Red Desert Pronghorn 80”+

What did it gross? You tell the net on one but the gross on the other two 🤔?
Grossed the same. No deductions. Perfectly symmetrical.

Since I doubted he’d go over 82”, I waited on the taxidermy delivery in April for scoring. I have no idea whether the additional four months from the 90-day drying deadline in December made a difference, but I doubt it mattered much.

Thanks for asking.

HT
 
HT
Nice Speed goats!! Thanks for sharing! Each of them unique and gorgeous in their own way.

Them speedgoats are the hardest thing for me to judge in the field. I have been holding out for years for an 80"er. For all I know I have let a few walk and not even known it - LOL
 
I feel like this post didn’t get the recognition it deserves. Also, how are we to be sure this person is 60 or older? Cementum annuli is off the table. 😂
Had some wisdom teeth yanked a few weeks back and really thought about sending them in. Asked my dentist about it, he didn't know if it would work or not. Researched it some, apparently works on people up to about 20-22 years old is all.
 
Last edited:
My Red Desert pronghorn is on the wall (upper right). He net scored 79-6/8”, so won’t be in any book, but still shows well matched with my two 85” gross antelope, being noticeably bigger in body and head and more vividly marked.

My Wyoming bighorn is on the left.

It’s been fun engaging with you guys on MM. Good luck on your future hunts.

HT

P.S. I had to break the photo in two to post.
Congrats. He is a great buck for sure.
 
Grossed the same. No deductions. Perfectly symmetrical.

Since I doubted he’d go over 82”, I waited on the taxidermy delivery in April for scoring. I have no idea whether the additional four months from the 90-day drying deadline in December made a difference, but I doubt it mattered much.

Thanks for asking.

HT
Antelope notoriously shrink a lot. I am guessing he was 3 inches bigger when you shot him and at 60 days probably would have made the awards. We're his horns in the freezer much?
 
I have heard that freeze drying them really helps prevent a lot of shrinkage. But I have no proof. I do know that ones I have really shrank over time. If I ever get another large one I will try getting it freeze dried.
 
Antelope notoriously shrink a lot. I am guessing he was 3 inches bigger when you shot him and at 60 days probably would have made the awards. We're his horns in the freezer much?
Okay Buzz, don't laugh, show data they don't shrink. Most are significant, 2 to 4 inches on many, especially if you freeze them and loose moisture.
 
Okay Buzz, don't laugh, show data they don't shrink. Most are significant, 2 to 4 inches on many, especially if you freeze them and loose moisture.
They only shrink 2-4 inches of score when they are scored too high to begin with. Boiling horns off doesn't help either.
 
Okay Buzz, don't laugh, show data they don't shrink. Most are significant, 2 to 4 inches on many, especially if you freeze them and loose moisture.
They don't shrink 2-4 inches. Follow the proper procedures, sweat the horns off, and bondo them back on the skull. Wait 60 days and have them scored. NO way they shrink 2-4 inches.
 
I would believe this gentleman, he has probably green scored more book goats than everyone together on this 220 post thread............

1712848102994.png
 
Last edited:
I’ll tell you where the shrink came from for the buck in this thread

measure it a few inches over what it actually grosses. Then get it officially measured. Make up that it has zero deductions. Bam! You now how 3-4” of shrink.

Rinse. Repeat.
I tell my wife the same thing…
I was in the pool!
 
I’ll tell you where the shrink came from for the buck in this thread

measure it a few inches over what it actually grosses. Then get it officially measured. Make up that it has zero deductions. Bam! You now how 3-4” of shrink.

Rinse. Repeat.
79 6/8 + 2 or 3 (normal shrinkage in 60 days according to the most knowledgeable antelope hunter around) = 81 6/8 or 82 6/8 + 1" additional shrinkage for the extra 5 months it sat around somewhere = 82 6/8 or 83 6/8

Just saying, it is definitely possible the OP scored it somewhat close originally.

Ever read about Buzz's buddy Randy's shrinkage? 2 6/8" shrinkage at 60 days. Can we use that number?
 
79 6/8 + 2 or 3 (normal shrinkage in 60 days according to the most knowledgeable antelope hunter around) = 81 6/8 or 82 6/8 + 1" additional shrinkage for the extra 5 months it sat around somewhere = 82 6/8 or 83 6/8

Just saying, it is definitely possible the OP scored it somewhat close originally.

Ever read about Buzz's buddy Randy's shrinkage? 2 6/8" shrinkage at 60 days. Can we use that number?
I think your math checks out.
 
79 6/8 + 2 or 3 (normal shrinkage in 60 days according to the most knowledgeable antelope hunter around) = 81 6/8 or 82 6/8 + 1" additional shrinkage for the extra 5 months it sat around somewhere = 82 6/8 or 83 6/8

Just saying, it is definitely possible the OP scored it somewhat close originally.

Ever read about Buzz's buddy Randy's shrinkage? 2 6/8" shrinkage at 60 days. Can we use that number?
Yes, Randy cut the horns off, threw it in the garage without sweating the horns off and bondoing them back on. No kidding they're going to shrink.

Not in any taxidermy shop I've ever either worked in or known about, are the horns not removed and bondo'd back on right away.

If, and that's a big if, the taxidermist in this case threw the horns on the floor for 7 months before he decided to re-attach the horns, and the hunter was going to score them, I'd be looking for a new taxidermist.

It is what it is, that pronghorn was never a book animal and I don't believe it scores 79 6/8 with zero deductions. I don't believe it shrunk 2-4 inches and I don't believe a taxidermist would just leave it sit for months on the skull without having reattached the horns.

When a story doesn't make sense, there's usually a reason why.

Irregardless, the buck is what it is, a nice one, but not a B&C buck.
 
Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental health condition in which people have an unreasonably high sense of their own importance. They need and seek too much attention and want people to admire them. People with this disorder may lack the ability to understand or care about the feelings of others. But behind this mask of extreme confidence, they are not sure of their self-worth and are easily upset by the slightest criticism.

A narcissistic personality disorder causes problems in many areas of life, such as relationships, work, school or financial matters. People with narcissistic personality disorder may be generally unhappy and disappointed when they're not given the special favors or admiration that they believe they deserve. They may find their relationships troubled and unfulfilling, and other people may not enjoy being around them.

Signs you're a narcissist.
  1. Narcissists have to be the best, the most right, and the most competent; do everything their way; own everything; and control everyone. BuzzH - Check.
  2. Narcissists constantly need attention—even just by following you around the house, asking you to find things, or constantly saying something to grab your attention. And validation for a narcissist counts only if it comes from others. BuzzH - Check.
  3. Narcissists need everything to be perfect. They believe they should be perfect, you should be perfect, events should happen exactly as expected, and life should play out precisely as they envision it. BuzzH - Check.
  4. Narcissists want and demand to be in control, and their sense of entitlement makes it seem logical to them that they should be in control of everything. BuzzH - Check.
  5. Narcissists never want to be responsible unless everything goes their way. They often place all the blame and responsibility on someone else to maintain their own façade of perfection. BuzzH - Check.
  6. Narcissists lack boundaries. They believe that everything belongs to them and everyone thinks and feels the same as they do. BuzzH - Check.
  7. Narcissists have very little ability to empathize with others and often lack an understanding of the nature of feelings. BuzzH - Check.
  8. Narcissists perceive everything as a threat. They frequently misread subtle facial expressions and are typically biased toward interpreting facial expressions as negative. BuzzH - Check.
  9. Narcissists make most of their decisions based on how they feel about something. They always look to something or someone outside themselves to solve their feelings and needs. BuzzH - Check.
  10. A narcissist's personality is split into good and bad parts. Any negative thoughts or behaviors are blamed on you or others, whereas they take credit for everything that is positive and good. BuzzH - Check.
  11. Narcissists are constantly afraid of being ridiculed, rejected, or wrong and often struggle to trust other people. BuzzH - Check.
 
Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental health condition in which people have an unreasonably high sense of their own importance. They need and seek too much attention and want people to admire them. People with this disorder may lack the ability to understand or care about the feelings of others. But behind this mask of extreme confidence, they are not sure of their self-worth and are easily upset by the slightest criticism.

A narcissistic personality disorder causes problems in many areas of life, such as relationships, work, school or financial matters. People with narcissistic personality disorder may be generally unhappy and disappointed when they're not given the special favors or admiration that they believe they deserve. They may find their relationships troubled and unfulfilling, and other people may not enjoy being around them.

Signs you're a narcissist.
  1. Narcissists have to be the best, the most right, and the most competent; do everything their way; own everything; and control everyone. BuzzH - Check.
  2. Narcissists constantly need attention—even just by following you around the house, asking you to find things, or constantly saying something to grab your attention. And validation for a narcissist counts only if it comes from others. BuzzH - Check.
  3. Narcissists need everything to be perfect. They believe they should be perfect, you should be perfect, events should happen exactly as expected, and life should play out precisely as they envision it. BuzzH - Check.
  4. Narcissists want and demand to be in control, and their sense of entitlement makes it seem logical to them that they should be in control of everything. BuzzH - Check.
  5. Narcissists never want to be responsible unless everything goes their way. They often place all the blame and responsibility on someone else to maintain their own façade of perfection. BuzzH - Check.
  6. Narcissists lack boundaries. They believe that everything belongs to them and everyone thinks and feels the same as they do. BuzzH - Check.
  7. Narcissists have very little ability to empathize with others and often lack an understanding of the nature of feelings. BuzzH - Check.
  8. Narcissists perceive everything as a threat. They frequently misread subtle facial expressions and are typically biased toward interpreting facial expressions as negative. BuzzH - Check.
  9. Narcissists make most of their decisions based on how they feel about something. They always look to something or someone outside themselves to solve their feelings and needs. BuzzH - Check.
  10. A narcissist's personality is split into good and bad parts. Any negative thoughts or behaviors are blamed on you or others, whereas they take credit for everything that is positive and good. BuzzH - Check.
  11. Narcissists are constantly afraid of being ridiculed, rejected, or wrong and often struggle to trust other people. BuzzH - Check.
Rent free....Check.
 
Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental health condition in which people have an unreasonably high sense of their own importance. They need and seek too much attention and want people to admire them. People with this disorder may lack the ability to understand or care about the feelings of others. But behind this mask of extreme confidence, they are not sure of their self-worth and are easily upset by the slightest criticism.
You of all should know this first hand.
 
I'm not one to agree with Buzz often but he's right, they don't shrink that much if done right.

I've green scored a lot of them then officially scored them after the waiting period and about 1" is the most I've ever seen. some didn't change at all.
 
I'm not one to agree with Buzz often but he's right, they don't shrink that much if done right.

I've green scored a lot of them then officially scored them after the waiting period and about 1" is the most I've ever seen. some didn't change at all.
Have you scored any years latter? Just wondering if shrinkage continues, and if so how much?
Thanks
 
I bondo mine similar to how Buzz mentioned in his post. It’s a pretty well know fact that if you don’t use bondo close to the time a buck is shot you will likely lose inches over time. Even during the 60 day drying period.

If bondo is done correctly the horns may shrink a little but not to the extent without bondo.
 
Never used bondo but the mache type of bonding agent and the horns don't shrink that much over time. After officially drying them I put some Skidmores beeswax wood finish on the horns and they look natural and are not going to shrink much more.
 
Never used bondo but the mache type of bonding agent and the horns don't shrink that much over time. After officially drying them I put some Skidmores beeswax wood finish on the horns and they look natural and are not going to shrink much more.
Does the wax attract dust when mounted?
 

Wyoming Hunting Guides & Outfitters

Badger Creek Outfitters

Offering elk, deer and pronghorn hunts on several privately owned ranches.

Urge 2 Hunt

We focus on trophy elk, mule deer, antelope and moose hunts and take B&C bucks most years.

J & J Outfitters

Offering quality fair-chase hunts for trophy mule deer, elk, and moose in Wyoming.


Yellowstone Horse Rentals - Western Wyoming Horses
Back
Top Bottom