Preserving deer heart for class

Submitted by Sharon Pierce on 11/16/05 at 6:20 PM. ( kevsharpi@cs.com ) 68.159.174.121

I am teaching a dissecting class for homeschoolers at the end of January. Could you tell me a safe, easy, & inexpensive way to preserve deer organs for a couple of months. Would rubbing alchol work? Thanks:)

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Sharon

This response submitted by Jeff S. on 11/16/05 at 6:39 PM. ( ) 12.152.253.164

I Have a heart from a doe I shot in the begining of Oct. that my daughters teacher wants for the same reason you do,she wants in Jan.,Good luck. Jeffery Smith


How about a ziplock baggie...

This response submitted by Craig on 11/16/05 at 6:56 PM. ( ) 66.66.236.195

and a freezer? Then just thaw it out before you dissect it. Worked for my kids.


How about a ziplock baggie

This response submitted by Sharon Pierce on 11/16/05 at 7:05 PM. ( ) 68.159.174.121

Craig, I was afraid it would be mush when we tried to cut it. Were you able to see the coronary arteries and veins ok? This is great if it is this simple. Thanks


DAH!

This response submitted by Jeff S. on 11/16/05 at 8:25 PM. ( ) 12.152.253.164

Sorry Sharon,
I forgot to say how I'm keeping it,In 2 Ziploc freezer bags,It should be fine when you thaw it out ,this is how she wanted me to keep it. She as done this in the past.


Try

This response submitted by Jeff S. on 11/16/05 at 8:29 PM. ( ) 12.152.253.164

Sharon,
Try taking it out of freezer and only let it thaw slightly it will be firm and easy to cut.


Sharon, you COULD pickle it

This response submitted by George on 11/16/05 at 10:32 PM. ( georoof@aol.com ) 152.163.100.133

And all that takes is some white vinegar. Old folks used to serve pickled deer heart as a delicacy. Not exactly my bag, but others liked it. Flush the heart of all blood and put it in a jar of vinegar. Then you can serve it after you dissect it. LOL.


Try

This response submitted by Sharon Pierce on 11/16/05 at 10:40 PM. ( ) 68.159.174.121

Thank you so much for the information. I am relieved how simple this is. Thanks for responding so quickly. I have been searching and this sites seemed to be wonderful at responding to questions. You guys are great!:-) Thanks again, Sharon


Methanol

This response submitted by Old Fart on 11/16/05 at 10:44 PM. ( ) 64.122.137.2

Methyl alcohol, avaiable in any Hardware store or Building Supply.


freezer is good

This response submitted by newbirman on 11/17/05 at 6:11 AM. ( ) 152.163.100.133

I put a lot of these in the freezer for my dogs to eat . Even after a few months they are still hard to cut up . Rick


Alcohol

This response submitted by R. Lee on 11/18/05 at 11:15 PM. ( ) 209.247.222.93

I had one I kept for years in rubbing alcohol - you can keep anything that way (believe me I have a huge 'jar collection' that with some stuff I've had since I was a kid). Just get a big butter tub (or pickle jar - anything big enough to hold the heart) and fill it with the heart and alcohol. Then, after it's dissected, you could still keep a half of it in the jar for display to show the interior structure. If you do plan to keep animal parts in jars like this for any length of time, be sure to check the alcohol levels occasionally - as it evaporates the specimin can decay if alcohol is not added to keep the jar full.


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