Saturday I killed a really nice buck. It has the most unique hooves that I have ever seen. They have white stripes on one side. On the other side one is white and the other is black. I have used the orange search button and not found much to help me. Is there a good technique for saving these hooves for a gun mount or do I need to buy the leg/hoove forms that are available and paint them to match?
Stacey
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There's no easy way, or no shortcuts about it. They need to be skinned out, tanned, and then put on a form. After all that, polish the hoofs on a bench grinder with a polishing wheel, use with three different rouge' Heavy, then medium, then go to the fine. The hoof's will look like jewels when your finished.
Coyote
tell them how you want them posed, and send them to a freeze-drier. It's probably more expensive, but it's an option.
I have not found it necessary to do either of the above responses that you have received so far. I just cut the legs square at the desired length. Mount them on a piece of plywood at the desired 90 degree ange and hold into this position with nails (not into the foot!...just tightly beside to hold into position. Let dry for several weeks. I have done this since the 90's with a couple sets and have had absolutely no problem. No odor, no bugs etc. Its suprising what you "don't" have to do! Maybe I have just gotten lucky with this simple approach. Anyone else tried this?