to emphasize symmetry, or they might be counted in a separate non-typical category. This distinction helps classify antlers based on their structural conformity.
Common Counting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Accurate antler point counting can be challenging due to various factors and common misconceptions. One frequent error involves assessing broken points. If a point is broken, only the remaining attached bone meeting the one-inch length criteria is counted. A small stub or projection no longer reaching the minimum length after breaking does not qualify as a point.
Another mistake is confusing burrs or small bumps with actual points. Burrs are the rough, bony growths at the base of the antler where it attaches to the skull. They are not counted as points unless they form a distinct projection meeting the length requirement. Similarly, small, non-protruding bumps on the main beam are not considered points.
Counting points on antlers while they are still in velvet can lead to overestimation. Velvet, the soft, vascular skin covering growing antlers, makes them appear larger and thicker. For accurate assessment, points should be counted on hard antlers after the velvet has been removed. Observing antlers from multiple angles and in good lighting also helps identify and correctly count all eligible points.