Taking a trophy buck is every hunter’s dream.
Every year, deer hunting season excites those hoping to bag a trophy buck. Many hunters choose to display their catch through full or European skull mounts.
Shooting a trophy buck takes time.
My husband shot this trophy buck in 1998, the same year our twin boys were born. With a young family to feed, getting some winter meat in the freezer was more important than ever, so he hunted hard that fall. He was able to achieve success.
Why would a hunter choose to mount their kill?
Here are a few reasons a hunter may choose professional mounting:
Preserve a Trophy and Celebrate Success: For hunters, especially those who have pursued a particularly large or rare buck, a professional mount is a tangible reminder of achievement and skill. It’s a trophy that can be displayed with pride and shared with others. Mounting can commemorate the culmination of effort, patience, or perhaps a bit of luck.
Artistic Representation of the Animal: A skilled taxidermist can create a mount that captures the animal’s beauty and majesty in a way that surpasses simply preserving the hide and head. They can dynamically pose the animal and add realistic details like glass eyes, and even incorporate habitat elements into the mount, creating a true work of art for the hunter to admire.
Connection to Nature and the Hunt: For some hunters, the act of mounting their kill is an extension of their connection to nature and the experience of the hunt itself. The mount serves as a physical link to the animal, the land, and the emotions associated with the hunt, allowing them to relive the experience and appreciate the natural world even after the season has ended.
Passing Down a Legacy: Many hunters view their mounted trophies as heirlooms to be passed down to future generations. These mounts can become cherished family possessions, carrying stories and memories of the hunt and the hunter for years to come, potentially sparking a love of nature and hunting in future generations.
Supporting Local Craftsmanship: Choosing a local taxidermist to mount a deer kill can be a way to support skilled artisans and their craft within the hunting community. It can be seen as an investment in preserving a traditional skillset and ensuring its continuation for future generations of hunters.
Taxidermists are artists.
The person who created this mount was a man named Bill from Brooklin, Maine. At the time, my family didn’t have much extra money. However, my husband was able to trade a few loads of firewood for a unique and special white-tail deer mount made by Bill. This was a kind gesture that we will always be grateful for.
How do antlers get scored?
Scoring deer antlers for trophy records involves a meticulous process that considers several key features. Here’s a breakdown:
General Principles:
- Two main systems: The two most prominent systems are Boone and Crockett (B&C) and Pope and Young (P&Y). While similar, they have slight variations.
- Typical vs. Non-typical: Scoring differs for “typical” antlers (symmetrical with predictable points) and “non-typical” ones (unusual branching or asymmetry).
- Emphasis on measurements: Precise measurements using specific tools are crucial. A flexible steel tape and cable are essential.
Scoring Process:
- Tables and Formulas: Each system uses tables and formulas that assign points based on each measurement. Points are then summed for a final score.
- Deductions: Deductions may be applied for factors like abnormal wear, breakage, or non-parallel main beams.
- Official Scoring: Ideally, an official scorer affiliated with the chosen system should measure and score the antlers.
Additional Notes:
- Species Variations: Scoring systems have specific tables for different deer species like white-tailed deer, mule deer, and elk.
- Record Books: Both B&C and P&Y maintain record books recognizing exceptional trophy animals based on their scores.
- Field Judging: While official scoring requires specific tools and expertise, experienced hunters can estimate scores in the field using simpler methods based on key measurements.
25 years later, we had his buck scored.
Willey’s Sport Center, located in Ellsworth, Maine, was hosting an event with the Maine Antler & Skull Trophy Club. They offered complimentary scoring of antlers at their store, so we decided it was time.
The Maine Antler & Skull Trophy Club
The Maine Antler & Skull Trophy Club (MASTC) is an organization dedicated to honoring and recording exceptional game animals harvested in Maine. Founded in 1978 by brothers Dick and Jean Arsenault alongside a group of hunters and conservationists.
Final scoring of the trophy buck.
We were the first to arrive, so Larry Voisine, an Official Trophy Scorer for the club, scored our buck first.
The meticulous scorer spent an hour measuring and documenting his findings, while other hunters arrived with their trophies.
Larry congratulated my husband with a final score of 143 for a typical score, and 158 for non-typical.
Although it did not have enough point value for Boone & Crockett, it will still serve as an entry into the MASTC, which celebrates Maine’s hunters.
Get your trophy scored.
Entries must wait 60 days after the date of kill, but the sooner you get the score the better. Don’t wait 25 years like we did!
A few motivating reasons for scoring:
Quantifying success: Scoring provides a numerical measure of the trophy’s size and quality, offering a tangible validation of the hunter’s skill and effort.
Comparison and ranking: Scores allow hunters to compare their trophies to others, both locally and nationally, through record books maintained by organizations like MASTC, B&C, and P&Y.
Personal satisfaction and accomplishment: Achieving a high score can be a source of pride and personal satisfaction, signifying a successful and memorable hunting experience.
Leaving a legacy: Hunters might seek high scores to leave a lasting mark on their community or within the record books, inspiring future generations.
Contribution to research and conservation: Sharing scores with official record-keeping bodies contributes valuable data for wildlife management and research, aiding in conservation efforts.
It’s important to remember that scoring is not mandatory or the sole measure of a successful hunt. The value of the experience ultimately lies in the personal journey, ethical practices, and respect for the animal and its habitat.
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