Measuring Up - Mule Deer

This is Part II of a three part series on scoring pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and whitetail deer.

                 Big game hunters of the West would agree that the favorite big game species from the badlands to the mountainous coast is the legendary Mule Deer. With its wide spread rack and huge body it is said to be the most difficult trophy to harvest.  The typical mule deer rack is unlike any other antlered North American big game animal because of its glorious display of branched antlers. A typical antler has five points on each side and any deviation from this is considered abnormal even if there are matching points. 
             
             In ‘Part Two’ of this series I will explain the basics on how to measure the magnificent mule deer.                                                                                                                                                 


                 There are again four basic measurements that are calculated for the total score:  Inside Spread, Main Beam Length, Tine Length, and Circumferences.  Supplementary data such as greatest spread, total number of points on each side and tip-to-tip spread are also added to the score sheet, but only as identification purposes and not as part of the total score. 

        All measurements are taken with a 1/4” wide tape measure and/or cable and are list in eights of an inch.

Inside Spread   
                                                                                                                                               
The inside spread is the measurement taken at the great inside distance from main beam to main beam. This must be taken parallel to the base of the horns and is best measured with a carpenter’s ruler with a sliding extension at one end and held at the center of each main beam. (Illustration A)  Record this measurement on Line D.                                                                                                                                  

Note: If the spread credit is greater than either of the two main beams, then enter the value of the length of the longer main beam in Column 1, Line D. If one of the main beams is equal to or greater than the inside spread credit, then record the value of the inside spread in Column 1, Line D. The spread credit will only be determined after the main beam measurement.

The spread of a mule deer is an attribute that is highly sought after when hunting for trophy bucks, however when hunters talk of the ‘spread’ of a buck they are usually speaking of the outside or greatest spread.  This adds no credit to the score, the inside spread is the only measurable spread that is calculated into the total score. In my research on trophy mule deer, the inside spread only adds a little over 13% to the score on average.

Main Beams                                                                                                                                                     
Main beam length is measured from the lowest outside edge of the burr over the outer curve to the main beam end. This measurement begins at the outside center of the burr, slightly off center of the eye socket and continues along the middle of the beam to the tip. Use either a one-quarter inch steel tape or measuring cable. (Illustration B) Right and left beam measurements are recorded on Line F.                                                                              

Determining Abnormal and Normal Points                                                                                                    
Normal points on a mule deer have pattern of five points in the following locations: G-1 - brow point, G-2  - a large rear point originating from the main beam, G-3 - a forward projecting point off the G-2, G-4 - a point originating from the main beam forming the front fork with the main beam point.                                                                                                                                                                                 
               
Abnormal points are any points other than the typical five normal points. If a rack has abnormal points, I view it from all sides determine matching points and mark all abnormal points with colored tape. (Illustration C)

Length of Points                                                                                                                                                     
Determining Base Lines - Before starting to measure points on the set of antlers, we first must determine the base lines of both normal and abnormal points. To determine this, stretch your tape measure or cable at the base of each point in contour with the main beam. (Illustration D)  If any point arises off another point, mark your base line where that point begins, such as the G-3 point. Make a pencil mark on the bottom of the cable or tape at the center of the base of each point.                                                                     

               

Point Length - The length of each point is then measured over the outside curve between the centerline of the point’s base and the tip. Brow points can be measured from the front or back, whichever the curve of the brow point. Using a tape measure simply hook the tape to the end of the point and follow the center of the point down to its base.(Illustration E)                                                                                (Remember:  To count as a point, the point must be at least one inch long and must exceed the width  at some location on the point at least one inch down from its tip. In others words any triangular shape point having a wide base line
and is shorter  in length will not count as a point.)                                               


Measure each point starting with the brow point or G-1 and continue until all normal points are measured. Record these in the appropriate Columns on Lines G-1 through G-4. The last point (beam tip) as not recorded again because it was measured as part of the main beam. Record any differences in the Difference Column.

              
Abnormal Point Lengths - After all normal points are completed, measure each abnormal point in the same manner. Record each of these in the Abnormal Points box and add the total. This total measurement is recorded on Line E.

Circumferences 
             
Like the whitetail, the mule deer has four circumference measurements but these
differ in location. Circumferences should be taken with a ring end steel tape. Do not use a cable. The standard measurements are taken at the smallest place between the following locations on a typical mule deer. Record these in the appropriate Column and Line. (Illustration F)

H -1  - Smallest place on the main beam between the burr and the first point G-1. If the G-1 point is missing, take the smallest measurement between the burr and the second normal point G-2. This measurement is recorded in both the H-1 and H-2 lines.

If the G-1 point is completely broken off or is too short to qualify as a point, the H-1 measurement is taken between the burr and this broken off or non-qualifying point.

             H-2  - Smallest place on the main beam between the first point and second normal point.

             H-3  - Smallest place on the G-2 antler between the main beam and third normal point branch (G-3).

If the G-3 point is missing, then the circumference measurement is taken at a location halfway between the G-2 tip and its base.

            H -4 -  Smallest place on the main beam between the second (G-2) and fourth (G-4) normal point.

                     If the G-4 point is completely missing, the H-4 circumference measurement is taken at                  a location halfway from the tip of the main beam to the center point of the G-2 point.

                 These are recorded in the H-1 through H-4 lines and any differences are recorded in the Differences Column.

Final Score 

Typical Total - Calculate the total by adding Columns 1, 2 and 3. Then subtract Column 4. This is your Final Score.                  

Non-Typical Total - Calculate the total by adding Columns 1,2 and 3. Then subtract Column 4. Next you add the total of abnormal points  - Line E. This is your Final Score

* To qualify for in the non-typical category the antlers must score higher above the minimum as a non-typical than as a typical.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Minimum Scores for Record Book Entry

                              Pope and Young                      Boone and Crockett             Longhunters Society

Typical                            145                                          190                                       146

Non-Typical                      170                                          240                                      175                                                                                                                                                         

Mule deer numbers throughout the west seem to stabilizing, but trophy buck opportunities are limited. The bucks can grow big in these remote hideouts and the beauty of the land where they are found is almost as majestic as the animal itself.

To increase your odds you need to get to where the big bucks live. I do this by packing my Mathews bow to backcountry where the bucks grow big and are not pressured by other hunters. Quality arrows and broadheads are also needed for these big-bodied bucks. My choice is Gold Tip Arrows and fixed blade Rocky Mountain Broadheads.

                If you are fortunate to harvest a record book buck, please give the animal the recognition it deserves by entering it in the record book. It will be something you will always cherish.