Step by Step Mounting Deer Feet

The mounting of deer feet is one job I hate!!
Finding the time to skin and mount the feet was always a chore, and a undesirable task. Freeze dried deer feet have eliminated that problem. The feet can be finished and mounted in less time than it takes to skin out one deer foot, and the cost is less when you figure the labor to mount two deer feet.

click here for supplies for mounting deer feet

Step 2

Clean tape residue, dirt etc off the hooves with acetone or lacquer thinner. For an added touch, hooves can be scraped with a knife to remove more of the dark color and reveal more clear hoof on the edges.

Step 3

Measure 21/2 inches from the dew claws and mark with masking tape. Excess leg will now be removed (sawed off). A band saw works great however a bone saw or hack saw will also work. Be careful to make the cut square.

Step 4

After cutting the excess leg bone off, the bone marrow must be removed from the leg bone. Use a 1/4 inch drill bit and a drill, move in and out to remove as much of the marrow as possible. The marrow is essentially oil and will not freeze dry.

Step 5

After removing a much as possible with the drill, use a pipe cleaner soaked in acetone or lacquer thinner to scrub out any remaining marrow. Small modeling tools also work well to scrape any remaining marrow out of the bone.

Step 6

After cleaning the marrow from the bone, The two feet are now ready to insert wood strips into the core. The wood strips will hold fast to a screw when inserted later.

Step 7

Use pop sickle sticks by breaking them in half length wise. Insert the broken stick into the core and tap it all the way in. Trim off any excess. Put as many sticks in the opening as possible without over stressing the bone.

Step 8

Sticks inserted into the marrow canal and ready to receive the screw.

Step 9

Select the proper size foot ferrule and trial fit.

Step 10

Using HM-200 Gloss topcoat, put a thin layer of gloss on the hoof and dew claws and allow to dry. The hooves can be scraped with the edge of a knife before applying the gloss for a cleaner, smoother effect, if desired.

Step 11

Pre-drill the hole for the 3 inch drywall screw which will be used to attach the feet to the panel. A counter sink hole can also be drilled on the opposite side for the head of the dry wall screw.

Step 12

Use 3 inch drywall screw to attach the feet securely to the panel.