I'm leaning more towards fallow deer myself. it's the way that they are palmated that really speaks out. Have you talked to any wildlife biologists about this rack? it might be your best bet. I'm a biology major that hopes to specialize in game animal conservation and know a few people in the field that I can ask but it would be hard to tell from pictures. If your buddy can get that rack to some one that is well schooled in wildlife osteology they would probably be able to give you a much better idea of what it is.