Iron Stag User Manual
A complete guide to account setup, scanning deer, understanding results, and managing your subscription.
1. Introduction
What is Iron Stag?
Iron Stag is an AI-powered deer analysis application designed for hunters, wildlife enthusiasts, and deer management professionals. Using advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning, Iron Stag analyzes photos of deer to provide:
- Age Estimation - Estimated age of the deer in years
- Sex Identification - Buck or Doe classification
- Species Type - Whitetail or Mule Deer identification
- Antler Analysis - Point count (left and right antlers separately)
- Body Condition Assessment - Overall health evaluation
- Harvest Recommendation - AI-powered HARVEST or PASS recommendation
- Confidence Score - Calibrated confidence for age and recommendation
- Regional Calibration - Confidence adjusted for your hunting region
- Favorites & Tags - Organize scans with favorites and custom tags
- Feedback Labels - Optional accuracy feedback to improve the model
- Offline Queue - Save scans offline and upload automatically when online
- Cross-Device Images - Optional cloud image access when enabled
Supported Deer Species
Iron Stag is specifically designed for:
- ✅ Whitetail Deer
- ✅ Mule Deer
The app will not analyze:
- ❌ Elk
- ❌ Moose
- ❌ Other wildlife (hogs, turkey, etc.)
- ❌ Non-animal images
If you upload an image that isn't a Whitetail or Mule Deer, the app will notify you and no scan will be used.
2. Getting Started
System Requirements
iOS:
- iOS 15.1 or later
- iPhone 8 or newer recommended
- Camera access for photo capture
- Internet connection required for AI analysis
Android:
- Android 7.0 (API 24) or later
- 4GB RAM recommended
- Camera access for photo capture
- Internet connection required for AI analysis (offline scans are queued until you’re back online)
Installation
App Store (iOS)
- Open the App Store on your iPhone
- Search for "Iron Stag"
- Tap "Get" to download
- Open the app once installed
Google Play Store (Android)
- Open Google Play Store
- Search for "Iron Stag"
- Tap "Install"
- Open the app once installed
First Launch
When you first open Iron Stag:
- Welcome Screen - View the app introduction
- Account Creation - Create an account or sign in
- Legal Disclaimer - Accept the terms of use
- Permissions - Grant camera and photo library access
- Set Home State - Provide regional context for the confidence calculation
- Ready to Scan - Start analyzing deer!
3. Account Management
Creating an Account
Email Registration
- Tap "Sign Up" on the welcome screen
- Enter your information:
- First Name (required)
- Last Name (required)
- Username (required, unique)
- Email Address (required, unique)
- Password (required, minimum 8 characters)
- Tap "Create Account"
- Accept the legal disclaimer
- You're ready to start scanning!
Signing In
You can sign in using:
- Email Address + Password
- Username + Password
- Sign in with Apple (iOS only)
Sign in with Apple (iOS)
- Tap Sign in with Apple on the login screen
- Approve Face ID/Touch ID
- Your account will be created or linked automatically
Forgot Password
- Tap "Forgot Password?" on the login screen
- Enter your registered email address
- Tap "Send Reset Code"
- Check your email for the 6-digit code
- Enter the code and your new password
- Tap "Reset Password"
Note: Reset codes expire after 15 minutes.
Editing Your Profile
- Go to the Profile tab
- Tap "Edit Profile" (pencil icon)
- You can update:
- First Name
- Last Name
- Username
- Tap "Save" to confirm changes
Signing Out
- Go to the Profile tab
- Scroll to the bottom
- Tap "Sign Out"
- Confirm when prompted
4. Biometric Login
Overview
Iron Stag supports biometric authentication for quick, secure login using:
- Face ID (iPhone X and newer, iPad Pro)
- Touch ID (iPhone 5S-8, older iPads)
- Fingerprint (Android devices with fingerprint sensors)
- Face Unlock (Android devices with face recognition)
Enabling Biometric Login
- Sign in with your email/username and password first
- Go to the Profile tab
- Scroll to the Security section
- Tap "Face ID Login" or "Fingerprint Login" toggle
- Authenticate with your biometric to confirm
- Biometric login is now enabled!
Using Biometric Login
Once enabled, the next time you open Iron Stag:
- On the login screen, you'll see a "Login with Face ID" or "Login with Fingerprint" button
- Tap the button
- Authenticate with your face or fingerprint
- You're instantly logged in!
Disabling Biometric Login
- Go to Profile → Security
- Tap the biometric toggle to turn it off
- Biometric login is now disabled
Important Notes
| Note | Details | |------|---------| | First login required | You must log in with password at least once before enabling biometric | | Token expiration | If your session expires (30 days), you'll need to re-enter your password | | Device-specific | Biometric is tied to your device; set up again on new devices | | Security | Your password is NOT stored; only a secure token is saved | | Fallback | You can always use your password if biometric fails |
Troubleshooting Biometric
"Biometric not available"
- Ensure your device has Face ID/Touch ID/Fingerprint hardware
- Check that biometrics are set up in your device settings
- Some older devices may not support biometric authentication
"Please login with password"
- Your stored token has expired
- Log in with your password and re-enable biometric
Biometric doesn't appear on login screen
- You haven't enabled it yet; go to Profile → Security first
- Only appears on iOS/Android native apps (not Expo Go)
5. Home State & Regional Calibration
Why Set Your Home State?
Body appearance and seasonal context can vary by region. Setting your Home State supplies regional context used by Iron Stag's confidence calculation; it does not confirm the age estimate.
Benefits of Regional Calibration
- Regional context - Associates the scan with the configured calibration region
- Separate uncertainty - Results can show confidence or withhold an age when cues are insufficient
Setting Your Home State
Your Home State is prominently displayed in your Profile:
- Go to the Profile tab
- Find the Home State card (near the top)
- Tap to open the state selector
- Scroll or search for your state
- Tap your state to select it
- Your selection is saved automatically
Regional Calibration Zones
Iron Stag groups states into calibration regions:
| Region | States | |--------|--------| | Midwest | IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI | | Southeast | AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, VA, WV | | Northeast | CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT | | Plains | CO, MT, NM, WY, UT, ID, NV, AZ, WA, OR, CA | | South Texas | TX | | Northern | AK |
Per-Scan Location Override
If you're hunting in a different state than your home state:
- On the Scan screen, look for "Hunting Location"
- Tap to select the state where you're currently hunting
- This overrides your home state for this scan only
- Your home state remains unchanged for future scans
6. Scanning Deer
How to Scan
Navigate to the Scan tab (center icon) to analyze a deer.
Method 1: Take a Photo
- Tap "Scan Deer" or "Open Camera"
- Point your camera at the deer
- Tap the capture button
- Review the photo
- Optionally set a different hunting location
- Tap "Analyze" to process (or queue if offline)
Method 2: Upload from Gallery
- Tap "Choose from Library"
- Select a deer photo from your device
- Optionally set a different hunting location
- Tap "Analyze" to process (or queue if offline)
Photo Requirements
Use images that make the body cues easier to inspect:
✅ DO:
- Use clear, well-lit photos
- Capture the deer from the side (broadside view)
- Include the full body if possible
- Ensure the deer is in focus
- Take photos during daylight or with good artificial lighting
- Set the applicable state when regional context is relevant
❌ DON'T:
- Use blurry or out-of-focus images
- Upload extremely dark photos
- Use images where the deer is too far away
- Submit photos with multiple deer (AI may get confused)
- Upload photos of mounted/taxidermy deer
Scan Limits
Free Users (Tracker Tier):
- 3 free scans total
- Scans do not refresh
- Upgrade to Master Stag for unlimited scans
Premium Users (Master Stag Tier):
- Unlimited scans
- No scan quota; image and analysis requirements still apply
What Happens During Analysis
- Your image is securely uploaded
- AI analysis runs through the online service; processing time varies with the image and connection
- Regional calibration is applied based on your location
- Results are displayed on the Scan Result screen
- Data is saved to your Scan History
- Image is stored locally on your device (and may be stored in cloud if enabled)
Offline Scans
If you're offline:
- The scan is saved to an offline queue
- You'll see an offline indicator
- Once you're back online, the scan uploads automatically
- Results appear in your history after processing
7. Scan Results
Understanding Your Results
After a successful scan, you'll see:
Primary Information
| Field | Description | |-------|-------------| | Deer Type | Whitetail or Mule Deer | | Sex | Buck, Doe, or Unknown | | Estimated Age | Age in years (e.g., 3.5 years) | | Recommendation | HARVEST (green) or PASS (red) | | Confidence | AI certainty percentage (0-100%) |
Understanding Confidence Scores
Iron Stag uses a calibrated confidence system:
- High Confidence (70%+) - The AI is confident in its assessment
- Moderate Confidence (50-70%) - Reasonable certainty, but some uncertainty
- Low Confidence (<50%) - The AI is uncertain; consider this a rough estimate
Age Uncertain Indicator: When confidence is low, you may see "Age Uncertain" displayed. This means the AI acknowledges it’s not sure about the age estimate.
Confidence Breakdown: Some results show separate confidence for age and recommendation.
Antler Details (Bucks Only)
| Field | Description | |-------|-------------| | Total Points | Combined antler points | | Left Antler | Points on left side | | Right Antler | Points on right side |
Additional Information
| Field | Description | |-------|-------------| | Body Condition | Health assessment (Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor) | | Reasoning | AI's explanation for the recommendation | | Region | The calibration region used for this scan (if enabled) |
Manual Unofficial Boone and Crockett Workflow
This workflow is separate from AI deer analysis and is available for harvested buck records. Iron Stag does not infer rack measurements or a Boone and Crockett score from the photo.
- The user selects Typical or Non-Typical for the matching Whitetail Deer or Mule Deer record.
- The user manually enters physical antler measurements in whole inches and eighths.
- The app organizes the measurements and calculates the guided worksheet totals.
- The saved result is unofficial and is not a certified Boone and Crockett score.
Editing Scan Results
If you believe the AI made an error, you can edit and re-analyze:
- Tap the Edit button (pencil icon) on the scan result
- Modify any of the following:
- Sex (Buck/Doe)
- Deer Type (Whitetail/Mule Deer)
- Left Antler Points
- Right Antler Points
- Tap "Re-Analyze"
- The AI will recalculate using your corrections
Adding Notes
- Tap the notes field at the bottom of the result
- Enter any personal observations:
- Location where the deer was spotted
- Trail camera number
- Weather conditions
- Any other relevant details
- Notes are saved automatically
8. Scan History
Viewing History
- Navigate to the History tab
- View all your past scans in a scrollable list
- Each entry shows:
- Thumbnail image
- Deer type and sex
- Age and point count
- HARVEST/PASS recommendation
- Confidence score
- Date scanned
- Favorite badge (if starred)
Searching & Filtering
Search Bar
Type to search by:
- Deer type ("Whitetail", "Mule")
- Sex ("Buck", "Doe")
- Age ("4 yrs")
- Points ("8 points")
- Recommendation ("HARVEST", "PASS")
- Date ("Jan 2026")
- Notes content
Quick Filters
Tap the filter dropdown buttons:
Sex Filter:
- All
- Buck
- Doe
Recommendation Filter:
- All
- HARVEST
- PASS
Favorites Filter:
- Toggle to show only favorites
Favorites & Tags
- Tap the heart icon to favorite a scan
- Add tags on the scan detail page for quick grouping (e.g., "north ridge")
Viewing Scan Details
- Tap any scan in the history list
- View the full scan result page
- Edit, add notes, tag, or delete as needed
Feedback Labels (Optional)
After about a week, you may see a feedback prompt on older scans:
- Provide exact age if harvested
- Or a quick “spot on / close / off” rating
This feedback helps improve calibration.
Deleting Individual Scans
- Open the scan you want to delete
- Tap the delete/trash icon
- Confirm deletion
- The scan is permanently removed
9. Learn Section
Educational Content
The Learn tab provides educational resources about:
- Deer Aging Techniques - How to estimate deer age by body characteristics
- Antler Development - Understanding antler growth patterns
- Body Condition Indicators - What to look for in healthy deer
- Age Classes - Fawn, Yearling, Adult, Mature, Post-Mature
- Quick Tips - Short guidance on body structure, neck size, and antler mass
Content Format
- Age class reference cards
- Short tips for aging accuracy
10. Profile & Settings
Profile Overview
Your profile displays:
- Name and username
- Email address
- Member since date
- Current subscription tier
- Home State setting
Home State
Prominently displayed at the top of your profile:
- Shows your currently selected state
- Shows "Calibrated for your region" when set
- Tap to change your home state
Subscription Status
View your current plan:
- Tracker (Free) - 3 scans
- Master Stag (Premium) - Unlimited scans
Manage Subscription
- Upgrade via in-app purchase (iOS/Android) or Stripe checkout (web/Expo Go)
- Manage billing via the subscription portal (if using Stripe)
- Restore purchases available on iOS/Android
Storage Management
Iron Stag stores scan images locally on your device. If cloud storage is enabled, scans can also display from a secure image URL.
Cleanup Settings
Set a cleanup interval:
- Go to Profile → Local Storage
- Select cleanup interval:
- 30 days
- 60 days
- 90 days (recommended)
- 180 days
- Images older than the interval can be cleaned up
Manual Cleanup
Clean Up Old Images:
- Tap "Clean Up Old Images"
- Images older than your set interval are deleted
- Associated scan history is also removed
Clear All Local Images:
- Tap "Clear All"
- Confirm (destructive action)
- ALL local images AND scan history are deleted
⚠️ Warning: Clearing images also deletes all your scan history from the database. This cannot be undone.
About Iron Stag
View app information including:
- Current app version and build number
- Check for updates (opens App Store or Play Store)
- Legal information
Restore Purchases
If your subscription isn't showing:
- Go to Profile
- Tap "Restore Purchases"
- Wait for verification with Apple/Google
- Your subscription status will update
Use this when:
- You reinstalled the app
- You switched to a new device
- Your subscription isn't being recognized
Delete Account
⚠️ Permanent Action - Cannot be undone!
- Scroll to bottom of Profile
- Tap "Delete Account" (red button)
- Confirm first warning
- Confirm second warning
- Your account is permanently deleted:
- All scan history removed
- Local images cleared
- Account credentials deleted
- You are signed out
11. Subscription Plans
Tracker (Free)
Price: Free
Features:
- 3 lifetime scans
- Full AI analysis with regional calibration
- Scan history
- Local image storage
Limitations:
- Scans do not refresh
- Once 3 scans are used, must upgrade
Master Stag (Premium)
Reference U.S. price: $9.99/month or $89.99/year. The App Store or Google Play shows the final regional price before purchase.
Features:
- Unlimited scans, subject to image and analysis requirements
- AI analysis with regional context
- Scan history with search and filters
- Edit and re-analyze scans
How to Subscribe
- Use all 3 free scans, OR
- Go to Profile → tap subscription card
- Select Monthly ($9.99/mo) or Annual ($89.99/yr)
- Complete the purchase through the App Store or Google Play
- Subscription activates immediately
Managing Your Subscription
iOS:
- Open Settings → Your Name → Subscriptions
- Tap "Iron Stag"
- Manage or cancel
Android:
- Open Play Store → Menu → Subscriptions
- Tap "Iron Stag"
- Manage or cancel
Cancellation Policy
- Manage or cancel the subscription in the store account used to purchase it.
- Store billing and refund rules apply.
12. Data & Privacy
What Data We Collect
| Data Type | Purpose | Storage | |-----------|---------|----------| | Email | Account identification | Server | | Name | Personalization | Server | | Home State | Regional calibration | Server | | Deer Photos | AI analysis | Processed; stored locally, optional cloud copy | | Scan Results | History feature | Server | | Device Info | App functionality | Local only | | Crash Reports | Debugging (opt-in by env) | Server when enabled |
Image Handling
- Upload: Your image is sent to our secure server
- Analysis: AI processes the image with regional calibration
- Storage: Image is stored locally on your device
- Optional Cloud: If cloud storage is enabled, a compressed copy may be stored for cross-device access
Data Security
- All data transmitted via HTTPS/TLS encryption
- Passwords are hashed (never stored in plain text)
- JWT tokens for secure authentication
Your Rights
- Access: View all your data in the app
- Delete: Remove all your data via Delete Account
- Opt-out: Cancel subscription anytime
Privacy Policy
View our full privacy policy at:
- In-app: Profile → Privacy Policy
- Web: https://asgardsolution.io/iron-stag/privacy
13. Troubleshooting
Common Issues
"Analysis Failed"
Possible causes:
- Poor internet connection
- Image too large
- Server temporarily unavailable
Solutions:
- Check your internet connection
- Try a smaller/compressed image
- Wait a moment and try again
"Not a Deer" Message
Cause: The AI detected something other than a Whitetail or Mule Deer.
Solution: Only upload photos of Whitetail or Mule Deer. Elk, Moose, and other animals are not supported.
Login Failed
Possible causes:
- Incorrect email/username or password
- Account doesn't exist
- Network issues
Solutions:
- Verify your email/username spelling
- Use "Forgot Password" to reset
- Check your internet connection
Subscription Not Showing
Solutions:
- Tap "Restore Purchases" in Profile
- Ensure you're signed into the same Apple ID/Google account
- Wait a few minutes and try again
- Contact support if issue persists
Camera Not Working
Solutions:
- Check app permissions in device settings
- Restart the app
- Restart your device
Images Not Loading in History
Cause: Local images may have been cleared.
Note: If you cleared local images, the scan data remains but images won't display. This is expected behavior.
Error Codes
| Code | Meaning | Solution | |------|---------|----------| | 401 | Not authenticated | Sign in again | | 403 | Scan limit reached | Upgrade to Master Stag | | 400 | Invalid request | Check image format | | 500 | Server error | Try again later |
14. FAQ
General
Q: Does Iron Stag guarantee an accurate age? A: No. Photo quality, angle, obstruction, posture, season, and visible body cues affect the estimate. Use confidence and reasoning as context, not proof of biological age.
Q: Does it work offline? A: AI analysis requires internet, but scans can be queued offline and uploaded automatically when you’re back online.
Q: Can I use trail-camera photos? A: Yes, when one Whitetail or Mule Deer is clearly visible. A level, broadside, full-body frame generally exposes more useful aging cues than a distant, blurred, obstructed, or sharply angled image.
Q: Why should I set my home state? A: The selected state supplies regional context to the confidence calculation. It does not confirm the estimated age.
Scanning
Q: Why was my scan rejected? A: The AI only analyzes Whitetail and Mule Deer. Photos of other animals or non-animal images will be rejected.
Q: How long does analysis take? A: Processing time varies with the image, connection, and service conditions.
Q: Can I scan the same deer twice? A: Yes, each scan uses one of your scan credits.
Q: What does "Age Uncertain" mean? A: When the AI's confidence is low, it honestly tells you it's uncertain about the age estimate. Use such results as rough guidance.
Q: Does Iron Stag calculate a Boone and Crockett score from the photo? A: No. The AI photo analysis and the manually guided unofficial scoring workflow are separate. The user enters physical measurements for a harvested buck.
Q: Which unofficial score types are available? A: Typical and Non-Typical workflows are available for Whitetail Deer and Mule Deer. The result is not a certified Boone and Crockett score.
Subscription
Q: Do free scans refresh? A: No. Free users get 3 lifetime scans. Once used, upgrade is required.
Q: Can I get a refund? A: Refunds are handled by Apple/Google according to their policies.
Q: What happens if I cancel? A: You keep access until the end of your billing period, then revert to Tracker tier.
Q: What are the subscription prices? A: Reference U.S. prices are $9.99 monthly and $89.99 annually. The App Store or Google Play shows the final regional price before purchase.
Privacy
Q: Do you store my photos? A: Photos are stored locally. If cloud image storage is enabled, a compressed copy may be stored for cross-device access.
Q: Can I delete all my data? A: Yes. Use "Delete Account" to permanently remove all data.
Biometric Login
Q: How do I enable fingerprint/Face ID login? A: First login with your password, then go to Profile → Security and toggle on biometric login.
Q: Why isn't biometric showing on my login screen? A: You must enable it first from Profile → Security. It also requires a native build (not Expo Go).
Q: What does biometric login store? A: The app uses the device biometric prompt to protect a locally stored authentication token; it does not store the biometric itself.
15. Contact & Support
Customer Support
Email: support@asgardsolution.io
Bug Reports
To report a bug:
- Email support@asgardsolution.io
- Include:
- Device model
- OS version
- App version
- Steps to reproduce
- Screenshots if applicable
Feature Requests
We love hearing from our users! Email your suggestions to: support@asgardsolution.io
Legal
- Terms of Service: https://asgardsolution.io/iron-stag/terms
- Privacy Policy: https://asgardsolution.io/iron-stag/privacy
Appendix A: Supported Image Formats
| Format | Supported | |--------|-----------| | JPEG/JPG | ✅ Yes | | PNG | ✅ Yes | | HEIC | ✅ Yes (iOS) | | WebP | ✅ Yes | | GIF | ❌ No | | BMP | ❌ No | | RAW | ❌ No |
Maximum file size: 20MB
Appendix B: Age Estimation Guide
The AI considers multiple factors:
| Age | Typical Characteristics | |-----|------------------------| | 1.5 yrs | Slender body, thin neck, spike or small antlers | | 2.5 yrs | Athletic build, slight neck swelling during rut | | 3.5 yrs | Muscular, developed chest, full antler potential | | 4.5 yrs | Heavy body, thick neck, may have belly sag | | 5.5+ yrs | Swayed back, loose skin, pot belly, thick body |
Appendix C: Regional Calibration Zones
| Region | Characteristics | States | |--------|-----------------|--------| | Midwest | Large-bodied deer, consistent conditions | IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI | | Southeast | Varied terrain, longer seasons | AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, VA, WV | | Northeast | Dense cover, cold winters | CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT | | Plains | Open country, mule deer mix | CO, MT, NM, WY, UT, ID, NV, AZ, WA, OR, CA | | South Texas | Late rut, unique genetics | TX | | Northern | Short seasons, large deer | AK |
Thank you for using Iron Stag!
Happy Hunting! 🦌
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