Freezer burned deer

A guy brought me a deer that had been in his freezer for two years.It was the whole head,The forehead was extreme freezer burned.To the point of really no membrane between flesh and skin.It sorta looked like those white dog chews and just as hard!Is there anyway to fix the dried out forehead?Because when I go to sew it Im not sure a needle will even go thru it!I tried soaking it in salt water and its nearly impossible to flesh that and surrounding areas.So any help would be appreciated.Ridgerunner

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I tell them no way!

Jason,
I do not except these heads anymore.... they are not worth the hassle, they usually cause you to do a lot more work than they are worth and then you are taking chances on everything working out and looking good! You sign your name actually on every piece you turn out..... no use taking extra chances on work that may not be up to par. Usually these guys are not willing to pay you extra, in fact by the time you figure out that it will not work, you have a head you must cut the horns off, chisel the dried hide off and etc....for free so you can have freezer space. It takes a while to learn to say no, I have turned out several of these and never made a dime on them. I finally asked a guy why he drove so far for my work, he said he heard about my work......... but he found out I was a sucker and worked for free when I was young and dumb at taxidermy! Just learn to refuse poor specimans or people who want to use you! You will have plenty of other opportunities to learn as you go! Have fun, I do!
God Bless,
Dave in S.D.

Jason

There is not much flesh on the forehead of a deer. Their scalp is thick. It needs to shaved down so that you can sew it. I have done more than I like to say deer that have been in a freezer for over two years. Yes they can be difficult but will mount up just fine.

If the hide is burnt to the head inject with warm water with some bactericide in it. This will rehydrate the area so that you can finish.

They may take two years to pick up the finished mount too!

Something else to consider, some people who've waited two years to deliver their animal may take two years to come to pick it up also!
Another good reason for getting a very substantial 'deposit' on your work. IMHO