Deer antlers are fast-growing bone structures that extend from a male deer’s skull and are typically shed and regrown each year. They are temporary organs composed of bone, cartilage, and other tissues, unlike permanent horns, which are made of keratin. Antler growth is controlled by hormones, specifically testosterone, timed to the breeding season. The brow tine is one of the most recognizable projections originating from the main beam.
Precise Identification and Location
The brow tine is the first projection to emerge from the main beam of the antler, making it the one closest to the deer’s head. Its location is directly above the deer’s eye and forehead, which is the origin of its common name. In standardized antler measurement language, the brow tine is designated as the G1 point.
It is the lowest tine on the antler, situated just above the burr, the rough, bony rim at the antler’s base. The brow tine often projects forward and upward, sometimes serving as a defensive guard for the deer’s eyes during sparring. While other tines can be quite long, the brow tine is typically shorter, though its size varies significantly based on the deer’s age, genetics, and nutritional status. The presence or absence of this tine is often an inherited trait.
The Antler’s Structure and Terminology
The brow tine is part of a larger bony structure that begins at the pedicle, the permanent bump on the skull to which the antler attaches. The burr forms a distinct ring around the base of the antler, separating the bony projection from the pedicle. Extending from the burr is the main beam, the central stalk that forms the foundation of the rack.
All other typical tines branch off the main beam and are sequentially numbered after the brow tine (G1). The G2 is the next tine up the beam, followed by the G3, and so on, with the end of the main beam often counted as a point. A typical antler configuration features symmetrical tines growing in expected locations. Conversely, non-typical antlers feature tines that grow abnormally, such as drop tines that grow downward or points that grow off another tine instead of the main beam.
Importance in Wildlife Management and Scoring
The brow tine (G1) holds measurable value within formalized antler scoring systems, such as those used by the Boone & Crockett Club. Its length is a mandatory measurement point and contributes directly to the total score. The length of the G1 is added to the lengths of the main beam and all other tines to determine a deer’s gross score.
Wildlife biologists and managers often use the presence or absence of the brow tine as an indicator of genetic quality within a herd. Studies show a correlation between the absence of brow tines in a young buck and the likelihood of that characteristic persisting throughout its life. Therefore, the G1 is a useful factor in quality deer management programs, helping to track the prevalence of certain antler characteristics. Its measurement, along with the circumference measurements taken along the beam (H1 is the circumference between the burr and the G1), provides standardized data for monitoring herd health and maturity.