Commonly Used Antler Terms
- Brow Tine. : Where the antler first branches off into a separate point.
- Bez or Bay Tine. ( Advancer ): Above the brow tine, this is the second branch of a deer antler.
- Tres or Tray Tine. ( Royal Antler ): The third tine from the base of an antler, located directly above the Advancer.
- Surroyal Tine. : The fourth branch of a separate tine on a deer antler. ...
What is the point of an antler called?
There is a term for the point of an antler. Everyone knows some of these terms, but others are less well known. The points of antlers, for example, are known as tines. Any point that branches out from a deer antler and is at least an inch long is a tine. Deer antlers are like human fingerprints - no two are ever the same.
What is the fourth tine on a deer antler called?
Surroyal Tine – Fourth branch on a separate tine of a deer’s antler. Fork – End of the antler that forks out into two tines. Palm – Usually used to discuss moose, this refers to the end of the antler that spreads out, resembling a human hand. Crown – The top tine on the deer’s antlers. These definitions explain the layout of deer antlers.
Where do you find abnormal points on antlers?
Abnormal points can extend from the main beam near the burr. Total up the lengths from base to tip of each abnormal point on the right antler and on the left antler. This should be fairly easy and short unless your deer’s antlers are extremely abnormal.
How do you measure a deer for antler points?
Measure each normal point on the right antler. The Boone and Crockett Club scoring sheet has places for up to seven points, although few deer will have that many. Repeat with the points on the left antler. Each point will have a separate box in which to write the measurement.
What is the point at which the first antler branches off?
Brow Tine – The point at which the first antler branches off. Bay Tine – The second branching-off point. Tray Tine – The third branching-off mark. Surroyal Tine – Fourth branch on a separate tine of a deer’s antler. Fork – End of the antler that forks out into two tines.
What part of the antler is the beam?
Here are some more terms and definitions so you can get a firm grasp of antler anatomy: Beam – Central stem of the antler. Burr – Bony rim of the pedicle.
What is the state of deer antlers?
These definitions explain the layout of deer antlers. Some other terms used to describe the state of the antlers include: Rack – This term refers to the complete set of antlers; racks are usually typical or non-typical. Abnormal tine – This is a tine that grows off another tine instead of off the main beam.
What is the fork on a deer?
Fork – End of the antler that forks out into two tines. Palm – Usually used to discuss moose, this refers to the end of the antler that spreads out, resembling a human hand. Crown – The top tine on the deer’s antlers. These definitions explain the layout of deer antlers.
What is the water content of deer antlers?
When deer are growing their antlers, these racks are very vulnerable. During this growth period, antlers consist of mostly water - 80% - and a very low solid matter content - 20%. When in this stage, because of their high water content, antlers are vulnerable and can be injured or marred, resulting in deformed antlers.
Where do deer antlers grow?
These bony protuberances develop on the frontal pedicle —the base from which the antlers grow. Antlers most typically are found on male deer, but some female deer grow antlers, especially those who have difficulty regulating the hormone testosterone, or female caribou.
What are the factors that determine the size of deer antlers?
The size and formation of deer antlers depend on a lot of different factors, such as age, nutrients, and genetics. The condition of a fawn’s mother and its date of birth also play a large part in how a deer’s antlers appear.
What is the branch of a deer antler called?
Tine: Also known as a " point ", this is a growing branch of a deer antler that measures at least one inch in length. Pedicle: This is the where the base of the antler connects to the skull plate. Burr: Elevated, bony rim directly on top of the pedicle.
What is the name of the fourth branch of a separate tine on a deer antler?
Surroyal Tine: The fourth branch of a separate tine on a deer antler. Beam: The central or main stem of the antler. Fork: The end of a deer antler which "forks" out into two separate tines. Palm: Typically associated with moose ( Alces Alces) antlers, the palm is the end of a deer antler which resembles the palm of a human hand.
Where is the brow tine on a deer?
Brow Tine: Where the antler first branches off into a separate point. Bez or Bay Tine ( Advancer ): Above the brow tine, this is the second branch of a deer antler. Tres or Tray Tine ( Royal Antler ): The third tine from the base of an antler, located directly above the Advancer.
What are the parts of an antler called?
Hunters have developed terms for antler parts: beam, palm, brow, bez or bay, trez or tray, royal, and surroyal. These are the main shaft, flattened center, first tine, second tine, third tine, fourth tine, and fifth or higher tines, respectively. The second branch is also called an advancer.
What is antler head?
Antlered heads are prized as trophies with larger sets being more highly prized. The first organization to keep records of sizes was Rowland Ward Ltd., a London taxidermy firm, in the early 20th century. For a time only total length or spread was recorded. In the middle of the century, the Boone and Crockett Club and the Safari Club International developed complex scoring systems based on various dimensions and the number of tines or points, and they keep extensive records of high-scoring antlers. Deer bred for hunting on farms are selected based on the size of the antlers.
How often do antlers grow?
In most arctic and temperate-zone species, antler growth and shedding is annual, and is controlled by the length of daylight. Although the antlers are regrown each year, their size varies with the age of the animal in many species, increasing annually over several years before reaching maximum size.
Why do reindeer shed their antlers?
Reindeer (genus Rangifer, whose sole member species R. tarandus comprises several distinctive subspecies of reindeer and caribou) use their antlers to clear away snow so they can eat the vegetation underneath. This is one possible reason that females of this species evolved antlers. Another possible reason is for female competition during winter foraging. Male and female reindeer antlers differ in several respects. Males shed their antlers prior to winter, while female antlers are retained throughout winter. Also, female antler size plateaus at the onset of puberty, around age three, while males' antler size increases during their lifetime. This likely reflects the differing life history strategies of the two sexes, where females are resource limited in their reproduction and cannot afford costly antlers, while male reproductive success depends on the size of their antlers because they are under directional sexual selection.
What happens to antlers when they reach full size?
Once the antler has achieved its full size, the velvet is lost and the antler's bone dies. This dead bone structure is the mature antler. In most cases, the bone at the base is destroyed by osteoclasts and the antlers fall off at some point.
Why are pronghorns not considered true antlers?
The "horns" of a pronghorn (which is not a cervid but a giraffoid) meet some of the criteria of antlers, but are not considered true antlers because they contain keratin. An antler on a red deer stag. Velvet covers a growing antler, providing blood flow that supplies oxygen and nutrients.
Why are roe deer so popular?
The second branch is also called an advancer. In Yorkshire in the United Kingdom roe deer hunting is especially popular due to the large antlers produced there. This is due to the high levels of chalk in Yorkshire. The chalk is high in calcium which is ingested by the deer and helps growth in the antlers.
Why Use the Antler Scoring System?
Using the antler scoring system is just like weighing a deer, but for its antlers. If you know the score of the deer’s antlers, you are able to describe it without showing a photograph. All antlers are different, so saying it weighed 200lbs doesn’t always give a good representation of the antler size, and saying it was an 8 pointer doesn’t either.
Antler Scoring System Terminology
Before we jump into explaining the antler scoring system, let’s break down the antler scoring system terminology. It is important to understand the system’s commonly used words.
How To Use the Antler Scoring System?
Instead of tracking down an antler scoring system expert, learn how to score antlers yourself. You will need a flexible tape measure, pen and paper, and a yardstick (optional). Decide if you are going to score the antlers as typical or non-typical. All measurements are made to the nearest 8th of an inch.
How to measure antlers?
This is the narrowest point between one location and another. Use a flexible measuring tape to wrap in a circle around that point, or use a flexible steel cable and then lay it out across a yardstick to determine the measurement.
Where are normal points in physics?
Distinguish the normal points from abnormal points. Typical/normal points are those extending from the top of the main beam. Abnormal points can extend from the main beam near the burr.
How many points do you need to score a Boone and Crockett deer?
Measure each normal point on the right antler. The Boone and Crockett Club scoring sheet has places for up to seven points, although few deer will have that many. Repeat with the points on the left antler. Each point will have a separate box in which to write the measurement.
How Do Deer Antlers Grow?
On the top of the skull there is a bone core which is known as the ‘rose stock’ and it is from here where the antlers grow. There are two of these bone cores, with an antler growing from each one on deer.
The Difference Between Antlers and Horns
You probably understand that when you compare horns vs antlers there are differences, but how exactly do antlers and horns differ?
The Growth of Antlers in Roe Deer (by age)
Button spikes – In the autumn of the first year of the male Roe’s life 2 button like unbranched spike antlers grow from the skull. These are cast in the autumn.
