New Rules and Minimums for 2025 Make Scoring Simpler and More Accessible for Deer Hunters. Buckmasters, the nation’s leading source for deer hunting news and entertainment, is making big changes in 2025 to simplify antler scoring and make it more accessible for hunters of all experience levels.
“White-tailed bucks are more than just a number on a scoresheet, but scoring helps us record history and recognize these incredible animals,” said Buckmasters President Jackie Bushman. “For too long, scoring has been complicated and confusing. We’re changing that—making it straightforward and easy for the everyday hunter to understand.”
Measuring whitetail racks allows hunters to compare bucks and track harvest trends. As one of the three major scoring systems in the country, Buckmasters is making a major shift to its process in 2025.
“The one thing hunters didn’t like about our system? We didn’t count inside spread,” Bushman said. “That changes now. Starting in 2025, Buckmasters’ official score will include inside spread, making it the most straightforward and intuitive scoring system out there. If a buck grows it, we count it. No deductions. No guesswork. We measure the rack, add the inside spread, and use the percentage of irregular inches to determine classification. Simple.”
Other scoring systems deduct inches and leave room for interpretation, meaning different measurers can produce different scores for the same rack. Buckmasters’ system eliminates the guesswork—every inch of antler counts, and classification is based entirely on math.
“When Russell Thornberry created the Buckmasters system over 30 years ago, he believed measuring inside spread meant counting air, not antler,” Bushman continued. “He had a point, but spread provides a strong visual reference. Including it makes comparisons easier and gives hunters a more complete picture of a buck’s rack.”
With the addition of inside spread, Buckmasters is adjusting its minimum scores for record book entries.
- Bow kills must score at least 120 inches
- Gun kills and found bucks must score at least 155 inches
- Shed antlers remain at 75 inches
More changes are coming later this fall, including new opportunities for hunters to learn how to score deer and even become official Buckmasters scorers.
“We want to honor these deer and create a common language for hunters to share their experiences,” Bushman said. “At Buckmasters, it’s all about the deer and the hunters who take them. Our record book is one way we celebrate both, and with the strength of our social media and TV platforms, we continue to be the go-to source for big whitetail bucks.”
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