Trophy buck scoring

cdoc42 · December 30, 2022, 11:54 AM

My hunting club has a “Big Buck” pool and I won this year, bagging an 8-point that I scored as 130.25. But this was after the club decided that I was the winner, with the criteria being the number of points and the inside spread. Using that plan, the score would have been a simple 26. Just for the heck of it, I measured 2 other bucks that I harvested in the past; one 8-point and one 10-point. With the current criteria, the 10-point would be the winner, but when using the usual Whitetail scoring system that includes tine length and diameter, and main beam length, the 8-pointer comes out ahead. Interestingly, the “official” scoring system does not include the number of “points” on the buck!

I’m not unhappy that I won, I’m just of the opinion that a more fair way is needed just in case we have an arguable situation in the future.

Does anyone else belong to a club that has a “Buck Pool?” How do you decide on the winner?

Brian Pfleuger · December 30, 2022, 12:22 PM

Years ago I belonged to such a club in Upstate NY.
I never entered a buck, but I do know they used the official B&C measuring rules.
There was no "certified" measurer, just a couple of the club members were selected, but the rules are not that hard to follow:
https://www.boone-crockett.org/score...whitetail_deer

Pahoo · December 30, 2022, 12:31 PM

Not club rules but Boone & Crocket standard. I recall instruction sheets that take you through the process. I no longer have them but have the basic outline, in my head. Also, one of my DNR buddy's scores these, all the time under that "written" standard, one of my Grandsons took a 162 and it too was an 8-pointer that was a big buck. ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q78SCR2_W7g

Be Safe !!!

cdoc42 · December 30, 2022, 05:44 PM

Thanks to all, so far. A few of us were considering just a "gross" score and only calculating "deductions" in the case of a tie. I know it depends on the opinions of my particular group of members but the observations of those in these forums represent an unbiased, "outside' opinion that could be useful in a heated moment of controversy.

Scorch · December 31, 2022, 04:54 PM

I have participated in several "big buck" pools over the years. Most do not use the official scoring technique, they use something easy to measure, like inside spread or height of the rack or total number of points as the determining score. Easy is better than getting complicated. One measurement, that's easy. Will some people be upset? Sure. But they entered the contest knowing how it was going to be scored, so that's the way it goes.

cdoc42 · December 31, 2022, 07:30 PM

Scorch, you're right. "Here are the rules, here is the result." But virtually always, somebody bitches who wasn't at the meeting, didn't vote, is an elitist in the community, etc., etc., converts the minions to his side through blue-collar fear, and upsets the whole process. If the rules are "stringent" and therefore argument-opposed, that kind of guy can purse his lips, bend over and allow everyone behind him to see what he sees. There are just too many such individuals who disrespect others these days.

Pahoo · December 31, 2022, 07:55 PM

Please Delete !!!

Pahoo · December 31, 2022, 07:56 PM

Quote:

"Here are the rules, here is the result." But virtually always, somebody bitches who wasn't at the meeting, didn't vote, is an elitist in the community, etc., etc., converts the minions to his side through blue-collar fear, and upsets the whole process.

WOW, sounds like a bunch of fun guys to be with. Think I'll stick with our local "Pheasant" feather contests as there is only one measurement and the sponsor, make the measure. .....

Be Safe !!!

cdoc42 · January 1, 2023, 07:43 AM

Realistically, it's not as bad as that sounds, it's just like any other organization that's large enough to have a minority of members who ALWAYS play a part in the operation while the majority just cruise along. I'm just working toward the day when one of them gets a buck, has NO idea what the rules are but thinks he has a winner.

sako2 · January 1, 2023, 08:56 AM

Post the rules at the range and in the club house. And measuring station.

cdoc42 · January 1, 2023, 11:05 AM

Good idea, sako2, thanks!

December 30, 2022, 11:54 AM	#1
cdoc42 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,687	Trophy buck scoring My hunting club has a “Big Buck” pool and I won this year, bagging an 8-point that I scored as 130.25. But this was after the club decided that I was the winner, with the criteria being the number of points and the inside spread. Using that plan, the score would have been a simple 26. Just for the heck of it, I measured 2 other bucks that I harvested in the past; one 8-point and one 10-point. With the current criteria, the 10-point would be the winner, but when using the usual Whitetail scoring system that includes tine length and diameter, and main beam length, the 8-pointer comes out ahead. Interestingly, the “official” scoring system does not include the number of “points” on the buck! I’m not unhappy that I won, I’m just of the opinion that a more fair way is needed just in case we have an arguable situation in the future. Does anyone else belong to a club that has a “Buck Pool?” How do you decide on the winner?

December 30, 2022, 12:22 PM	#2
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	Years ago I belonged to such a club in Upstate NY. I never entered a buck, but I do know they used the official B&C measuring rules. There was no "certified" measurer, just a couple of the club members were selected, but the rules are not that hard to follow: https://www.boone-crockett.org/score...whitetail_deer __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

December 30, 2022, 12:31 PM	#3
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Boone & Crocket is our standard measure. Not club rules but Boone & Crocket standard. I recall instruction sheets that take you through the process. I no longer have them but have the basic outline, in my head. Also, one of my DNR buddy's scores these, all the time under that "written" standard, one of my Grandsons took a 162 and it too was an 8-pointer that was a big buck. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q78SCR2_W7g Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing. Last edited by Pahoo; December 30, 2022 at 12:40 PM.

December 31, 2022, 04:54 PM	#5
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I have participated in several "big buck" pools over the years. Most do not use the official scoring technique, they use something easy to measure, like inside spread or height of the rack or total number of points as the determining score. Easy is better than getting complicated. One measurement, that's easy. Will some people be upset? Sure. But they entered the contest knowing how it was going to be scored, so that's the way it goes. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

December 31, 2022, 07:55 PM	#7
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Duplicate Please Delete !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing. Last edited by Pahoo; December 31, 2022 at 08:00 PM.

December 30, 2022, 05:44 PM	#4
cdoc42 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,687	Thanks to all, so far. A few of us were considering just a "gross" score and only calculating "deductions" in the case of a tie. I know it depends on the opinions of my particular group of members but the observations of those in these forums represent an unbiased, "outside' opinion that could be useful in a heated moment of controversy.

December 31, 2022, 07:30 PM	#6
cdoc42 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,687	Scorch, you're right. "Here are the rules, here is the result." But virtually always, somebody bitches who wasn't at the meeting, didn't vote, is an elitist in the community, etc., etc., converts the minions to his side through blue-collar fear, and upsets the whole process. If the rules are "stringent" and therefore argument-opposed, that kind of guy can purse his lips, bend over and allow everyone behind him to see what he sees. There are just too many such individuals who disrespect others these days.

January 1, 2023, 07:43 AM	#9
cdoc42 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,687	Realistically, it's not as bad as that sounds, it's just like any other organization that's large enough to have a minority of members who ALWAYS play a part in the operation while the majority just cruise along. I'm just working toward the day when one of them gets a buck, has NO idea what the rules are but thinks he has a winner.

January 1, 2023, 08:56 AM	#10
sako2 Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2009 Posts: 741	Post the rules at the range and in the club house. And measuring station.

January 1, 2023, 11:05 AM	#11
cdoc42 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,687	Good idea, sako2, thanks!