If you want to take a big buck, you need to know how to tell if a buck really is as big as you think. Here’s a rough breakdown on field judging whitetail deer on the hoof (assuming you’re after a record book buck).
- Look for 10 points or more. Not one buck in the top 300 B&C has fewer than ten points. A ten pointer almost always makes Pope and Young.
- Tine length. The length of each tine needs to be at least the length of the bucks ear.
- Body size can trick you. A big bodied deer can sometimes look like it has a small rack…and vice versa. Deer tend to be bigger as you go north.
- Look at the main beam. A giant bucks main beam extends to near, or even past the end of the nose.
- Mass adds up.
- Inside spread. A buck only needs to be a little outside the ears (on alert). More, of course, is better.
A whitetail deer is scored by adding up the following measurements, rounded to the nearest 1/8 of an inch:
- Greatest inside spread.
- Length of main beam on left side.
- Length of main beam on right side.
- Each individual tine length.
- Four mass measurements per main beam.
Online Whitetail Scoring Calculator
Book a DEER Hunt
If you’re interested in booking a deer hunt, let us know. We’d love to help!
Live Like You Mean It
Contact Us
We've helped thousands of OI clients plan their adventures
Our team of professional consultants are ready to help you research, book and plan an amazing trip with one of our amazing outfitter partners around the world.
I didn't think an experience like this was possible.
This trip, was, for me at least not just a trip, for me it was a real adventure, a real experience. I love the wilderness and this trip afforded me the opportunity to connect with the Alaskan wilderness in ways very few people do. It was an experience I will never forgot in a place I can’t wait to get back to.Oliver Fischer
The outfitter handled everything perfectly.
We were thankful that Outdoors International hooked us up with a great outfitter because they were able to find us an acceptable alternate on short notice. Overall the two year process to get this float in was seamless and worry free. Just like it should be.Thank you, Stan Masneri
What an amazing experience!
The lodge was out of this world! Our rooms, the delicious food, the incredible wildlife and the scenery were amazing. Our photo safari guide was truly exceptional and had us on animals almost constantly. We saw over 30 different species and had some incredible up close experiences. Africa is amazing!Scott Navares
Copyright 2005-2025 © Outdoors International™ · All Rights Reserved.
