Coyote habitat question

[WillinghamsTaxidermy]

I'm going to mount a coyote for a competition (FL state), and I was thinking for the habitat I'd do some sort of western desert scene. I pretty much know how I want it to look, but I was wondering what would be the best way to make the base appear sandy? I've heard you can mix real sand with elmer's glue and spread that on the base, but has anyone actually tried that, and if so does it look natural enough for a competition piece? 
I'll be entering this mount in both the lifesize mammals and habitat divisions, so I'd like to make the habitat look as natural as possible. Thanks for any advice or ideas I can get.

[Redwolf]

This might help.

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,40052.0.html