PeterM
29-01-07, 04:19 PM
Things you need:
Masking tape, pen marker, steal tape and cloth tape, (Divider and calliper are optional) score card or simple pen or paper will do if you do not have a scored to write all the corresponding measurements in you can copy the one provided here.
I use a cloth or dress makers tape to score heads as this will be allot early and more accurate that a steel one, the only reason we want a steel tape near by is to check that the cloth tape is accurate, simply just check your cloth tape against it to make sure that it not stretched or visa versa.
First study the diagram on how to mark and measure tines (see picture 1, 2, 4) then proceed to apply small squares of masking tape onto the main beam in the position shown on the diagram or pictures (red dots) they will be placed in relation to the Trez-tines and also at the bottom of the palm (Marked in the illustration, see picture 1, 2, 4 (A) and use a divider to work out the centre of each tine, but you can place the pen marks even by eye with quite high accuracy with a little practice.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/Picture1.jpg
Picture 1
The bottom of the palm measurement marker is set by when the round section of antler becomes palmated (this does not necessarily have to be just above the Trez-tine) this is where to place and measure the palm length from, this can be accurately done with the use of callipers, first find the section on round antler and set the calliper to the same size, then the calliper is widened by exactly 1/8 of and inch and them placed by around the antler and moved backward or upwards till it stops, this is deemed to be the exact starting point of the palm (see picture one 2, 3, 4).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/Picture2.jpg
Picture 2
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/Picture3.jpg
Picture 3
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/Picture4.jpg
Picture 4
Length: The picture and illustrations of fallow show the principles of length to the longest point on top of the palmated antler (see picture 2, 4, 6) I have also given examples to show that the longest point on fallow head is not always the to the front point, they can be any point that come from the palm and the it is measured to the longest point that my come from the palm (see picture 2, 6) and also the examine the bottom illustrations on the how to measure length and tines. Note the length is measured from the bottom of the cornet.
Spread: The fallow Spread dead-line is the length of the longer antler plus four inches. (See picture 2, 7)
Example: Length of longer antler equals 30 inches. If the Spread is 34 inches, or less enter the measurement directly into the score column.
If the Spread is 35 inches, then the head is deemed to as being excess Spread by one inch. Deduct excess Spread multiplied by 3 from the Spread measurement and enter the remainder for the score i.e. 35 minus 3 equals 32. Place 32 in the score column.
Span: See picture 2, 6, both forward and rear view on the illustrations, and the measurement is placed in the score column without reduction.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/Picture5.jpg
Picture 5
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/Picture6.jpg
Picture 6
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/Picture7.jpg
Picture 7
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/Picture8.jpg
Picture 8
Beam: The Smallest circumference of the main beam below the Trez-tine. (See picture 4).
Coronet: The circumference of the burr at the base of the antler. (See picture 1, 4)
Tines
Brow tine: Note the brow tines are measured from the front edge and above the coronet, measure the brow tine and follow any deviations (natural curves or bends) that it might take until you get to the tip. (See picture 1, 2, 12)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/Picture12.jpg
Picture 12
Trez tine: Measure from the centre of the pen mark while following to natural outside curve to the end of the Trez tine. (See picture 1, 2, 4)
Guard tine: See pictures and illustrations (2, 5) measure from the front edge of the palm to the tip of the tine (G). It is measured on the outside curve of the palm and tine, which gives advantage for its normal curve inwards or is known as the a working guard.
Remaining palm points by number: Other than the guard tine, which has already been dealt with, all the other palm points or snags count, even id they occur as off shoots from the guard tine. Any points a point if a finger ring or a strap can be hung or snagged upon it.
I have shown a pictures on how to recognize which is the working guard (normally this tine bend inwards, see picture 1) on some fallow heads as to what are the working guards and what is an off shoot that DOES count to the remaining palm points and to the overall score of the trophy. (See picture 9, 11) The red line shows the measurement of the working guard and the yellow pointer is showing the guard offshoot, which is added to the number of remaining palm points note the measurements are taken from the outside curve of the antler.
Working Guard tine Rule: This is the hardest rule on Fallow IMO, but this is how to determine if the guard’s tines are classed as working so they contribute to the overall score of the trophy.
A working guard is stated as one the will catch the antlers of another buck while fighting, if the opponents antlers sides down the inside palm or palms (Fallow bucks can vary greatly in spread and span). Generally guards naturally curve inwards, this is checked by sliding a ruler down the inside curve of the palm and the guard tine only have to stop or catch the ruler to be then classified as a working guard tine, again this test has to be passed by both guard tines.
In a few cases the buck might have long guards, but one or even both is either pointing straight back or even outward from the palm, then these even though there are long or not usually broken, are classed are non working guard tine and in these cases the tine is omitted from the score sheet, so unfortunately as we know the other is omitted too as it deemed that there is no opposite. So obviously the score will suffer greatly with the guards tine not be added to the total.
PALMATION
Palm length without points: Length of palm WITHOUT points to of the highest top crutch, not the deepest. (See picture 1, 4). It is measured on the outside curve of the palms. Note with head like in picture 10 and 11 the palm length is measured to the top of the highest crutch which in this case is points 1 and 2 in picture 10 and not the crutches below the points also with the antler on point 1 (see picture 11) the palm length is measured from well below the Trez on this antler because that is where the antler starts to palmate. In typically heads this is normally above the Trez tine, but this is an exception.
Palm width without points: Greatest width of palms, excluding points, below the deepest crutch from the top. It is measured on the outside curve as illustrated in the picture and diagrams. (See pictures 1, 8 )
Palm width with points: See pictures 1 and 7 it is measured on the outside curve of the palm face again. From the front edge or flange of the palm to the outside of the widest part including the point length, but not the guard tine which has already been measured.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/Picture9.jpg
Picture 9
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/Picture10.jpg
Picture 10
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/Picture11.jpg
Picture 11
CHECK that all the features items are spare lines in the score card, too, for less frequent items such as Basal-snags. Or Bez-tines, should these appear. See picture 1 for there inclusion, remembering with the Douglas scoring system there must be a partners each tine or snag (meaning two off) for them to count in the total score.
Remember in the Douglas scoring system (the system for symmetrical size) if the head being scored is missing any of the major tines, Brow, Trez and Guard then the other size and will not count, these tines must have partners, also if there are Basal or Bez snags (some times theirs are extra points of the brows or Trez tines) if these have partners they are scored also and added to the score card, there is two spaces left for them and remember the smallest measurement as doubled, I have included a picture of a finished score sheet so you can see how the measured are added and entered.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/fallow.jpg
Fallow Score Sheet
I have try to make it a simple as possible but I had to include the pictures 9, 10, 11 to show you the variations in fallow antler type, this way you will be able to deal with and score heads like lease correctly if and when they cross your path or better still end up in your photo albums or on your wall, the scoring of fallow antlers is not really that hard when you sit and study them and also a little practice.
NOTE: When scoring any head the benefit go’s to the head, so when the measurements are either just under or even just over the mark on the tape the measurement is rounded up not down to the next 1/8 inch mark, it also means if you want to score a head, don’t be HARD but fair! I would run the tape carefully over the head several times to gain a more accurate measurement, do NOT sell the trophy short by taking the lesser measurement if you have only run a tape over it once.
Masking tape, pen marker, steal tape and cloth tape, (Divider and calliper are optional) score card or simple pen or paper will do if you do not have a scored to write all the corresponding measurements in you can copy the one provided here.
I use a cloth or dress makers tape to score heads as this will be allot early and more accurate that a steel one, the only reason we want a steel tape near by is to check that the cloth tape is accurate, simply just check your cloth tape against it to make sure that it not stretched or visa versa.
First study the diagram on how to mark and measure tines (see picture 1, 2, 4) then proceed to apply small squares of masking tape onto the main beam in the position shown on the diagram or pictures (red dots) they will be placed in relation to the Trez-tines and also at the bottom of the palm (Marked in the illustration, see picture 1, 2, 4 (A) and use a divider to work out the centre of each tine, but you can place the pen marks even by eye with quite high accuracy with a little practice.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/Picture1.jpg
Picture 1
The bottom of the palm measurement marker is set by when the round section of antler becomes palmated (this does not necessarily have to be just above the Trez-tine) this is where to place and measure the palm length from, this can be accurately done with the use of callipers, first find the section on round antler and set the calliper to the same size, then the calliper is widened by exactly 1/8 of and inch and them placed by around the antler and moved backward or upwards till it stops, this is deemed to be the exact starting point of the palm (see picture one 2, 3, 4).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/Picture2.jpg
Picture 2
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/Picture3.jpg
Picture 3
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/Picture4.jpg
Picture 4
Length: The picture and illustrations of fallow show the principles of length to the longest point on top of the palmated antler (see picture 2, 4, 6) I have also given examples to show that the longest point on fallow head is not always the to the front point, they can be any point that come from the palm and the it is measured to the longest point that my come from the palm (see picture 2, 6) and also the examine the bottom illustrations on the how to measure length and tines. Note the length is measured from the bottom of the cornet.
Spread: The fallow Spread dead-line is the length of the longer antler plus four inches. (See picture 2, 7)
Example: Length of longer antler equals 30 inches. If the Spread is 34 inches, or less enter the measurement directly into the score column.
If the Spread is 35 inches, then the head is deemed to as being excess Spread by one inch. Deduct excess Spread multiplied by 3 from the Spread measurement and enter the remainder for the score i.e. 35 minus 3 equals 32. Place 32 in the score column.
Span: See picture 2, 6, both forward and rear view on the illustrations, and the measurement is placed in the score column without reduction.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/Picture5.jpg
Picture 5
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/Picture6.jpg
Picture 6
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/Picture7.jpg
Picture 7
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/Picture8.jpg
Picture 8
Beam: The Smallest circumference of the main beam below the Trez-tine. (See picture 4).
Coronet: The circumference of the burr at the base of the antler. (See picture 1, 4)
Tines
Brow tine: Note the brow tines are measured from the front edge and above the coronet, measure the brow tine and follow any deviations (natural curves or bends) that it might take until you get to the tip. (See picture 1, 2, 12)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/Picture12.jpg
Picture 12
Trez tine: Measure from the centre of the pen mark while following to natural outside curve to the end of the Trez tine. (See picture 1, 2, 4)
Guard tine: See pictures and illustrations (2, 5) measure from the front edge of the palm to the tip of the tine (G). It is measured on the outside curve of the palm and tine, which gives advantage for its normal curve inwards or is known as the a working guard.
Remaining palm points by number: Other than the guard tine, which has already been dealt with, all the other palm points or snags count, even id they occur as off shoots from the guard tine. Any points a point if a finger ring or a strap can be hung or snagged upon it.
I have shown a pictures on how to recognize which is the working guard (normally this tine bend inwards, see picture 1) on some fallow heads as to what are the working guards and what is an off shoot that DOES count to the remaining palm points and to the overall score of the trophy. (See picture 9, 11) The red line shows the measurement of the working guard and the yellow pointer is showing the guard offshoot, which is added to the number of remaining palm points note the measurements are taken from the outside curve of the antler.
Working Guard tine Rule: This is the hardest rule on Fallow IMO, but this is how to determine if the guard’s tines are classed as working so they contribute to the overall score of the trophy.
A working guard is stated as one the will catch the antlers of another buck while fighting, if the opponents antlers sides down the inside palm or palms (Fallow bucks can vary greatly in spread and span). Generally guards naturally curve inwards, this is checked by sliding a ruler down the inside curve of the palm and the guard tine only have to stop or catch the ruler to be then classified as a working guard tine, again this test has to be passed by both guard tines.
In a few cases the buck might have long guards, but one or even both is either pointing straight back or even outward from the palm, then these even though there are long or not usually broken, are classed are non working guard tine and in these cases the tine is omitted from the score sheet, so unfortunately as we know the other is omitted too as it deemed that there is no opposite. So obviously the score will suffer greatly with the guards tine not be added to the total.
PALMATION
Palm length without points: Length of palm WITHOUT points to of the highest top crutch, not the deepest. (See picture 1, 4). It is measured on the outside curve of the palms. Note with head like in picture 10 and 11 the palm length is measured to the top of the highest crutch which in this case is points 1 and 2 in picture 10 and not the crutches below the points also with the antler on point 1 (see picture 11) the palm length is measured from well below the Trez on this antler because that is where the antler starts to palmate. In typically heads this is normally above the Trez tine, but this is an exception.
Palm width without points: Greatest width of palms, excluding points, below the deepest crutch from the top. It is measured on the outside curve as illustrated in the picture and diagrams. (See pictures 1, 8 )
Palm width with points: See pictures 1 and 7 it is measured on the outside curve of the palm face again. From the front edge or flange of the palm to the outside of the widest part including the point length, but not the guard tine which has already been measured.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/Picture9.jpg
Picture 9
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/Picture10.jpg
Picture 10
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/Picture11.jpg
Picture 11
CHECK that all the features items are spare lines in the score card, too, for less frequent items such as Basal-snags. Or Bez-tines, should these appear. See picture 1 for there inclusion, remembering with the Douglas scoring system there must be a partners each tine or snag (meaning two off) for them to count in the total score.
Remember in the Douglas scoring system (the system for symmetrical size) if the head being scored is missing any of the major tines, Brow, Trez and Guard then the other size and will not count, these tines must have partners, also if there are Basal or Bez snags (some times theirs are extra points of the brows or Trez tines) if these have partners they are scored also and added to the score card, there is two spaces left for them and remember the smallest measurement as doubled, I have included a picture of a finished score sheet so you can see how the measured are added and entered.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/peterm/Measure%20a%20Fallow/fallow.jpg
Fallow Score Sheet
I have try to make it a simple as possible but I had to include the pictures 9, 10, 11 to show you the variations in fallow antler type, this way you will be able to deal with and score heads like lease correctly if and when they cross your path or better still end up in your photo albums or on your wall, the scoring of fallow antlers is not really that hard when you sit and study them and also a little practice.
NOTE: When scoring any head the benefit go’s to the head, so when the measurements are either just under or even just over the mark on the tape the measurement is rounded up not down to the next 1/8 inch mark, it also means if you want to score a head, don’t be HARD but fair! I would run the tape carefully over the head several times to gain a more accurate measurement, do NOT sell the trophy short by taking the lesser measurement if you have only run a tape over it once.