Accurately Calculate Deer Weight by the Heart Girth Measurement Method
Maryland allows individuals and licensed butchers to process venison for hunters and/or donation to food-donation programs. Following is a list of guidelines that processors should follow when accepting deer for processing.

Guidelines For Venison Processing In Maryland
By using a tape measure you can accurately determine the weight of your deer. The girth of the deer is measured, in inches, just behind the forelegs. The heart girth measurement is converted to pounds in the chart below. If you do not have a tape measure, use a string. Draw the string tightly around the deer’s chest, then measure the string with a ruler.