Velvet in December?

[brill16hockey]

My Uncle shot a buck the other day in full velvet!  Now I was pretty sure I read in a whitetail anatomy book that could happen if there was an injury to the testicles while it was still in velvet, and my uncle did say it had real small gonads so I'm guessing thats what happened.  I was wondering if anyone else has ever shot a buck in velvet this late in the year?  Also he wants to know how he can preserve the velvet on the rack?  Thank you for the input!

[Jim Keller]

There are 2 ways to preserve the velvet. One is to inject with formaldehyde( or preservit, which is safer). The other way is to have them freeze dried. In the mean time the rack needs to be frozen until it is taken care of. I would recommend having a taxidermist do it. I've done both and both work well if done properly.
  And to answer your first question. It is my understanding that testicle damage will do that.

[mwmwmb]

one thing to remember if working with formaldehyde, it is a carinogen so use in a well vented area and wear gloves

[lpcjon2]

Most formalin is now 10% buffered and you do need good ventilation and goggles it will irritate the nose and eyes. Formaldehyde is not used anymore. If you do it yourself and need to get dispose of the formalin I have powder that does deformalizes it.At the medical examiners office ware I work I use formalin every day ant it will preserve any type of tissue.

[Skipmaster1]

I shot a 7 pointer in full Velvet on Nov 23rd about 5 years ago. He had "damaged goods" and the local biologist said that was the cause.

[LKH]

I would bet the velvet is already dry and there is no blood flow in the antlers at this late date.  You can get some of the rub in stuff to ensure they are cured.  Saw 2 muleys in SD late October that had velvet.  One was complete and the other had flaws.  The complete one was a cactus buck.

[wingnut]

Going too be a cool mount!

Mike

[huntindad]

My wife shot a cactus buck in late oct.of 06 and the velvet was still full of blood so I would recommend a taxidermist as he will know how to drain the blood and then treat the tissue.Bill