How to Measure Deer Racks

The antlers of deer are produced by a process called antlerogenesis. Antlers are one of the fastest-growing tissues known to man--only certain cancer cells grow faster. Male deer grow a full set of antlers in a single season. How big the antlers will become depends on genetics and nutrition. Measuring a rack (set of antlers) is useful as a comparison tool, both for judging the quality of deer you have hunted in specific areas and for bragging rights with your hunting buddies.

Things You'll Need

  • Quarter-inch-wide flexible-steel tape measure
  • Pencil
  • Paper
  • Masking tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the inside spread of the antlers. Hold the measuring tape perpendicular to the centerline of the skull and measure from the inside of the right antler to the inside of the left antler, at the widest point. Write down this measurement.

    • 2

      Attach the measuring tape to the outside center line of the main beam with masking tape, from the pointed tip all the way to the burr, to determine the main beam length. The burr is the thickened area where the antler meets the skull. Measure both beams this way, and note each measurement separately.

    • 3

      Check the height of the typical points by measuring from the tip of each point to an imaginary line of where it meets the main beam. Typical points extend up from the main beam and have a corresponding point on the other antler. Number your measurements for each point on the right and left antler.

    • 4

      Determine the height of the non-typical points by measuring from the tip of each point to an imaginary line where it meets the main beam or intersects with another point. A non-typical point extends sideways or downward from the main beam, splits off from another point, or does not have a corresponding point on the opposite antler. Write these measurements down.

    • 5

      Measure the circumference of the main beam at the narrowest point between the burr and the first point, between the first and second points, between the second and third points, and finally between the third and the fourth points. Perform these same circumference measurements on the opposite antler, and number your measurements for each antler.

    • 6

      Add up your figures for the inside spread, both of the main beams, the typical points and the eight circumference measurements. This total is your base measurement.

    • 7

      Compare the measurements for the main beams, each typical point to its corresponding point, and each circumference measurement to its corresponding measurement on the opposite antler. Determine the differences in measurements by subtracting the lower measurement from the higher measurement, and add up these differences.

    • 8

      Add the measurement differences to the measurements taken of all non-typical points, and subtract this total from the base measurement. The resulting figure is an approximate score of the rack.