Taxidermy Donations
Our display and storage space is limited. We typically decline mounted heads/racks of large game animals and full-body mounts of cougars. We are more likely to accept donations of tanned pelts or mounts of smaller animals because they are easier to store. If you have an item that is in good shape and within the scope of the museum, email the curator at connermuseum@wsu.edu.
If we accept a taxidermy mount or pelt, the donation can be claimed as a tax deduction, however, the donor can only deduct the cost of the taxidermy for the specimen. The value of the donation cannot include the cost of the hunting trip to obtain it, storage or cleaning costs, etc.
Salvage/Vouchers
One of the primary ways that we grow the research collection is through salvage. Salvage animals are ones that are found dead, such as roadkill or window strikes. These specimen are brought to us from wildlife rehabilitators, government officials, and the general public. We have state and federal permits that allow us to legally acquire these specimen.
If you encounter a dead animal that you would like to donate, contact a staff member so we can confirm if we are able to take it. Please record the date, location and circumstances where the specimen was found – the more data you provide, the more scientifically valuable the specimen! Double-bag the specimen in Ziploc bags and keep frozen. Dead wildlife can carry harmful pathogens – please take precautions such as wearing gloves and washing your hands after handling a dead animal. For more information on wildlife diseases in Washington, see here: WDFW Wildlife Diseases.
For inquiries about donating vouchers from scientific research projects, please contact connermuseum@wsu.edu.