Scoring Question?

[jims]

I finally had time to sit down and score this years buck but have come up with one question that the B&C score sheet instructions really doesn't cover. At the 2nd circumference (D-2) there are some major "protrusions" on each horn that are about 1/2 wide by 2/8 to 3/8" tall. I imagine I need to measure immediately above or below these giant bumps? This will really influence the bucks score because they are so close to the swelling in the prong. The difference between the "above and below" measurements is ~4/8" which would change the score either way by + or - 1".

I was also curious what causes these bumps? I imagine it has something to do with how the horn develops. I've noticed that most of the bucks I've harvested over the years have these bumps close to where the tips of the ears are located on the horn. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[BOHNTR]

jims:

Sounds like you already have a fairly good understanding of the scoring system utilized by B&C & P&Y. For clarrification, I will try and relate a few of the rules for scoring antelope.

D-2 Rule:
The D-2 measurment must always be taken below the prong. Should the D-2 location correspond with the swelling of the prong, the tape is moved down and this measurment is taken immediately below the prong swelling. The point at which the main horn body ends and the swelling of the lower extent of the prong begins is often difficult to determine. This transition from horn to prong is gradual and therfore the decision often involves a judgement call. Keep in mind that prong material is not to be included in a circumference measurement. In the advent that the D-2 is moved down to avoid the swelling of the prong, note the height at which D-2 was actually taken and be sure to note this action in the REMARKS.

Projections Rule:
Pronghorn antelope occasionally show protuberances (projections) on the lower part of the horn. In this case the base circumference, D-1, should be made between or above the projections when possible if they significantly affect the score. However, the location of the circumference measurment should not be appreciably moved up in the effort to avoid such "bumps" in the measurment.

As you can see, after reviewing these rules, your D-2 measurment shold be made at the smallest circumference and noted in the REMARKS section of the score sheet. Hope this helps a little. It's really hard to give a definate answer without seeing the horns myself. Good luck.

BOHNTR )))----------->

 

[jims]

Thanks for the comments! My D-2 is below the swelling of the prong so I have no problems there. From your remarks it sounds like I would take the D-2 measurement below the protrusions because the measurement above these protrusions is larger than below the protrusions? It would make sense to me to split the difference, but I'm no rocket scientist!

I have another question regarding the drying period and taxidermy work. Someone at another website brought up the fact that B&C may have problems if a taxidermist bondos the horns in place on the sheaths prior to the 60 day drying period. I'm curious if anyone knows what the B&C regs are on this particular issue? I imagine the bondo might prevent the horns from shrinking?

 

[Grail]

Bondo will prevent the bases from shrinking, but that's all. As of right now B&C WILL accept trophies with horns bondoed to the skull plate (trust me, we had to call them up a few days ago and make sure.) The only thing is this...the horns may continue drying after they've been bondoed on. What this will do is cause them to crack around the base. If B&C can see cracks in the base they may throw the trophy out. The only way to prevent this is to make sure the bases are fairly dry before you bondo them to the cores.

I have heard rumors about one of the organizations adopting a policy where you wouldn't be allowed to bondo horns to the cores before measuring. This was denied by the people we know. If that rule is ever put in place it's going to be hell for the measurer's trying to figure out where the prong measurement goes.

 

[BOHNTR]

Grail is absolutley correct. I usually tell people to simply have their taxidermists cape the animal and let them take the horns with them. After the hunter has allowed the horns to dry for 60 days, at normal room temperature, they can bring them to me for scoring. I will generally inspect the horns for cracks, the skull plate for cracks, and ask for a short success story from the happy hunter. After scoring the animal, the hunter simply returns the horns back to the taxidermist. This is probably your best bet and definately the easiest for measurers. Good luck jims, sounds like you have a nice one.

BOHNTR )))-------->