Scoring a deer rack is a time-honored tradition among hunters, providing a standardized way to compare trophies and track the quality of deer herd management. This calculator utilizes the logic found in the most popular scoring systems, such as Boone and Crockett (B&C) and Pope and Young (P&Y), focusing on the "Typical" whitetail scoring method.
How the Calculations Work
The total score of a buck is derived from a combination of mass (circumference), beam length, tine length, and spread width. Measurements should be taken to the nearest 1/8th of an inch using a flexible steel tape.
1. Inside Spread
This is the measurement of the widest point between the main beams. Importantly, the credit for the inside spread cannot exceed the length of the longer main beam. If the spread is wider than the beams are long, the calculator automatically adjusts the credit down to match the longest beam length.
2. Main Beams and Tines (G-Measurements)
Main Beam: Measured from the base of the antler (burr) along the outer curve to the tip.
G1 (Brow Tine): The first point that branches off the main beam.
G2, G3, G4: Subsequent vertical points. G2 is usually the longest tine. Not all deer have G3s or G4s. If a tine is missing, enter 0.
3. Mass Measurements (H-Measurements)
Circumference measurements are taken at specific locations along the main beam:
H1: Smallest circumference between the burr and the first point (G1).
H2: Smallest circumference between G1 and G2.
H3: Smallest circumference between G2 and G3.
H4: Smallest circumference between G3 and G4. If G4 is missing, the measurement is taken halfway between G3 and the beam tip.
Gross vs. Net Score
This is often the most confusing part for new scorers.
Gross Score: This is the total volume of bone. It sums up all measurements plus the spread, regardless of symmetry. It represents what the deer actually looks like.
Net Score (Typical): This score penalizes asymmetry. The scoring system values perfect symmetry. To calculate the Net score, the difference between the left and right side for every measurement is subtracted from the Gross score. Additionally, the total length of any abnormal (non-typical) points is subtracted from the final score for Typical categories.
Example Calculation
Imagine a standard 8-point buck with the following approximate stats:
Inside Spread: 18 inches
Main Beams: 22 inches (Left) and 21.5 inches (Right)
Total Tine Length: 25 inches (Left) and 24 inches (Right)
Total Mass (H1-H4): 14 inches (Left) and 14 inches (Right)
The Gross Score would be roughly 138 4/8 inches. However, because the main beams differ by 0.5 inches and the tine lengths differ by 1 inch, the Net Score would be reduced by these differences (1.5 inches total deduction), resulting in a Net score of 137.
function getVal(id) {
var el = document.getElementById(id);
var val = parseFloat(el.value);
if (isNaN(val) || val longerBeam) {
spreadCredit = longerBeam;
}
// Gross Score = Spread Credit + Left Side + Right Side + Abnormal Points
// Note: For Gross, abnormal points are ADDED to the total bone.
var grossScore = spreadCredit + leftTotal + rightTotal + abnormal;
// Deductions for Symmetry (Net Typical)
var diffBeam = Math.abs(beamL – beamR);
var diffG1 = Math.abs(g1L – g1R);
var diffG2 = Math.abs(g2L – g2R);
var diffG3 = Math.abs(g3L – g3R);
var diffG4 = Math.abs(g4L – g4R);
var diffH1 = Math.abs(h1L – h1R);
var diffH2 = Math.abs(h2L – h2R);
var diffH3 = Math.abs(h3L – h3R);
var diffH4 = Math.abs(h4L – h4R);
var symmetryDeductions = diffBeam + diffG1 + diffG2 + diffG3 + diffG4 + diffH1 + diffH2 + diffH3 + diffH4;
// For Net Typical Score:
// Start with Gross Score
// SUBTRACT Symmetry Deductions
// SUBTRACT Abnormal Points (Abnormal points are a deduction on Typical scores)
// Wait, standard B&C logic:
// Gross Score usually includes abnormal points.
// Net Typical = Gross – Symmetry Deductions – (Abnormal Points * 2?? No, just subtract them out because they were added in Gross but shouldn't be in Net Typical)
// Actually, the B&C scoresheet adds columns 1, 2, 3.
// Column 1 is Right, 2 is Left, 3 is Spread.
// Then subtracts Column 4 (Differences) and Column E (Abnormal).
// So Net = (Spread + Left + Right) – Differences – Abnormal.
// Gross is usually defined by hunters as Total Bone (Spread + Left + Right + Abnormal).
// Therefore Net = Gross – Symmetry – (Abnormal * 1? Or * 2?)
// If Gross included Abnormal, and Net shouldn't have them, we subtract once.
// BUT Abnormal points are a PENALTY on typical.
// So: Net = (Spread + Left + Right) – Symmetry – Abnormal.
// My Gross variable included Abnormal. So Net = Gross – Symmetry – (2 * Abnormal).
// Let's stick to the simpler math derived from the scoresheet:
// Score Before Deductions = SpreadCredit + LeftTotal + RightTotal.
// Net = ScoreBeforeDeductions – SymmetryDeductions – Abnormal.
// My Gross display will be "Total Gross Bone" which is standard hunter talk (includes abnormal).
var scoreBeforeDeductions = spreadCredit + leftTotal + rightTotal;
var netScore = scoreBeforeDeductions – symmetryDeductions – abnormal;
// Display Results
document.getElementById('grossScoreResult').innerText = grossScore.toFixed(3) + '"';
document.getElementById('deductionsResult').innerText = '-' + symmetryDeductions.toFixed(3) + '"';
document.getElementById('abnormalDeductionResult').innerText = '-' + abnormal.toFixed(3) + '"'; // Displaying deduction amount
document.getElementById('netScoreResult').innerText = netScore.toFixed(3) + '"';
// Show result div
document.getElementById('resultDisplay').style.display = 'block';
}