While I've never extracted brains for food, I have boiled and cleaned skulls. I'd probably use a bone saw or hack saw to cut open the skull instead of a hatchet. I'd also skin the doe head first. That might make it easier for you since it will then look less like a soft&furry bambi. Of course, the eyes will be bulging out, so maybe that would make it worse. I'm not at all squeamish so I can't make that call. Anyway, if you want to see a very interesting procedure, you should watch a hippo being butchered... (Hippos are delicious, BTW :) Julie