FIELD-JUDGING ANIMALS

Hunters use a number of different tools and measurements to size up or “score” an animal in the field. To get good at the process takes time, practice and experience. Ever wonder how a long-time captain can tell you the weight of tuna within a few pounds just by looking at it? Well, the same can be said of an experienced hunter. But, there are plenty of tips and tools available to help anyone become a better judge of an animal's size by using the antlers or horns.

As an official measurer for the Pope & Young Club, the record keepers of bow-harvested North American big-game animals, the process of scoring and measuring the size of animals is of particular interest to me. Through this and subsequent articles, I will provide you with the essential tools and knowledge you'll need to accurately judge a critter on the hoof, and properly score it once you've put it on the ground.

To field-judge an animal, you must first actually find one. The second step is being able to scrutinize the animal. In big, wide-open Western country, finding an animal can be the hardest part as the vistas are massive and the animals blend in with their natural surroundings. To find those animals, you really need good optics. To get started you'll need a pair of binoculars, a spotting scope and a tripod. The most expensive European optics are worth the money, but such an expense is just not realistic for many. As a rule of thumb, purchase the best optics you can afford.