cajote2: I don't score them until the antlers are on the table. Here are a few things to look for: 1)a large heavy base, 2)long, heavy main beams, 3)equal number of points on each side,(for typical), the more points the better, 4)long points, 5)a wide spread, out past its ears. The picture of the buck you submitted is an example. All antlers will be smaller than what they show when in the velvet stage. If you have a chance, check out some of the entries at a "Big Buck Night" and talk to a few of the people that officially measure the game heads. As for age, Conservation or DNR go by the wear of the teeth.
DVD's are also available to show how to scaore various game heads.