deer hoove tutorial

[rnviper3]

i have seen questions here about how to clean out deer hooves.  i one time ask the same questions here myself.  i know pictures make it a lot easier, so i took some while i did my last one and decided to share it here.  i hope this helps those who need it.  sorry for having to post this 2 pictures at a time.  i don't know know others do it in one post. 

picture 1.  split the leg up the back side of the leg to the dew claws.
Picture 2.  start skinning up the dew claw. 

[rnviper3]

picture 3.   find the last joint.  this is the knuckle.
picture 4.  detach the dew claw.

[rnviper3]

picture 5.  make a cut where the skin meets the Hoof.
picture 6.  i use my scalpo to work up inside the hoof.  cut all the way around the inside of the hoof trying to get to the last joint.

[rnviper3]

picture 7.  find the last knuckle.
picture 8.  remove the knuckle.

[rnviper3]

picture 9.  this is what it looks like when its done.  just finish cleaning out the meat and fat and your done.  if you have trouble with it slipping in your hands as your skinning, put some borax on it for a little grip.  i hope this helps those who have a hard time picturing it. 
bob

[Michelle Nelson's Taxidermy]

Thanks.  I just skinned out an elk foot and was begining to wonder if I had actually gotten it down to the last knuckle.  Looks like I did!

[rnviper3]

i use the same process on elk and caribou

[Dennis Bragg]

Thanks for posting. Have a lifesize ( first one ) to do soon and will be doing this for the first time. Black buck, looking forward to the challange.

[Bakes]

Besides cleaning out the meat and such, is there anything else you have to do to treat the hoof?

[Nina]

Nice tutorial....did you remove the hoof bones inside the toes? Those are tricky, but it's easier to get them out if you make a cut down the middle of the bottom of the hoof. That way when you mount the skin you can just cover up where you sliced with Apoxie sculpt and texture them.

[rnviper3]

Nina, there is still a triangular shaped bone in the very tip of the hoof.  yes you could take them out, but it really isn't all that important if you clean it out real good, then tan good or DP very good.  bakes does this answer your question.

[Edgewater Taxidermy Galen]

 If anyone ever wants any feet Freeze-dried let me know we do tons of them.    {10.00 Each,,,, white tail,,,,,, .  larger feet a bit more }.   All you have to do is put in your ready rod or what ever you are going to use when you get them back. Pretty easy. 


  Always call b4 you ship anything to us for shipping instructions as well as our New Address.    And  ship only on a Monday. Preferably UPS.
 
  Have a good one.

 Galen Getting
 Edgewater Taxidermy N.



 Hibbing Minnesota


218-263-7177

Central time zone, let is ring till you get to us or our voice mail after 8 rings.
It will be forwarded to my cell phone if I am out of the shop for any reason.

[Liz]

Nina, there is still a triangular shaped bone in the very tip of the hoof.  yes you could take them out, but it really isn't all that important if you clean it out real good, then tan good or DP very good.  bakes does this answer your question.

I am new to taxidermy and was wondering what DP is? I lovethe idea of preserving a leg, i saw one with a thermometer mounted on it once and thought it was beautiful.

[rnviper3]

DP Is dry preservative.  Beware of asking about the difference of that and tanning.  Either works good if its cleaned out good.  You can get it from any supplier, but I like the one from WASCO the best. 

[tem]

thanks. it helped me out also.