i shot a squirrel in the middle of october/early november last year and didnt take it to the taxidermist till febuary...he didnt say a word about it except it was frozen....i didnt gut it or anything...sure he was ripe for the taxidermist!! but i guess thats better then my ripping it open cutting hair and everything....cant wait to get it back!!!! if sealed up good and everything it should last a good while....make sure it dont get frost bitten and make sure ice or anything like that doesnt touch it.....i had mine in a ton of bags in fear of ruining it...but he didnt say anything was bad about it and he was surprised it was that old......good luck