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Philosophy of BTR Classifications Measuring Points

THE STEEL TAPE MEASURE

All point and circumference measurements (except the length of main beam) must be taken with a 1/4-inch flexible steel tape and calculated to the nearest 1/8-inch.

CORRECT PLACEMENT OF STEEL TAPE

When measuring lengths of points with the steel tape measure, always place the hash marks on the tape against the centerline of the point being measured. This will give an exact length measurement over the centerline of the point from its tip to its baseline. If the opposite side of the tape is laid along the centerline of the point, the length will be read 1/4-inch right or left of the centerline, which may be shorter than the true length of the point.

MEASURING MAIN BEAMS WITH A STEEL CABLE

All main-beam measurements must be taken with a 1/16-inch diameter steel cable. All measurements are calculated to the nearest 1/8-inch. The steel cable is a more accurate and convenient way of obtaining the main-beam measurements.

MEASURING TO THE NEAREST 1/8-INCH

All measurements are taken and expressed to the nearest 1/8-inch. Any measurement which lands on a 1/16-inch mark is automatically rounded off to the next highest 1/8-inch. However, if the measurement lands on a 1/32-inch mark, the measurement is rounded off to the next lowest 1/8-inch.

Four circumference measurements (C1, C2, C3, and C4) are taken from each main beam with a 1/4-inch steel ring-end circumference measuring tape.

FIRST CIRCUMFERENCE MEASUREMENT
The first circumference measurement (C1) is taken at the smallest point between the burr and first point or brow tine (P1).

SECOND CIRCUMFERENCE MEASUREMENT
The second circumference measurement (C2) is taken around the main beam at the smallest point between the first point (P1) and the second point (P2).

THIRD CIRCUMFERENCE MEASUREMENT
The third circumference measurement (C3) is taken around the main beam at the smallest point between the second point (P2) and third point (P3).

FOURTH CIRCUMFERENCE MEASUREMENT
The fourth circumference measurement (C4) is taken around the main beam at the smallest point between the third point (P3) and the fourth point (P4).

MISSING FIRST POINT CIRCUMFERENCE RULE
If no first point (P1) exists, take the smallest circumference measurement between the burr and the second point (P2) and credit that circumference measurement to both C1 and C2 on the score sheet.

ILLEGAL OR BROKEN FIRST POINT CIRCUMFERENCE RULE
If the first point (P1) exists but is too small to be a legal point, or if it has been broken off, leaving the obvious swollen area where the point once existed, circumference measurements C1 and C2 will be taken in their normal places, as if a legal P1 was present.

CIRCUMFERENCE POINT OF MEASUREMENT RULE FOR RACKS WITH FOUR TYPICAL POINTS OR LESS PER SIDE

FOUR-POINT SIDE

At the point where the centerline of the last typical point intersects with its baseline, scribe a line across the main beam at right angles (90 degrees). Measure from the center point of this line, over the center of the outside curve of the main beam to the tip of the main beam. Divide this measurement in half and take the fourth circumference measurement around the main beam at the halfway point.

THREE-POINT SIDE

At the point where the centerline of the last typical point intersects with its baseline, scribe a line across the main beam at right angles (90 degrees). Measure from the center point of this line over the center of the outside curve of the main beam to the tip of the main beam. Divide the distance into thirds and take the third circumference measurement at one-third the distance to the tip of the main beam and the fourth circumference measurement at two-thirds the distance to the tip of the main beam.

Main beams are the two long, sweeping points growing from the normal pedicels on both sides of a buck's head, from which all typical points grow. The length of the main beam is obtained by measuring from the lowest point on the burr, over the outer curve of the beam, to the most distant point or tip of the main beam.

The lowest point on the burr is established by holding the antler, rack, or mounted head to approximate the deer's head being parallel with the earth, and then establishing the point on the bottom of the burr closest to the ground. That is the lowest point on the burr.

Locate the place where the centerline of the outer curve of the main beam intersects with the lowest edge of the burr, and begin measuring from there. Mark the cable flush with the tip of the main beam or attach an alligator clip at that point and measure the cable with a 1/4-inch-wide steel measuring tape. The cable will follow the contour of the main beam perfectly. The use of a cable instead of a steel tape for this measurement eliminates the awkward pivoting of the tape and allows a more perfect measurement.
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