score loss numbers

hunterman67 · Post by **hunterman67** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 2:36 am

hello all- hope your seasons- both holidays and hunting went well. I`ve got a question. whats the most points you have ever lost or heard of a buck losing after the drying out period ? is it possible that deer dry out faster/more/different in different parts of the country ? I mean if a buck is shot and green scores 181 even the day he is taken, then 60 days goes by and what would you expect him to end up at ? from say colorado, or arizona, utah, etc ? do deer dry better/worse in different states ? how about all animals, javelina, antelope, elk, anything ? just curious.

ridgetop · Post by **ridgetop** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:19 am

I think the only place you may loose an in. or two would be in the inside spread.

Post by **ABert** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 12:07 pm

Never really thought about it, but makes sense if you bring it to a drier climate it would shrink more??? Or to a more humid climate it would shrink less???

AGCHAWK · Post by **AGCHAWK** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 1:37 pm

Great question!

Does that mean that if two men of equal height die...one in the desert and one in the high country, that their skeletons would be of different heights/lengths afterward?

I doubt this would be the case although I know it would take a longer period for the drying to be completed in a cooler or moister environment vice a hot dry environment.

MAYBE that's why the drying period is 60 days vice 30, 45, etc. I'm sure SOMEONE did enough studying on this to deduce that 60 days would be sufficient regardless of the region or environment.

I just don't believe that it would make a difference, in the long run, on the score. After all, bones don't "shrivel up". Once the drying period is over the amount of shrinkage due to drying would be the same....it may just take longer to get to that point because of the environment.

Of course, I could be mistaken...LOL

IRONHEAD · Post by **IRONHEAD** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 1:58 pm

I had a buck shrink 3/8" on his inside spread, that is the worst I have seen.

Post by **ABert** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 2:19 pm

I will say I've had shrinkage happen from the time I pulled the trigger until the time I walked up to it. Most amazing amount of shrinkage I've ever seen in just a matter of a few minutes.

AGCHAWK · Post by **AGCHAWK** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 2:31 pm

LOL...Yea, we've all experienced that "Ground Shrinkage".

Post by **MuleyMadness** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 2:55 pm

In the velvet, they will shrink A LOT more than hard horned. I've heard of 2 - 2 1/2 " in velvet. (can't confirm)

Not sure on hard horned, but not near that bad for sure.

3/8" isn't bad either.

Post by **killerbee** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 5:42 pm

are we still talking about the same shrinkage? i hate it too!!!!

Post by **killerbee** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 5:43 pm

but i do believe that it mostly comes from the inside spread. hard to think that the bone shrinks that much. i have lost over 1 inch in spread before.