Hickory Tree Buck Rub ???

[bowentaxidermy]

THis past weekend my Dad shot a buck.  Before he shot it, the buck went and shreaded a Hickory tree that he apparently had been working on.  When we went and got the buck, I told my Dad it would look really neat mounted by the tree so he was going to go back and cut it down.

What should I do to make sure it keeps good??

Do you seal the ends or ??

Thanks CB

[Sikk]

I mounted a life size fox with a buck rub 3 years ago. I cut the rub in February ( N.Illinois) when the tree was dormant. I let it dry in the shop . After it was dry I coated the entire sapling with Modge Podge, 2-3 coats. Still looks great today. Although the rubbed bark, while still curled and still maintains the shape of a fresh rub,  does look dried out and not sappy green-fresh, like a freshly rubbed bark. But I'm sure you could paint the dried rub with good reference to make it look fresh. The problem i see is Hickory bark has a very flat look, no sheen, even a flat or satin finish product will add some sheen to it, so you may not be able to seal it with out making it look unnatural. good luck, paul