The "scoring" of game animals has a long history among hunters. Scoring deer, by broad definition, is essentially measuring the total amount of antler growth protruding from the hairline. This antler growth can be measured in several ways, depending upon the individual organization's method of scoring as well as the particular animal's antler structure (typical versus non-typical).

Why do people keep score, one may ask? Most record keeping organizations are dedicated, scientific conservation associations and keeping records of big-game species is one part of a greater picture of animal health. Measuring animals' antlers or horns creates a yardstick by which to keep track of the herd's health. By keeping detailed records, it is easy to see that a particular species' age level, antler development, health, and/or condition is declining or increasing. It is also easy to see which regions of the country display the best antler growth among a particular species. Finally, by keeping records and establishing a benchmark, it allows hunters to compare their particular animal with others of the same species and celebrate particularly notable animals.

Boone and Crockett
The Boone and Crockett Club is a non-profit organization founded in 1887 by Theodore Roosevelt. His vision was to establish a coalition of dedicated conservationists and sportsmen who would provide the leadership needed to address the issues that affect hunting, wildlife and habitat.

The Boone and Crockett Club's Fair Chase statement was the first document outlining a code of conduct and ethics for sportsmen, which later became the cornerstone of the game laws we have today.

Boone and Crockett Club promotes selective hunting for mature big-game species as a game management tool for maintaining balanced and healthy herd populations. The Club's North American Big Game Records Program serves as a vital conservation tool for documenting the success of wildlife management programs.

Focusing on North American species, Boone and Crockett accepts animals taken by rifle, handgun, muzzleloader and archery as well as found sheds/naturally killed animals. Their minimum score requirements are the highest of all the North American record keeping organizations. For more information go to http://www.boone-crockett.org/

Boone & Crockett's online scoring forms:
Click to score your Non-Typical Whitetail Deer.
Click to score your Typical Whitetail Deer.

Download Boone & Crockett's printable scoring forms (pdf format):
Click to download scoring forms for your Non-Typical Whitetail Deer.
Click to download scoring forms for your Typical Whitetail Deer.

Pope and Young
The Pope and Young Club is one of North America's leading bowhunting and conservation organizations. Founded in 1961 as a nonprofit scientific organization, the Club is patterned after the Boone and Crockett Club. The Club advocates and encourages responsible bowhunting by promoting quality, fair chase hunting, and sound conservation practices.

Through its Records Program, the Club encourages quality bowhunting by awakening interest in outstanding examples of this continent's big-game animals. The Club records for posterity scientific data on North American big game taken with bow and arrow. It conducts ongoing recording periods and every two years presents appropriate recognition to the finest specimens submitted. These biennial presentations honor the quality of individual examples of North American big-game species and promote the ideals of fair chase.

Additional Information:  Read more articles:  - The Essex County Giant  - Scoring Trophy Animals  Get the gear:  - Taxidermy Products

More information go to http://www.pope-young.org/

Download Pope & Young's printable scoring forms (pdf format):
Click to download scoring forms for your Non-Typical Whitetail Deer.
Click to download scoring froms for your Typical Whiteail Deer.

Longhunter
The Longhunter Muzzleloading Big Game Records Program is the only trophy-recognition program strictly for the muzzleloading hunter. The Longhunter honors 32 species of record-class North American big-game animals acquired with muzzleloading firearms. http://nmlra.org

SCI
Safari Club International (SCI) is an organization dedication to the conservation of big-game species, defending hunters' rights and promoting the positive image of hunters. In addition to these commitments, SCI also has a record keeping division. SCI accepts animals taken with bow, muzzleloader, handgun and rifle in free-ranging as well as "estate" conditions.

Download SCI's printable scoring forms (pdf format):
Click to download scoring forms for your Non-Typical Whitetail Deer.
Click to download scoring forms for your Typical Whitetail Deer