Counting points

[Kevin]

I'm just curious after looking at some of the pictures on the site: Why do you count points the way you do? My dad taught me to only count main points, not eyeguards and to add them up. So a typical 3X3 coues with (not counting)eyeguards would be a six point. I see this method commonly as well as calling it a 3X3. My hunting buddy argues that this deer is a 4X4 since Pope and Young or Boone and Crockett would score each point.

 

What is your method of point counting and why?

 

Good luck in the draw!

Kevin

[5yearcoueshunter]

I might be talking fighting words, but I count Eastern Count. To me it makes the most sense and avoids confusion. If the point is an inch or over I count it. So instead of saying he's a 3 point and not knowing if the person is counting eye guards or not, I think just saying he's an 8 pointer makes everything easier. But I guess that's just my Hill Billy roots talkin!

 

Travis

[stanley]

I'm sure it's all in how you were raised.

 

I count only main points (not eyeguards), and only mention both sides if there is a difference in the numbers. Eg; I call a 4x4 with eyeguards, a 4 point. If it has 3 on one side, and 4 on the other then I would call it a 3x4. This is likely because I was raised here in AZ hunting muleys, and we always used 'western count'.

 

I remember once when I was a kid, my cousin from Missouri told me on the phone that he killed an 8 point whitetail. I was so excited to see the picture, but imagine my dissapointment when I got the pic and it was a measly 3 point + eyeguards...

 

S.

[COUESAZ]

I use the same method as stanley. Most people in AZ use this method. If you are into the record book thing than you count all the points. Even most of the guys I know that Are record book hunter use the 3x4 or 4x4 not counting eye gaurds method while talking but when they count them in the books they refer to them as total points.

 

They are all points so count them the way you want right.

 

Dang I hope I get a Tag!!!!!!

[couesdiehard]

I am personally getting tired of having to take my shoes off to count all the points on the deer I kill (Eastern or Western count) so I am seriously considering only taking 1-pointers (eastern count - like a unicorn) I am pretty sure I can that high without removing my shoes.

Lee

[Shiras]

It is very interesting how the west and east differ. It reminds me of my younger years when I was "into surfing". (Yeah I know, an okie liking surfing. My parents used to take us to Hawaii every other year growing up, so I learned a little about it.) The east coast (Florida) would call an 8 ft wave an 8 ft. wave. From the front,-or the beach perspective. But the Hawaiians would call the thing a 3-4 footer. Why? They were looking at it from the swell side-----the back side.

Can we draw comparisons from my surfing analogy? I have no idea. Just thought I'd toss that in, since that's what always comes to mind.

My friend from Phoenix told me last year that he killed a 2x3 in 24B, and until I saw the rack, I didn't realize, in "Okie terms", it was a 7 point.

Here in Oklahoma that just does not fly. I guess we want full credit for every inch and point there physically is on the head......I'm not sure.

I think modesty is at the root of the problem here. Maybe this is why the east and west don't see eye to eye. The west is modest. And east of New Mexico.......is insecure?????

 

Not sure. Just my 2 cents.-Shiras

[az4life]

When in Rome, do as the Romans... if you are in the west, you count points as we do in the west ie. 2x3 or 4x4, not including eyeguards.

 

I really boils down to the old line,

You say tomatoe I say tomato.

[.270]

an okie surfer? dude, what'll they think of next? i always count all the points and then count up where i think it oughta have a point and then all the points that it might o' growed in future years if i never shot it. last forkhorn i got was actually like a 18 point. western count. cousin ernie always counts the points and correlates em with his toes. ever since the quail huntin' accident the biggest he can get is a 9 pointer. Lark.