I had a rack that i got that was full grown in the velvet that measured 25 1/5 inches wide,then the other day measured it again (couple years later) to find that it is now 23 1/2. What biggest shrinkage you have seen on your rack from when you killed them to now? Is there any way to prevent losing spread inches? (and no the shrinkage you see after getting out of the pool does not apply....)
The most inches you've lost during drying period
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sageadvice
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You must be doing something wrong. Mine and all my buddies racks always seem to grow a couple inches! 
Maybe a inch or so. I scored my 31 1/4" buck the other day for the first time. He's now 30 3/4".
Joey
Maybe a inch or so. I scored my 31 1/4" buck the other day for the first time. He's now 30 3/4".
Joey
featherflipper
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My August buck from this year was 28-1/8 on the 8/21/10 and I measured him again on 12/26/10 and it was 26-1/2.
He really only lost his spread. The mass and tine length were about the same as before.
You can't kill them on the couch!
He really only lost his spread. The mass and tine length were about the same as before.
You can't kill them on the couch!
oldmossback
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Actually the other day when I dropped my sons buck off at the taxidermist I asked him Why do they always look so much smaller when I come to pick them up. He said some guys actually request that he wedge a 2x4 between the horns during the drying process so they dont loose any width. He said at least a 1" is normal
BIGJOHNT
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I have friends that always spread their horns with a 2 x 4 in the middle of the antlers. For the first year of drying until the taxidermist gets a hold of them. I have never done this,afraid of breaking the skull plate. But they swear by it .
I have several bucks and 2 plus inches sounds about average on shrinkage . I think it's just gona happen.
I have several bucks and 2 plus inches sounds about average on shrinkage . I think it's just gona happen.
T
Team_UNC
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horns shrinking while drying.....
Team_UNC
Team_UNC
Zeke
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After I tell the story a few times my trophys always seem to grow! LOL
Actually I have noticed some shrinkage but I never have been one who lives or dies by the tape. If it's big when killed it will be big in a month or a year or a decade.
Good luck with your taping,
Zeke
Actually I have noticed some shrinkage but I never have been one who lives or dies by the tape. If it's big when killed it will be big in a month or a year or a decade.
Good luck with your taping,
Zeke
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NONYAMT
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My 38 1/4" buck measures 36 1/2 5 years later
swbuckmaster
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all of mine are around the same as the day I shot them. maybe your taxidermist is screwing them on to the mount to tight and cracking the skull plate.
The harder you work the luckier you get!!
The harder you work the luckier you get!!
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blackmax
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My 38" shot in 2003 now measures 36 3/4 now but I notice a bigger shrink rate with velvet bucks over hard horned bucks.
sageadvice
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Blackmax, Can you post up a pic of that Bad Boy?? 36, 38" whatever, those are special bucks!!
Joey
Joey
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DRHORNHUNTER
Guest
I shot a 32 inch three point that shrunk to 29-3/4 but the 34-1/2 stayed the same. Might have been the bondo In the mount screwed to the form? Ya I don't really care tho. It's the hunt That mattered
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waterbuck
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LAST EDITED ON Dec-27-10 AT 10:39PM (MST)[p]There will always be some loss of width over time. However, there are a couple of simple things that can be done to minimize width shrinkage, which is usually caused by the skull plate shrinking or reshaping. First, leave as much of the skull in place as possible. A thin strip of skull plate is more susceptible to shrinking or reshaping than is a large piece. Second, do not store your rack up-side-down, with the skull plate hanging over a rafter etc. Gravity helps pull the horns down and together as the plate dries. This is especially critical during the 60 day drying period, if you are getting your rack scored. I have been in many people?s garages and even taxidermy shops, and seen all their racks stored this way. If you are not worried about the width measurement or have already had the official score taken, then it is an easy way to store them. On the other hand, if you are concerned about losing width, then do not store them this way, and make sure your taxidermist does not either.
All that being said, the best way to minimize shrinkage is to avoid swimming in cold water.
All that being said, the best way to minimize shrinkage is to avoid swimming in cold water.
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bucky
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waterbuck, you are right. Hanging a rack that way is the worst thing you can do if you want to maintain the spread, but I always see people storing them like that. Also, keeping the skull plate big does help reduce shrinkage. (assuming that maintaining the original width matters)
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ShedRaker
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we just stick a board thats about half an inch wider than the horns in the middle of the rack. it does really well. fairly simple too
fuzzyvelvet
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As waterbuck stated the skull plate is what shrinks. I have quite a few european mounts that have not shrunk at all over the years so keep the antlers on the skull if possible for a while before mounting and that will help.
Fuzzy
Fuzzy
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bucky
Guest
a piece of PVC pipe with v's cut into the ends work well when put between the main beams. You can fold up a piece of paper towel to put between the rack and the PVC so it does not mark it up.
