I am curious - are all the threads asking for a deer to be scored online just so readers can practice scoring? If so fine - but sure seems easier for the poster just to grab a tape and measure the deer to get the score - takes maybe 5 minutes

A lot of the threads are asking about live bucks, a little tough to put a tape on those.

I think so. It's also a way to post a pick of a good'n. And it beats the boredom. The Age & Score posts don't bother me. Actually, I kinda like 'em 'cause I like lookin' at Deer pics. But to answer your question, yea. That's part of it.

I enjoy every one of these threads... practice practice practice

Good practice and I enjoy looking at all the deer also. I guess we could just start titling it "look at my deer"

I have no idea how to score a deer

of course - I was referring to dead deer. Go to Boone and Crockett website and it shows how to score deer - pretty basic.

1. Score each beam from the base to the tip on the outside portion of the beam.
2. Measure the bases on each side. First beam meausurement is the smallest spot between the skull and the brow near the base. Next is between the brow and the G1 and so on. Maximum of four beam scores each side.
3. Measure each brow, each G1, G2, etc. Start at where the tine comes off the beam to the tip of the tine - also on the outside portion of each tine is where you run the tape.
4. Measure the inside spread at the greatest point of spread on the inside of each beam.

Add all measurements and you get the gross score. If the deer is non typical you also measure and add in any non typical tines, drops, splits, etc. for the non typical gross score.

Getting the net score is a little more involved but most folks just want the gross score.

true it is a good way to practice as long as poster comes back at some point with the actual score - picture scoring can be tough too unless the pictures are plentiful and clear. I have seen lots of pictures make deer look way bigger and way smaller than they actually are - anyway, was just curious

Don't forget - all scoreable antlers get 4 mass measurements on each side no matter how many points they have.

I like the scoring threads but it's irritating when they never give you the actual score. Like stated above, it's not that difficult to get a close number on what an official scorer would give it.

Me either, I just guess...

THis ^^^. Same for me. Also the aging threads are great practice too.

Offering to score a deer just encourages the mind set that a deer isn't worth shooting unless it is a trophy.

Yep. Love it.

You're not the only one, I assure you.

It's a tradition.

Most like seeing deer pics so it rolls on.

I sure don't know how.

The best way to score is check how large is the box that comes from the processor.

This ^^^^^
Some years back I paid the price of a nice used rifle to put a 130-something buck on the wall. The taxi did a great job and I have the mount as well as the memories of the hunt--shivering in a flimsy ground blind, my buddy with his rangefinder calling out the distance as the daylight faded, and the "whump" of that 130 grain Partition when it connected. I doubt I'll put another one on the wall unless maybe it's a nice drop-tine, regardless of score.