Judging Antelope

-CLM- · #1 08-09-2016, 09:59 PM

I am looking for some pointers from the pronghorn vets on here for field scoring techniques. More specifically how to judge cutters, mass and overall horn length through a spotting scope. I measured the ear on a mount and it was 6" long so that is a good starting point for length but I am finding it hard to judge mass and cutter length.

I know it takes a truly special buck with big numbers in each category to make book in this province which is why I want to make sure I know what to look for.

Here are a couple of the better bucks I have come across while out scouting lately. I know neither would go book but let me know what you think they might score roughly. I estimated them both to be in low to mid 70's.

Any tips appreciated.

Thanks.

snowman160 · #2 08-09-2016, 10:17 PM

Hard to say on the first pic but the bottom pic I'm guessing close to 80".thats a dandy antelope.shooter 100% unless Yur super picky

flyguyd · #3 08-09-2016, 10:22 PM

The ears are 6-7 " long. Look for deep hooks and long cutters. Higher cutters are better score wise. Lastly look for mass, looong and skinny is no match for fat with long cutters. Seeing a book pronghorn is like seeing a book ram ; you will know it instantly

Good luck

mulecrazy · #4 08-09-2016, 10:22 PM

the base of the prong should be above the ear. that's the first requirement of a good buck. next is mass. Neither of those bucks have very good mass. top one looks really spindly, tough to judge prong length from that picture. The second buck looks to have some world class prongs. mass is ok, height looks around that 15-16', again, tough to tell with 1 picture. My score guess is 68-70 and 77-78

-CLM- · #5 08-09-2016, 10:49 PM

Here are a couple more pics of the first buck. He is very spindly with weak cutters but seems to me to have exceptional horn length.

blackmamba · #6 08-09-2016, 11:40 PM

I d shoot that last buck in the pictures ^^^^ based on character alone.. that's a cool looking loper , might not score great but sure is cool looking..

Mamba

snowman160 · #7 08-09-2016, 11:53 PM

My archery buck scored 77 an change last yr an the bottom buck is bigger than my bow buck.my horns measured just under 15"

snowman160 · #8 08-09-2016, 11:56 PM

The goofy buck is worth shootin just for character.my rifle buck from yrs ago has horns both 14 7/8 exactly and his horns splay out at 45 degrees an one cutter drops down off the side.76".couldnt pass him up.guys at the taxi shop kept asking if his skull plate split lol

bonedogg · #9 08-10-2016, 06:51 AM

Both goats are great Alberta goats, would be happy with either

mulecrazy · #10 08-10-2016, 06:53 AM

That first buck is even smaller than I guessed in my last post. I can see him getting to 65" maybe 62-63. his mass and cutters will slaughter his score. I am thinking he is maybe 14" in height. one thing to watch is the curl. If they hook back down and the tips are pointing at the ground they may appear way shorter than they are. Bucks that have little to no curve will appear taller than they are.

bonedogg · #11 08-10-2016, 10:50 AM

might get a third mass measurement below the prong on that one maybe? I also think that second buck with the big prongs will make 80" all day long

Sledhead71 · #12 08-10-2016, 11:19 AM

The second speeders is a great representation of the species. All the best on your hunt.

Rockjockey · #13 08-10-2016, 12:04 PM

Shoot the second one, the first one is a freak antelope. The kind I'm looking for on the wall, I have a big one already.

Here is the B&C Field Judging Guide

http://www.boone-crockett.org/pdf/FJ_Pronghorn.pdf

RJ

Twobucks · #14 08-10-2016, 12:16 PM

One way to judge mass is to compare to the eye. The eye on my goat was about 2" across - so look for the horn to exceed the width - it will give you the base measurement. Then see how it carries that mass up the horn. Eye size differs between populations (I'm told).

My goat went just over 80" and I took a long time to decide if he was the one for me. Tough to judge on the field.

I'd shoot the second one.

elkhunter1234 · #15 08-10-2016, 01:29 PM

Look for big curls up top, high cutters, mass, and if you find one with all the above chances are he will have a jet black face..

Jim...

MercMike · #16 08-10-2016, 01:55 PM

I wish I knew how to upload a photo of a goat my brother harvested in Alberta a few years back, I've been told its a respectable goat for Alberta but its never been officially scored so I don't know. all I know is it was twice the size of mine. and I would like to share it. im no expert on field judging goats but if you like him , kill him .

bigbuck · #17 08-10-2016, 07:51 PM

The one antelope in the bottom pic is a stud. Last year was the first year I got drawn, I feel your pain, super hard to judge. But like the boys are saying, you will definitely know an "80er from a 70". There weren't many big ones around where I was hunting last year. I think mine went close to 14" tall, it's still at the taxidermist so I don't have a score. If I were to guess close to 70" but I'm no expert! Good luck

spoiledsaskhunter · #18 08-10-2016, 09:35 PM

.........that second one may not go 80....but he'll be really close. in ab u cannot turn him down!

looks to me like his tips don't have much curve, so that will shorten them up, or he'd probably go over 80.

Lefty-Canuck · #19 08-11-2016, 12:58 AM

If they look like this...shoot

LC

Snap Shot · #20 08-11-2016, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockjockey

Shoot the second one, the first one is a freak antelope. The kind I'm looking for on the wall, I have a big one already.

Here is the B&C Field Judging Guide

http://www.boone-crockett.org/pdf/FJ_Pronghorn.pdf

RJ

What's gets me is how are you supposed to judge if your one mass measurement lines up with the prong. If it does it goes above killing the score by 3-4". Tough one to judge Forsure.

-CLM- · #21 09-07-2016, 04:29 PM

Man these critters are tough to judge! The more of them I stare at, the more they all start to look the same!

Here are some of the better ones I have come across so far. I have my sights set on #1 (tall spindly guy) but I think # 2 with the big butters would probably score better.

What do you think?

Buck #1

Buck #2

Buck #3 (same buck from my very 1st post)

Buck #4

Buck #5

Lefty-Canuck · #22 09-07-2016, 04:32 PM

Mass is what you want...and high cutters (means more measurements for mass). Spread means nothing...length is only two measurements, cutters only two measurements....mass 8 measurements.

LC

snowman160 · #23 09-07-2016, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

Mass is what you want...and high cutters (means more measurements for mass). Spread means nothing...length is only two measurements, cutters only two measurements....mass 8 measurements.

LC

This^..higher the cutter on the horn the better.

BigJon · #24 09-07-2016, 07:27 PM

I like the looks of buck#2 and wouldn't take to long to be peeling a tag if I had him locked down...

-CLM- · #25 09-09-2016, 11:57 AM

Thanks to all for the pointers. Very helpful and much appreciated.

Hopefully I will have some pics and a story to share in a few weeks.

Elkaholic338 · #26 09-09-2016, 02:11 PM

Having shot a few decent bucks - Buck # 2 is a Stud, Top priority if it was my tag, then Buck # 3 and then buck # 5.
Big mass and high cutters make a huge difference- I would shoot a 15 inch high buck with big weight and high long cutters over a 17 inch high with thin horns and low cutters - remember that the 17 inch buck is only getting 4 inches in total length over the 15 inch, but the 15 with big mass and high cutters will make 10 inches over the thin horn due to the # of mass measurements that you get.

Good luck with your hunt, cant wait to see the pictures of one of these goats on the ground.

wbl170 · #27 09-09-2016, 02:40 PM

Agree with the last post. #2 would be my choice. Should score well, too. Whatever you decide will be the right one! Best of luck. They are a blast to hunt. Especially with a bow!

Slicktricker · #28 09-09-2016, 02:51 PM

Those make me hope I'm drawn sometime before I'm 40 lol

bonedogg · #29 09-10-2016, 07:11 AM

Goat #2 for sure.... 80" plus

Lefty-Canuck · #30 09-10-2016, 07:42 AM

Learned something new...for P&Y scoring the D3 value must be taken above the prong, this is different than B&C scoring.

P&Y

D-2-3-4 Circumferences. Divide measurement of longer horn by four. Measuring from the base, mark BOTH horns at these quarters even though one horn is shorter, and measure circumferences at these marks. Should D-2 land on the swelling of the prong, take D-2 measurement immediately below swelling of prong. Note D-3 must be taken above the prong. If D-3 falls on or below the prong, then take this measurement immediately above the prong. If adjustments for swelling of prong are made to the D-2 or D-3 measurement, note these adjustments in “REMARKS” section.

B&C

D-2-4. HORN CIRCUMFERENCES
Divide Measurement C of the longer horn by four. Starting at the base, mark both horns at these quarters (even though the other horn is shorter) and measure the circumferences at these marks. If the prong interferes with D-2, move the measurement down to just below the swelling of the prong. If D-3 falls in the swelling of the prong, move the measurement up to just above the prong.

LC