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Post by goosepondmonster on Nov 21, 2011 20:38:30 GMT -5
I was wanting to make a lucky deer hoof to keep in my pocket. What would be the best way to preserve one of the hooves I have?
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Post by duff on Nov 21, 2011 21:56:13 GMT -5
Borax, I think it is mule team 20 or something like that. Should be able to find it in the laundry aisle. Coat the pieces with the moisture and and let it sit there for several days. Brush it off and clean it up how you want it.
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Post by goosepondmonster on Nov 22, 2011 12:14:05 GMT -5
I was wondering what the best point to cut it off would be and if I need to drill out the bone?
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Post by duff on Nov 22, 2011 15:47:09 GMT -5
The borax will soak into the bone and cure the bone, just let it keep working and you shouldn't have to drill anything out but if you want to make it lighter, maybe. I'd be afraid of making it too brittle.
Depends on how big you want the thing to be. If you really want to carry it in your pocket I don't imagine you would want it very big. You can cut them off at the joint but if you want it smaller than that I would hack it off where ever you want. If the end doesn't look good you can try cutting off the high brass off a 10 or 12 gage shotgun shell, punch out the spent primer and put a lanyard or something.
Post a picture when you are done.
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Post by goosepondmonster on Nov 22, 2011 19:29:17 GMT -5
I'll pick up some borax. Thanks duff.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2011 20:03:46 GMT -5
Your going to need to remove some meat before you can preserve it. My advice would be to let a taxidermist do it, but it can be done at home.
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Post by scrub-buster on Nov 26, 2011 0:33:36 GMT -5
I haven't tried this yet, but I have been told that if you stick just the hoof part in boiling water for a couple of minutes and then take some channel locks and pull on it, it will slip right off the foot and be clean inside.
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Post by Buck's Pro Mount Taxidermy on Dec 1, 2011 19:52:52 GMT -5
Do not put the hoof anywhere near boiling water, this is bad advice Unless you just want the hoof with no bone inside. The Borax is not bad if you just want to preserve it. I would remove the hoof at the joint right above it. If you do it correctly it will not be to hard to do. I would then bury it in Borax like mentioned. Borax will just be a topical solution and will not soak into bone. It will just act as a dessicant and dry out the skin and the very small amount of flesh underneath and will help bug proof it. If you have any questions feel free to drop me an e-mail at buckspromount@comcast.net
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Post by Buck's Pro Mount Taxidermy on Dec 1, 2011 19:53:57 GMT -5
Also I forgot to mention Duff is correct it is 20 Mule Team Borax and can be purchased at Wal-Mart in the laundry detergent aisle.
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Post by scrub-buster on Dec 4, 2011 19:31:07 GMT -5
I was talking about removing the hoof from the foot. I thought that was what he was wanting to do.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2011 20:06:12 GMT -5
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Post by goosepondmonster on Dec 5, 2011 15:38:10 GMT -5
I was wanting to do something like this...  Minus the base and all. I think the guy in the link was just trying to preserve the hoof. |
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Post by HillBillyJeff on Dec 5, 2011 18:57:13 GMT -5
If you want to go above the dew points and have it look good, I would have a taxidermist do it. I'm not sure how well mule team would preserve something that big. Unless you're going to skin it out down to the hoof, dry it, then stuff it with filler. Might need to inject formaldehyde into the last joint if you did that. Not sure though.
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Post by goosepondmonster on Dec 5, 2011 19:35:33 GMT -5
If you want to go above the dew points and have it look good, I would have a taxidermist do it. I'm not sure how well mule team would preserve something that big. Unless you're going to skin it out down to the hoof, dry it, then stuff it with filler. Might need to inject formaldehyde into the last joint if you did that. Not sure though. I called a local taxidermist and he didn't call me back. |
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Post by duff on Dec 5, 2011 20:40:02 GMT -5
Give it a shot, worse that happens is you get a rotten deer foot! I've preserved turkey, duck & goose wings with borax that have been good for over 10 years now. But they were never intended to be display pieces just for identification purposes but looked at a few the other day and they were fine.
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Post by Buck's Pro Mount Taxidermy on Dec 6, 2011 18:19:45 GMT -5
There is such a small amount of meat that the Borax will do if you want to do it yourself. But to do it right for something like the picture a taxidermist would be your best bet. I would reccomend freeze drying the foot which will keep it from shrinking and will preserve it forever. If you are interested give me a call chances are I will be here when you call if not I will call you back.
(317) 861-4783
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