An un-official score sheet
follows these instructions, Please scroll down.
The following are very
basic and generalized instructions on how to score a typical
deers rack. This will not qualify you to score racks for
anyone but yourself. For starters it would be good to understand
the basic nomenclature of Buckmasters Scoring System.
Burr: the burr is the
knurled and knobby root or base of the antler at the top of the
head or pedicle.
P1 , 2 , 3 etc.: these
numbers refer to the typical points in order from the burr to
the tip of the beam.
The Beam: the beams are
the primary formation of antler from the burr to the tip.
I1 , 2 , 3 etc.: these
numbers refer to the irregular points on a rack. (points which
do not grow in a typical fashion)
C1 , 2 , 3 , 4: these
numbers refer to the four circumference measurements taken on
each typical main beam. Circumferences are the smallest measurement
at each location.
Left and Right beams:
this is determined by facing the same way the deer would be facing,
then your right and its right would be the same.
Baseline: this is a mark
determined by straight edge and pencil to denote the starting
point for measuring typical and irregular points. It is established
at the place where the point emerges from the main beam or another
point. (see drawing)
The Buckmasters Scoring
System measures all the antler and credits it to the rack, there
are no deductions. We measure the inside spread, the outside
spread and the tip to tip measurement, but these numbers are
not included in the total. We will take these measurements first
as they allow us to judge the size of a rack without seeing it
firsthand.
Next we will measure the
length of each main beam. This is best done with a 1/8 inch diameter
cable as it is very flexible and conforms to the curves of the
antler. If not available, anything reasonably flexible could
substitute. The measurement is taken by starting at the lowest
point on the burr, and holding our cable to the center of the
beam along the outside curve and continue to the tip. The cable
can then be marked and placed on a ruler and the measurement
recorded as right or left main beam.
Now we should determine
which points are typical and which are irregular. This should
be fairly obvious most of the time. If there are a large number
of irregular points, it would be wise to mark each one with masking
tape and number them accordingly. This done, each one can be
measured from its point of origin to its tip and recorded each
on its own side.
Next we will determine
the base of each point and measure it accordingly. The bases
of points are determined by laying a straight edge along the
top of the main beam and around each point, then a line is scribed
with pencil to note the starting point or Baseline for the
subsequent measurement. The length of the points are then taken
along the outside curve from the starting point to the tip of
the point and recorded in the places marked P1, P2, etc. P1 is
the first typical point on the main beam counting from the burr.
Irregular points should also be numbered from the burr outward
and measured from a baseline along their place of origin.
Finally the circumferences
are to be taken and recorded. Four circumferences are to be taken
on each main beam. C1 is the smallest circumference between the
burr and the first typical point (P1). This is accomplished by
wrapping a flexible tape around the beam. The C2 is the smallest
circumference between the first typical point (P1) and the second
typical point (P2). C3 is the smallest circumference between
the second typical point (P2) and the third typical point (P3).
C4 is the smallest circumference between the third typical point
(P3) and the fourth typical point (P4). If there is no P3 or
P4 then the circumferences become more complicated but they are
still taken. However, where, becomes a concern. 
If you are scoring a rack
with three typical points to a side, including the tip of the
main beam, then the first 2 circumferences will be OK. However
it will be necessary to divide the remaining length of the main
beam into thirds, and the C3 and C4 measurements will be taken
at these 1/3 rd marks (see illustration).
If
you are scoring a rack with 4 typical points to a side, including
the tip of the main beam, then the C1, C2, and C3 measurements
will be OK, but it will be necessary to divide the remaining
length of main beam in half and the C4 measurement will be taken
at that half mark.
Hope this helps get you
started, and as I said at the beginning, these are only the basic
rules. Good Luck! Ed. |