Archimedes and the Non-Typical Rack

Making the Case for a Volume Based Scoring System


A non-typical rack is by definition, unusually shaped. This makes them difficult to judge on the hoof and difficult to score with a tape measure. The ultimate question is, "How big is it?" So why do existing systems rely on linear measurements? Even a typical rack is measured awkwardly. Inside spread, outside spread, circumferences at the basses, circumferences in between the tines. It is all trying to get a general picture of how much space the rack takes up. Volume. But here is the problem, volumes of irregular shapes cannot be accurately measured by a series of surface dimensions. Water displacement
is the way to go. Even if we concede that typical racks will continue to be measured with the Boone & Crocket system, non-typical racks are perfect candidates for volume scoring by water displacement.

Until Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction," one of the most famous instance of public nudity in history was when Archimedes climbed into his bathtub only to have the water he displaced spill over the sides. He had discovered a method by which he could measure volume or irregular shapes. At the moment of discovery, he ran out of his house and down the street in his birthday suit shouting, "Eureka! I've found it!"

Now is that "Eureka" moment for scoring non-typical racks. The Beatty Buck is a great example of a huge rack where a tape measure just doesn't do it justice. I don't want to know how many inches you can add up after putting a tape to it a couple of dozen times. I want to know how big it really is. How many pints? How many gallons? Would it make my bathtub overflow? Linear inches can't answer these questions.

If the hunting community adopts the Flatau & Archimedes system you might take your deer to the local bait shop to check in your buck. While you're there, you can dunk his headgear in the live-well and find out what he scores on the spot. You might give your hunting buddy a ribbing for the half-pint he shot last season or have the whole neighborhood come over to see the gallon deer hanging in your garage. Just be prepared for the day you arrive at that long anticipated Saskatchewan hunt. Your guide tells you about the 2.8 liter buck he has been seeing and you start scratching your head as you work out the conversion.
-KF