What is the best way to minimize shrinkage of a nice set of antlers as they age. I've heard of everything from putting a board inside the spread to keeping it in a plastic bag in the freezer.

Does anything work?

Thanks,
Kevin

Welcome to the website BIGGUN.

IMO the best thing to do is to not cut the skull cap off. Once you do that it can shrink the inside spread as the skull bone dries. If you leave it attached to the entire skull, tension can hold it more in place. I know people who have put a board inbetween them to reduce inside spread shrink but I dont think its legal if this is something you plan on getting scored.

Boil the head in an old pot, remove the soft tissue and let'er dry.


-DallanC

Ok, Thanks.....It's too late not to cut it as I took it to the taxidermist the night I got it. It won't make Boone & Crockett anyway. He's a beautiful buck but he only scores 148.5" with his broken tines.......even if he didn't break them he would haved only been 159". And that's before drying.

HOLY COW do you look like a buddy of mine named Joe.

Thanks again,
Kevin