There are positives and negatives in each scoring system.

There is an interesting article in the October issue of ' Deer and Deer Hunting' written by Larry Huffman a high profile antler collector. He compiled and one time owned the " Legendary Whitetails Collection" that toured the country. What I find interesting are some of his comments concerning antlers. One of the things he mentions that affects the price of antlers is the spread. A large spread is more valuable...Why? Because that is what a majority of people like, it usually enhances the looks of the deer.

I know the BTR system takes a slap at P&Y and B&C when they say all they are measuring is air. In reality I think it shows the wisdom of the scoring system. When a person tells me they killed a 145 inch P&Y buck I can picture it in my head a whole lot easier than 125 inch BTR score. It becomes more than just a number, I can visuallize the general shape.

I don' t let deductions bother me, I accept it as part of the character of the rack. I have one buck on the wall that grosses officially 146.5, he only nets 126.5, yes that is twenty inches of deductions, no big deal. Another 137 nets only 126. I can' t even tell you how many 125+ bucks that I have but have been knocked out of P&Y contention due to deductions, again not a big deal. I thought they were cool or I wouldn' t have dropped the string on them.

I wouldn' t ' dis' anything in the BTR book either however. It takes a lot of " bone" to make up for the " air" that is not being measured. I do think your right though. When the organization behind the system is not rock solid, it causes problems.