Deer Scale: How to Weigh a Deer, Hog or Other Game
Short answer: a deer scale is a hanging scale or a floor platform. Most hunters weigh a whole deer on a hanging scale from a gambrel, or on a floor platform with the deer laid on a game cart, sled or tarp that is zeroed first. Field-dressed weight comes from weighing after field dressing; record which one you took. A platform also weighs feral hogs in a crate, and coolers of processed meat. The MNM Scales Optima OP-922 weighs up to 660 lb in 0.2 lb steps on a 20 x 43 inch, 2.6 inch high platform with a HOLD key.
End-of-year sale: $268 on the OP-922 (#43666). Contact us or call (832) 290-3120 with questions.
Platform scale guides from MNM Scales
- Shipping scale for large packages
- 500 lb scale guide: heavy duty platform scales
- Deer scale: how to weigh a deer, hog or other game (you are here)
- Veterinary scales buying guide
- How to weigh a dog
- Livestock scale for goats, sheep and pigs
- Floor scale buying guide for pallets
A deer scale answers the question every hunting camp asks: how big was it really? A weight in the log helps you track the herd on your lease year to year, plan processing and freezer space, and settle the friendly arguments around the skinning shed.
Hanging scale or platform scale for deer?
Deer weighing scales come in two styles, and the same game scale often weighs hogs, coolers and feed as well.
| Method | Best for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Hanging scale on a gambrel | Deer hung for skinning at camp | Scale and hoist rated above the deer; see our hanging scale guide and crane scale guide |
| Floor platform (OP-922) | Deer on a game cart or sled, hogs in a crate, coolers and quarters | The cart or sled must sit fully on the deck; zero it first |
| Weigh tape or chart estimate | Field estimate before you drag it out | An estimate only; confirm on a scale |
How to weigh a deer on a platform scale
- Set the platform on level concrete or a firm pad near the cleaning station.
- Put the empty game cart, sled or a folded tarp (not included) on the deck and press ZERO so it reads zero.
- Load the deer onto the cart or sled, keeping legs and head off the ground and clear of the edges.
- If the deer moves the cart, press HOLD once the reading settles to lock it.
- Record the weight, the date, field-dressed or whole, and the hunter’s name in the camp log.
- Unload, wipe the deck and confirm the display returns to zero.
A 20 x 43 inch deck is long enough for a game cart or a sled carrying a deer folded on its side. If any part of the animal or the cart rests on the ground, the reading is short, so move it until the whole load sits on the platform, or use a hanging scale for that animal.
A simple camp weight log
| Date | Hunter | Animal | Field-dressed or whole | Weight | Scale used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (date) | (name) | Whitetail buck | Field-dressed | (lb) | OP-922 platform |
| (date) | (name) | Feral hog | Whole, in crate (tared) | (lb) | OP-922 platform |
Field-dressed vs live weight
Field dressing removes the internal organs, so field-dressed weight is lower than live weight. Hunters and biologists often record field-dressed weight because that is when a deer reaches camp. Write down which weight you took; comparing a field-dressed deer with a live weight from another season gives a misleading trend.
Weighing feral hogs, quarters and coolers
- Feral hogs: weigh a hog in a crate or carrier on the platform; zero the empty crate first and press HOLD while it moves.
- Quarters and processed meat: weigh coolers before and after processing to know what goes into the freezer; zero the empty cooler first.
- Feed for the lease: the same scale checks corn and protein sacks before they go into the feeders.
| Item | MNM Scales Optima OP-922 (#43666) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 660 lb (300 kg) |
| Graduation (readability) | 0.2 lb / 0.1 kg (1/3000) |
| Platform | 20 x 43 in nominal (510 x 1120 mm) |
| Construction | Powder-coated mild steel frame with a 430 stainless steel cover |
| Mat | Anti-slip rubber mat, included |
| Platform height | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Load cells | 4 aluminum single-point load cells |
| Display | 6-digit backlit LCD on the LP7515 LCD indicator |
| Indicator keys | ON/OFF, ZERO, UNIT and HOLD |
| Hold | Yes: the HOLD key locks the weight of a moving animal |
| Units | lb and kg |
| Power | DC 6 V adapter or batteries |
| Scale weight | 18 kg (about 40 lb) |
| Use | In-house weighing: animals, packages, kegs, sacks and gear for your own records |
| Price | End-of-year sale: $268; contact us or call (832) 290-3120 |
Caring for a scale at camp
- Rinse blood and hair off the rubber mat after each use and let it dry before storing.
- Wipe the stainless cover instead of hosing it, keep water away from the indicator and the cable connector, and dry the scale before storage.
- Store the platform dry and flat between seasons; touch up any chips in the powder coat so the mild steel frame stays protected.
- The OP-922 runs on a DC 6 V adapter or on batteries, so it works at camp away from an outlet. See the LP7515 guide for indicator settings.
- Check it before the season with a known weight, and see how to calibrate a floor scale if it reads off.
Notes from our Cypress, TX shop
- Blood and water are the enemy: moisture in the indicator or the cable connector is a frequent cause of repairs on scales used outdoors. Keep the indicator up off the ground and covered.
- Check before opening weekend: weigh a known weight, such as a test weight or a set of gym plates, before the season; if it reads off, bring the scale to our Cypress shop by appointment.
- Season-end storage: remove the batteries, dry the deck and mat, and store the platform flat indoors.
Hunting leases and ranches around Waller, Hockley and Magnolia often weigh feed and livestock on the same scale; our livestock scale guide covers goats, sheep and show pigs.
Selling meat or animals by weight
Weighing your own game for camp records is an in-house use. Selling meat or live animals by the pound is a sale by weight, and big-buck contests set their own rules for the official scale. The OP-922 is built for in-house weighing, and it is sold as a vet scale for weighing animals for health and growth tracking. It is not NTEP approved, so it is not a legal-for-trade scale. When the weight sets a price or a charge in Texas, use an NTEP approved scale, and contact us for NTEP options. Our guide to NTEP and legal-for-trade scales explains the classes, and the legal-for-trade scale checker helps you match a scale to a use. Scales used in trade also follow NIST Handbook 44.
Texas note: TDA does not require an NTEP certificate for every device, but the scale must meet NIST Handbook 44 and suit its use; some scales do need one, so we recommend NTEP models and can check yours. See TDA’s scales used in trade guidance (PDF) and our TDA scale certification guide, or call us or TDA to confirm your use.
Ready to order? The MNM Scales Optima OP-922 is a 660 lb by 0.2 lb, 20 x 43 inch platform with a 430 stainless cover on a powder-coated mild steel frame, an anti-slip rubber mat and an LP7515 LCD indicator, End-of-year sale: $268 (see the listing for current stock). Hanging your deer instead? See our hanging scale guide. Want it calibrated before it ships? Add in-house calibration with a certificate or NIST calibration with a NIST-traceable certificate, or ask us for a calibration quote. Questions? Call (832) 290-3120.
Shop the OP-922 (#43666) Call (832) 290-3120 Request a quote
Calibration, repair and rentals
- Calibrated before it ships: in-house calibration with a certificate or NIST calibration with a NIST-traceable certificate for the OP-922’s capacity; contact us for a quote. See NIST vs in-house certificates and how to calibrate a floor scale.
- On-site service: on-site calibration is $295 plus $2 per mile per visit, plus the calibration fee for each scale. For floor and platform scales, our TDA-registered technicians bring their own test weights.
- Mail-in calibration: ship the scale to our shop with the mail-in calibration service.
- Cypress pickup by appointment: drop off or pick up at our Cypress, TX shop (21249 FM 529 Rd, Cypress, TX 77433).
- Repair: load cell, cable and indicator problems go to our scale repair bench. A reading that drifts or will not return to zero? Start with why a scale will not zero.
- Rentals: we rent all types of scales; ask about a scale rental for a busy season, an event or while yours is in for service.
Frequently asked questions
How do you weigh a deer without a hanging scale?
Use a floor platform scale: zero an empty game cart or sled on the deck, load the deer so nothing touches the ground, and read once it settles or press HOLD.
What size scale do I need for a deer?
One rated above your biggest deer plus the cart, sled or gambrel. A 660 lb platform covers deer and most feral hogs with room to spare.
Should I record field-dressed or live weight?
Either, as long as you note which one. Field-dressed weight is lower than live weight because the organs are removed, so compare like with like.
Can I weigh a hog on a platform scale?
Yes. Put the hog in a crate on the deck, zero the empty crate first, and press HOLD to lock the weight while it moves.
Is a deer scale accurate enough for contests?
Contests set their own rules for the official scale, so ask the organizer. For your camp log, a calibrated platform or hanging scale gives a weight you can compare season to season.
How do I keep a camp scale accurate?
Keep it dry, store it flat, check it before each season with a known weight, and have it calibrated at least once a year or after a drop.