Mule deer salivary glands needed for research on mule deer digestion

[elkboy]

Dear Hunt-WA community- Elkboy here, with hat in hand, with a request for you all with mule deer hunting plans. We here at good old WSU are working on a research project involved with understanding mule deer digestion and nutrition. If any of you are willing to freeze a non-trophy head (buck or doe, where legal, of course) with about 3" of neck past the ear, until we can come cut out the salivary glands, we would greatly appreciate it. We have the appropriate state-level permits for possession of deer parts. Thanks for considering this request! PM me if you have questions.

[DOUBLELUNG]

A week late for my Wyoming buck, but I will be looking for a non-trophy 3 point minimum next weekend and if successful will save that for you.

[shallowforks]

Any way with a bit of explanation we could get the gland out and freeze it so that we can still do a euro or whatever? Or do you take the whole head with you?

[yakimanoob]

Any way with a bit of explanation we could get the gland out and freeze it so that we can still do a euro or whatever? Or do you take the whole head with you?

Or, if the rigor of science requires your team to remove the glands, would we get the head back after you're done? 

(I'll be sure and PM you if I get an animal on the ground!  Thanks for letting us know this study is going on). 

[elkboy]

Of course you can get the skull back if you are going to do a Euro!  The skull is unaffected by the removal of the glands.  My graduate student just took a nice whitetail buck in muzzleloader season, and the student involved in this work removed the glands the next day.  That skull is now simmering away in hot water.

[elkboy]

By the way, thank you all for the positive response.  It is gratifying that the hunting community is so willing to help with deer-related research. Have a great weekend, everyone, and best of luck to the modern firearm crowd!

[shallowforks]

Im in spokane, I could just drive it down to pullman for you??

[StoneTrees]

Always willing to support scientific inquiry.  Should I be so lucky as to get a buck, you'll have it's head.


That sounds so awful.   

[elkboy]

YakimaNoob, thank you! And Shallowforks, thank you so much! We could always meet up at some place with good beverages.

StoneTrees, thank you! (And yes, it does sound a little bit out of 'Game of Thrones' or something!  )

[Caseyd]

Head has to be delivered to Pullman?

[elkboy]

We can drive at least a 100 mile radius to come pick up, possibly further if there are other samples to be picked up. Thanks, CaseyD!