Scoring a Blacktail Buck

It's always a thrill when a Washington blacktail buck steps out of the timber, isn't it? That immediate rush of adrenaline and the scramble to make a clean shot often leaves us with only a blurry memory of the antlers. But once you've recovered your buck, there’s that moment of appreciation. For many, it's enough to simply admire the animal. For others, especially those of us who obsess over details, the question quickly turns to, "How big is he, really?" Going beyond a simple eyeball estimate and learning to properly score your blacktail buck can add a whole new layer of appreciation and understanding to your hunting experience, giving you a tangible way to measure success and compare the unique characteristics of each animal you harvest.

Understanding the Basics of Blacktail Scoring (Boone & Crockett vs. Pope & Young)

For years, many of us just categorized bucks as "big," "medium," or "small." And let's be honest, sometimes a buck just looks big in the moment, only to shrink a bit when you walk up on him. But there's a more objective way to appreciate the racks of our blacktails, and that's through official scoring methods. It's not just about bragging rights (though a little pride in a hard-earned buck is certainly fair!). It’s about understanding the animal, its growth, and how it compares to others.

Why Score a Blacktail in the First Place?

Beyond simply saying, "Yeah, he's a nice buck," learning to score gives you a consistent, measurable way to describe and evaluate a set of antlers. This can be incredibly rewarding. Think about it: you put in all that time E-Scouting Washington GMUs Before the Draw, scouting Public Land Scouting in Washington Before Opening Day, hiking, and hunting. When you finally connect with a blacktail, knowing how to score him allows you to deeply appreciate the unique structure of his rack. It helps you recognize what a truly mature animal looks like in your area, and perhaps even appreciate smaller bucks for their symmetry or unique characteristics. It moves you beyond a subjective "good buck" to an objective understanding of antler development. Plus, if you ever decide to get into official record keeping, you'll already have a solid foundation.

The Core Differences: B&C vs. P&Y for Blacktails

When we talk about scoring big game, two names always come up: Boone & Crockett (B&C) and Pope & Young (P&Y). The good news is that the methodology for measuring deer antlers is fundamentally the same for both organizations. The main difference lies in how the animal was harvested.

• Boone & Crockett (B&C): This organization recognizes animals taken with modern firearms and muzzleloaders. If you filled your tag during Washington's Washington Modern Firearm Deer Seasons or Washington Muzzleloader Deer Dates, your buck would be eligible for B&C if it meets their minimum scores.
• Pope & Young (P&Y): This organization is dedicated to bow-harvested animals. If you were out during Washington Archery Deer Season Dates with your stick and string, your blacktail would be considered for P&Y.

Both B&C and P&Y have categories for "typical" and "non-typical" antlers. For blacktails, the vast majority of bucks will be scored as "typical." A typical rack is generally symmetrical, with points growing upward off the main beams in a conventional manner. Non-typical racks have significant abnormal points (kickers, drops, stickers, etc.) that detract from symmetry. While some blacktails do have non-typical characteristics, most hunters will primarily focus on the typical scoring system.

Essential Tools for Scoring a Blacktail Buck

You don't need a fancy lab to score your buck. With a few simple tools, you can get a very accurate field score, or even a provisional official score (though an official scorer will always use their own tools). Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:

• Flexible Steel Measuring Tape: This is non-negotiable. A standard cloth tape measure can stretch, leading to inaccurate readings. A good, flexible steel tape, preferably one that's about 1/4 inch wide, is ideal for conforming to the curves of the antlers.
• Calculator: There's a fair bit of addition and subtraction involved, especially when dealing with deductions for asymmetry. Your phone's calculator works just fine!
• Pencil and Official Score Sheet: While you can jot notes on anything, using an official score sheet (available for download from B&C or P&Y websites, or sometimes linked through hunting resource sites like GoHunt) helps ensure you don't miss any measurements and keeps everything organized. It has dedicated spaces for each measurement.
• A Flexible Cable or Thin String: This isn't strictly necessary for all measurements, but it can be incredibly helpful for tracing the exact line of the main beam or marking specific girth points, especially if you're trying to be super precise.

Having these tools ready, perhaps in your pack with your Knives, Game Bags and Meat Care Gear, means you can get a preliminary score right there in camp, celebrating your success with numbers to back it up.

The Step-by-Step Scoring Process for a Typical Blacktail Buck

Scoring a typical blacktail buck is a systematic process of measuring various aspects of the antlers and then subtracting any asymmetries or abnormal points to arrive at a final score. It might seem daunting at first, but once you break it down, it's quite straightforward. Remember, precision is key!

Measuring Main Beam Length and Spread

This is often where many hunters start, and it's a significant portion of the total score.

• Main Beam Length: To measure each main beam, you'll start at the most outside edge of the burr (the rough, bony coronet at the base of the antler where it attaches to the skull). Then, you follow the outer curve of the main beam all the way to its tip. The tape should hug the curve of the antler. It’s critical to avoid cutting corners or measuring in a straight line, as this will result in an artificially shorter measurement. You'll do this for both the left and right main beams.
  • Real-World Frustration: Sometimes the burr isn't perfectly round or the main beam starts at an odd angle. Just do your best to trace the natural, outermost edge from the base.
• Inside Spread of Main Beams: This measurement is taken at the widest point between the main beams, perpendicular to the skull. It's often one of the most visually impressive measurements. However, for typical blacktail scoring, the inside spread measurement can never exceed the length of the longest main beam. If your inside spread is wider than your longest main beam, you cap the spread measurement at the length of that longest main beam. This is a crucial rule for many deer species, including blacktails, to maintain the "typical" antler form.
  • Example: If your longest main beam is 20 inches, but your inside spread measures 22 inches, you can only record 20 inches for the inside spread.

Girth Measurements (Circumferences)

These measurements account for the mass or thickness of the antlers. They are taken at four specific points along each main beam (H1, H2, H3, H4), between the points.

• H1 (Base Girth): This is the circumference of the main beam between the burr and the G1 (brow tine). If there is no G1, it's measured at the narrowest spot between the burr and the first point.
• H2: This is the circumference taken at the narrowest point between the G1 and G2 (the first and second typical points).
• H3: This is the circumference taken at the narrowest point between the G2 and G3 (the second and third typical points).
• H4: This is the circumference taken at the narrowest point between the G3 and G4 (the third and fourth typical points). If a buck only has two typical points (G1 and G2), the H3 and H4 measurements are taken halfway between the G2 and the main beam tip, then again halfway between H3 and the tip. For a blacktail, it's not uncommon to have only two or three points.
  • Real-World Frustration: Finding the "narrowest point" can be tricky. Try to be consistent. Many hunters use a flexible cable or string to mark the precise spot, then measure the string.
  • Tip: Keep your tape snug but don't dig it into the antler. You want a true circumference, not an artificially reduced one.

Point Lengths and Deductions for Non-Typical Growth

This is where the unique character of your buck's antlers truly shines, but also where deductions for asymmetry come into play.

• Typical Point Lengths (G1, G2, G3, G4): These are the individual measurements of each typical point, measured from the closest point on the top edge of the main beam to the tip of the point.
  • G1: Brow tine (first point off the main beam).
  • G2: Bez tine (second point).
  • G3: Trez tine (third point).
  • G4: Royal tine (fourth point).
  • Again, blacktails often have fewer typical points than, say, a Rocky Mountain elk. A nice 3×3 or 4×4 blacktail is a trophy, and sometimes they have smaller eye guards that count as points. Remember the rules for Washington's Three-Point Rule and What Counts if you're hunting in a general season unit with specific regulations.
• Abnormal Points: Any point that does not grow off the main beam in a typical fashion, or grows in a way that creates asymmetry, is considered an "abnormal point." This includes drop tines, kickers, or points that sprout from the burr or from other points. For a typical score, these abnormal points are measured and then subtracted from the total score.
  • Measuring Abnormal Points: Measure them from the nearest edge of the main beam (or other point) to their tip.
  • Symmetry Deductions: After all main beams, girths, and typical point lengths are measured for both sides, you compare the corresponding measurements (left G1 vs. right G1, left H1 vs. right H1, etc.). Any difference between symmetrical measurements is a deduction. For instance, if your left G2 is 8 inches and your right G2 is 7 inches, that 1-inch difference is a deduction from your total. The goal of a typical score is to reward perfect symmetry.
  • Total Calculation: You add up all your main beam lengths, spread credit (up to the longest main beam), all typical point lengths, and all girth measurements. From this gross score, you subtract the total of any abnormal points and the total of all symmetry deductions. What you're left with is your net typical score.

Here's a simplified breakdown for a typical 3×3 blacktail with no abnormal points, assuming you've measured both left (L) and right (R) sides:

Measurement Type	Left Antler	Right Antler
Main Beam Length	L.MB	R.MB
Inside Spread		IS
G1 Length	L.G1	R.G1
G2 Length	L.G2	R.G2
G3 Length	L.G3	R.G3
H1 Girth	L.H1	R.H1
H2 Girth	L.H2	R.H2
H3 Girth	L.H3	R.H3
Abnormal Points	L.Ab.P.	R.Ab.P.

Gross Score Calculation: Sum of (L.MB + R.MB + IS + L.G1 + R.G1 + L.G2 + R.G2 + L.G3 + R.G3 + L.H1 + R.H1 + L.H2 + R.H2 + L.H3 + R.H3).

Deductions Calculation: Sum of (Asymmetry differences for all corresponding points and girths + L.Ab.P. + R.Ab.P.).

Net Typical Score = Gross Score – Total Deductions.

Practical Tips for Scoring in the Field and Beyond

Getting a blacktail on the ground is the culmination of so much hard work, and taking the time to properly score him is part of honoring that effort. It’s also important to remember that antlers are organic structures, and they can change slightly over time.

The Importance of a Drying Period

Antlers, being bone, contain moisture. When they are freshly harvested, they are at their largest. As they dry out over time, they will shrink slightly, often by 1/8 to 1/4 inch in length and circumference. For an official score, both Boone & Crockett and Pope & Young require a mandatory 60-day drying period after the animal is harvested. If you measure your buck right after you tag him, consider that your "green score." It’s fun to do, and gives you an immediate idea, but it won't be the final, official number.

• My advice: Go ahead and do a green score in the field or back at camp. It's a great way to celebrate! Then, make sure you store the antlers in a cool, dry place where they won't be exposed to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight, which can cause cracking. After 60 days, you can re-measure for a more accurate, official-eligible score.

Documenting Your Buck for Future Reference

Before you even start measuring, take plenty of photos! Get shots from the front, sides, and top, especially close-ups of the bases and any unique points. This documentation is not only for personal memories but also incredibly helpful if you ever need to consult with a scorer or want to look back and understand a specific antler characteristic.

• Detailed Notes: While you're measuring, jot down not just the numbers, but also any observations. Did one G2 have a slight kicker you had to deduct? Was the main beam tip particularly blunted? These details add to the story of your buck.
• Antler Drawing: Some hunters like to do a quick sketch of the antlers, marking where each point and girth measurement was taken. This visual reference can be invaluable later.
• Utilize Resources: Many online platforms and hunting apps, including those you might use for E-Scouting a Washington GMU From Home, offer ways to log your hunt details. GoHunt, for example, is a fantastic resource that often provides links to official score sheets or guides that can help you track your harvest information, including score data. It helps keep all those hard-earned details in one place.

Finding a Certified Scorer (If You Want an Official Score)

If you've scored your buck yourself and believe it meets the minimum entry requirements for Boone & Crockett or Pope & Young, you might consider getting it officially scored. While your personal score is great for your own records, an official score requires a certified measurer.

• Why get an official score? It ensures accuracy, consistency, and validates your buck for inclusion in their record books, which helps biologists track antler development and herd health over time.
• How to find one: Both the Boone & Crockett Club and the Pope & Young Club have online directories of certified measurers. You can typically search by state or region. Just visit their official websites and look for the "Find a Measurer" section.
• The process: You'll contact a measurer in your area to arrange a time. They will re-measure your antlers following the exact rules and guidelines, and if it qualifies, they'll submit the score for you. It's a cool way to acknowledge a truly exceptional animal and contribute to the collective knowledge of big game.

Taking the time to score your blacktail buck is more than just crunching numbers. It's an extension of the hunt, a way to deeply connect with the animal, and a skill that adds so much to the richness of your Washington hunting adventures. Whether it's a giant or a humble fork horn, every buck has a story, and sometimes, that story is best told with a tape measure.

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.