illini3023

I had given a friend of mine the bucks that I and my son had shot last year,he had a friend who was wanting to start learning taxidermy and needed some to start with.After finaly tracking them down this month I find they have never been skinned out and are still in a freezer.How long are the hides good if they have been kept frozen?Or will I have to buy new hides when I take them to someone else to be mounted?Thanks for any advice given,,,,,,,,,,,

M.Magis

Should be fine.

excalibur43

I never leave them in the freezer more than 3 months. If they get freezer burned, they are a bear to get skinned out, but that's my personal preference. It doesn't mean they are ruined, it just makes it alot more difficult to work with and get quality results.

M.Magis

A little Stop Rot will fix up minor freezer burn in no time. It'll fix up major freezer burn as well, but takes a while.

excalibur43

So will plain old water, but getting them skinned out is the real bear.

M.Magis

Good point. I inject and let soak before skinning.

excalibur43

I just prefer to skin them before they get freezer burned. That's why I won't attempt to mount any that has been in the freezer for more than 3 months.