DoctorDeath

LET ME FIRST SAY I AM NOT AN ADVOCATE FOR EITHER SCORING SYSTEM BUT MY QUESTION AFTER VISITING BUCKMASTERS IN MONTGOMERY ALABAMA YESTERDAY TO HAVE MY BUCK SCORED ....WHICH IS A FAIRER WAY TO SCORE A WHITETAIL BUCK, BOONE AND CROCKETT OR BUCKMASTERS TROPHY RECORDS SYSTEM I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE A FEW DIFFERENCES BUT IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE MAIN DIFFERENCE IT THAT B&C ALLOWS THE AIR BETWEEN THE MAIN BEAMS (THE SPREAD) TO FACTOR INTO THE FINAL SCORE AND BTR JUST MEASURES PURE ANTLER .... ALL FACTORS CONSIDERED WHICH IS A MORE PURE SCORE? MY DEER SCORED 185 1/8 COMPOSITE (INCLUDING SPREAD) AND 173 5/8 IN ANTLER ALONE.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE BTR SYSTEM
BTR PHILOSOPHY The philosophy of Buckmasters Trophy Record Full Credit Scoring System or
“BTR” is to measure and record whitetail deer antlers without forcing them
to conform to a criterion of perfect symmetry. BTR Full Credit Scoring
System takes nothing away from the antlers. It simply measures every inch of
antler and classifies it accordingly.
The Buckmasters Trophy Record system can be distinguished from other
whitetail scoring systems in these nine important areas:

1. The BTR system does not deduct differences between lengths of opposing
typical points.

2. The BTR system does not include the inside spread measurement in the
score because it is a measurement of air, not antler. But is shown on the
score sheet for identification in the purposes.

3. Since the inside spread between the main beams is not added into the
rack's score, a rack with a broken skull plate can be entered into the BTR
books.

4. The BTR scoring system has four classifications of antlers categorized
as:
a. Perfect
b. Typical
c. Semi Irregular
d. Irregular


5. In the BTR scoring system it has set a minimum score the same for each of
the
four categories of antlers.

BTR minimum score of 140 inches is required for all firearms harvested deer.

BTR minimum score of 105 inches is required for all bow harvested deer.

These minimum scores may sound low until you realize the inside spread
credit
is not includes.

6. The BTR scoring system provides categories for all types of firearms:
a. center fire rifles
b. shotguns
c. handguns
d. black powder guns.

The bow-and-arrow category includes:
a. ALL compounds
b. Recurves
c. Longbows
d. crossbows

The "Pick-Up" category is for antlers, which have been found rather than
harvested by a hunter. The BTR minimum score for this category is 140
inches. There is even a category for shed antlers, which are measured only
as right or left antlers, not as a pair. The BTR minimum score for shed
antlers is 75 inches.

This way you can compare apples to apples.

7. NO drying time is required before antlers can be measured.

8. The BTR also has a separate category for antlers still in velvet.

9. There is opportunity for entry for bucks, which have been taken behind
deer proof fences, providing they meet the entrance criteria noted on the
BTR Code of Ethics for Hunting On Game Proof Fenced Properties.

IL-Cornfed

I know that many don't like the usual nitpicking for symetry by B&C but I'm mainly only that interested in gross score so I can personally get a feel for the bucks true frame size. It seems that that is the best way to get an accurate feel for the quality and size of the animal that's being talked about. While I feel that BTR means well, I do NOT agree with their not measuring "air". I'm sorry but in my opinion spread is a BIG part of ANY racks visual impressiveness! A buck with a 15 1/2 inside spread doesn't even resemble the same animal with say a 24" inside with the same tine lenghts. Just not a good system in my opinion.

bearklr

I'm pretty sure that B&C doesn't add the spread into the score either. they have a spot for it on the score sheet just for reference but it doesn't count towards the score. As far as the difference in the two doesn't B&C take away deductions while buckmasters gives the deer credit for all antler growth.

DoctorDeath

Maybe I am confused but if B&C allows you to score the full length of both main beams AND the inside spread ...arnt you getting a double score for the same bone considering that the length of both main beams are what makes the spread??

Judyboi

They count the inside spread only up till the point of it being as much as the length of the shortest main beam. No more, but can definately be less.

T-bird

B&C does count the inside spread into the final score. Main beams length, all points (greater than 1", and longer than wide at the base), circumferences at bases and midway between points, and greatest inside spread all add up to the "gross" score with deductions made for asymetry. I like the B&C system better --- it's the gold standard and besides, the folks from Buckmaster's generally annoy me.

Tree climber

to me , if I were going to score the horns; I would say each and every " should count.

add all the measurments with the width and put them together and that is the score.two bucks with the same measurments and are equal all around except a 1" kicker on one side should be tied. with there scores the one with the 1" kicked gets deducted and goes in second place.

that just doesn't seem fair to the guy with the kicker.

Phil J.

Buckmasters scoring system, what's that, never heard of them, anybody else ever hear of buckmasters.......

recurver67

P&Y or B&C why would you change ?

DoctorDeath

Well if it improves things we all need to be open to change don't you think ...if for no other reason for the sake of keeping the current one on its toes ...