Question 1

What is a Pope and Young score?

Accepted Answer

A Pope and Young score is a whitetail rack's net measurement in inches under the P&Y (Pope & Young) system — the archery record book. It uses the identical measurements and deductions as Boone & Crockett — inside spread, main beams, tines, and circumferences, minus symmetry and abnormal-point deductions — but only bucks taken with archery equipment under fair chase are eligible, and the minimums are lower: 125" net typical and 150" net non-typical.

Question 2

What is the minimum Pope and Young score for whitetail?

Accepted Answer

P&Y minimums are 125" net typical and 150" net non-typical. Both require the deer to have been taken with bow and arrow (or crossbow, where eligible) under Pope and Young's fair-chase rules, and to be scored after a 60-day drying period by a P&Y official measurer.

Question 3

How is Pope and Young different from Boone and Crockett?

Accepted Answer

The measurement system is identical — same inside spread, beam length, tine lengths, and circumferences. The differences are the entry requirements: P&Y is archery-only and uses lower minimums (125" vs 170" typical) to reflect the increased difficulty of bowhunting at typical archery range.

Question 4

Does my crossbow buck qualify for Pope and Young?

Accepted Answer

Crossbow eligibility depends on the state and on the rules in effect at the time the buck was taken. Pope and Young accepts crossbow entries in states where crossbows are part of the legal archery season. Always confirm against P&Y's current entry rules before submitting.

Question 5

Do I have to use a recurve, longbow, or compound?

Accepted Answer

Any vertical bow legal in your state qualifies — recurve, longbow, or compound. The bow must meet Pope and Young's draw-weight and arrow requirements, and the buck must have been taken under fair-chase conditions consistent with the rest of the rulebook.

Question 6

Is the Antler Calculator score official for P&Y entry?

Accepted Answer

No. This calculator gives you a fast, by-the-rules P&Y estimate so you know where your buck stands. Official P&Y entry requires the 60-day drying period and a measurement by a certified Pope and Young official measurer.

Pope and Young Score Calculator