Know-nothing wonders about deer

I've received a subscription to Field & Stream magazine, and I've been reading about trophy deer. There is a lot of talk about 'typical' and 'nontypical' deer. I'm clueless. I've never been huntin in my life. I've gone fishing a few times.

It seems the threshold for recognition of a nontypical deer are higher, than for a typical deer.

Can anyone inform me about this distinction?

I've seen mention of the same distinction between elk.

Thanks,

The best definition i can find is,

Common Point Definition. a common point is a protrusion of antler which is not less than 1 inch in length and whose length is greater than the width of its base.

Palmated Point Definition. Where a plamated point has a baseline wider than the length of the point.(90 degrees to the centerline of te point) 1 inch from its tip,and if at that location the length is greater than the width,the point is legal and shall be measured from tip to baseline.

Definition Of A Typical Point, A point which rises in a vertical attitude from the main beam in a typical fashion shall be considered a typical point.There is no limit to the number of typical tines which may occur.

Definition Of A Irregular Point. Any point which grows from the main beam or from other points and which does not conform to the definition of a typical point shall be considred irregular.In many cases,an irregular point may grow from a typical point or another irregular point.

This came out of the BuckMasters whitetail trophy records book.

btw, buckmasters does not include te inside spread,does not deduct differences between lengths of opposing typical points,no drying time is required before a rack can be scored,,,,it just gives you a total score for the rack,,All Bone,No Air

hope his helps you.

Thank you for the reply.