How much shrinkage is normal for kudu horns. Just got the shipment in from last years safari. One of the kudu measured 55 inches when we killed it. I was there and saw it measured. It now measures about 50 inches. The one I killed measured 51 and is now about 50. I expect about an inch but not five. I have matched the 55 incher to the photos and am sure it is the same horns, but I just can't believe it lost that much. Anybody else ever seen this much shrinkage.
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FOR THE LOSS OF SOFT PEDICULE?
5 inches is way to much. I have had mid 50's shrink 2 inches no more even when they have been over boiled. I have also seen some pretty trickey measurements taken in Africa, especially South Africa. I would guess the 55 incher was really a 52 or 53 incher in the field.
As for the soft pedicule, a 55 incher would not have much there to loose or to measure as extra, maybe 1/4" to 1/2" max.
Sounds like typical African dealings to me, seen it many times. Its kinda like the bear guides killing all those 7 ft black bears and 10 and 11 foot browns, just exagerated measurements, it makes the guides look good.
I actually helped to measure it. I have a 59 incher in shop right now that is only 57 1\2 now but still, I can except a inch and a half loss, but this five inches has me baffled.
done this hundreds of times. a 55 " kudu dried will be about 54"
if it is 50" now it is not your kudu.
that had his horns switched. He scratched his horn to be sure to get the right ones back and they didn't send him his. 5 inches is too much, probably switched.