how to field judge red deer

[nhdog]

I'm having difficulty understanding how to judge trophy red deer. Researching various preserves and ranches, I found they identify and price their stags differently. Some price and rate their stags by points, ie 6x6, 7x7, etc. Others rate by total number of points: 10, 14, etc. Then of course, there are those that use book scoring. Down Texas way, they refer to ROE(Record of Exotics). Others use standard SCI scoring.

My questions are:

• At what point do stags develop their distinctive crown points?
• Also, generally speaking, is there any relationship between age and total number of points?
• Generally, is there any relationship between number of points and SCI scores?

[markc]

http://www.redstaghuntingnewzealand.com/trophies.php
 
Maybe this article will help you.

[drdougrx]

Hey Dave.....interesting questions.  Here's my take (I'm an SCI measurer...go figure).  Red Deer really begin to blossom at 3 years old.  The number of points generally doesn't have anything to do with age, though a yearling will probably not have many.  Age is really not much of a factor over all...genetics is everything.  I've seen 2YO red stag with 24 points but no mass.  Older deer with good genetics will be heavy in mass.  Also, there are ALLOT of Reds that interbreed with elk and their genetics may reflect one heavily on one side or the other depending on the ranch.  The trick is to go out and see allot of stags so that you can judge.  Monster stags are bread.  In NZ the genetics are fantastic and there is a cull strategy on many ranches...just like we do in TX with white tail.  Also, the prices will vary so look around.  My Red is a 9x8 with good mass and descent points...an SCI Silver medal and scores, as I remember, about 300-ish.

[nhdog]

Thanks guys. I spent more time searching and i found this wikipedia entry that had some interesting information.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_deer

And Doug, like you said, it all depends on the breeding stock used to develop their herds, and it can vary significantly sometimes. For an example, one red deer breeding farm in New England has developed a breeding program using some European and New Zealand stock. Now their breeding stags must be, at 2 years old, in the low 300s SCI. A 3 year old must be nearly 400, and a 4 year old, well up into the 400s. They have some photos of some of their stags, one showing 26 points and scoring 573 SCI and another one scoring 677.

Don't think I'll ever see any of those hanging on my wall.

[drdougrx]

Hi Dave,
 
I know just who you are talking about.  When it comes to stags, you have to ask your self how much you want to spend and what kinda hunt you want.  There are some NY preserves that will have better quality at lower prices but on less than 300 acres.  WHP in VT will be much better hunt but I don't thing they have incredible trophy quality that a small breeder will have.  Soooo....a hunt or a trophy for 3-4K.....what do you think?

[nhdog]

I agree Doug,
 I would really like to go to NZ or somewhere to hunt a free range stag, but that's not in the cards.
 I still have a stag on my bucket list and only want a good representative of a red deer. A well balanced typical, possibly nice 12-14 pt. or perhaps a 16-18 pt. Really don't like the looks of those big fellers. And my wallet agrees with me.
 I have feelings about someone who boast about a preserve "trophy" because of the size of their wallet
A hunting preserve is just what it is, a high fenced shoot and nothing more and that has to be accepted.
 What I look for is a place that offers the best "hunt experience" not just a pasture shoot.The quality of stag I'm lookingfor at a reasonable price. Accommodations and creature comforts are not a consideration.
I think your price range is about the norm for most of the average preserves, not the high priced "hunting resorts"

[drdougrx]

I agree...  WHP has them and they are free ranging on the property.  The best time to get one is in Fall.  I haven't seen too many trophy stag but I honestly haven't been looking.  I think 7x7 would be the norm.  Heading there in late SEPT and will keep you posted if you want to join in.

[nhdog]

Hi Doug, I just sent you a PM.
Dave