we all know that a bucks antlers shrink as they dry after you shoot them; hence the 60 day drying period.

however, do antlers begin drying as soon as the velvet is shed? as soon as the velvet is dead, and there is no blood running to the antlers anymore, wouldn't they start shrinking while still on the head of the deer?

That's a very good question!...and one I haven't thought of...until now! I'll be checking this later for an answer.

how much do they actually shrink after you shoot them anyway?

LOL I have been hunting for years and seen alot of big racks. What a good question???

Ok my answer. I would say they start drying when the skull bone is exposed. This is when the moisture can actually dry up. If you see a buck that has just droped his antlers the location looks like blood right after. This to me would mean the moisture cant escape from the rack.

My guess anyways

I actually have a set of roadkill spike or forkhorn antlers that are in velvet in my freezer. Wonder if I could do an experement.