Quick Ivory Removal

ronaldo · Nov 8, 2006

I took a bull's head and rack into a taxidermist to have the cape fleshed out and asked him to also remove the ivories. He asked if I was one of those guys who takes his knife and wedges it into the gums to try to essentially cut out the ivories. I replied that indeed that was my approach and I spent considerable time and swearing doing the task. He took a wooden block about 8 inches long and 1/2 inch square, placed one end on the front of the ivory, rapped the end of the wood with a hammer in a direction parallel to the gum line and out came the ivory in perfect condition. After doing the second one the same way and with the same ease, he said he'd never damaged an ivory doing it that way. As long as one has access to a solid piece of comparably sized wood and something to rap it with, It seems like this approach could be used in the field.

elkfreak · Nov 8, 2006

That is the only way to get a quick and clean Ivory. After removal I let them soak in water for a while, wipe off and then put them in my pocket with some quarters and nickels. That gives them a good shine.

Flatlandr · Nov 8, 2006

Thanks ronaldo, hopefully next year I will get the chance to use that approach.

sremim · Nov 8, 2006

Yep, I found out about that two years ago. It works great.

It's Bush's fault!!!

BlackTimber · Nov 8, 2006

I "cut" my 1st ones out then I found out about this method a fews year back and that is how I do it now. Very slick and easy.

Dub · Nov 8, 2006

Works well, but be careful in the field, sometimes it goes flying, and can be hard to find.

Dub

proutdoors · Nov 8, 2006

I dont usually have a 2X4 and hammer with me in the field but I'll try and remember that. I had a taxidermist show me this trick about five years ago.

BRI · Nov 8, 2006

I saw this done 6 years ago. I can't believe it took me 13 elk before someone showed me this slick way. In the field, a rock and stick work just fine.

crazyelk · Nov 8, 2006

I don't know how many ivories I've broke or scratched up before a neighbor showed me this exact trick. Works like a charm. Just be careful not to hit them too hard as to send them to the back of the throat of the bull. Then you will be doing some serious digging. Another way to prevent this is to not tilt the head back when doing this. Other than that, pretty cool stuff. I hope all of you will have the opportunity to show this to other elk hunters in the years to come.

NoDoe · Nov 8, 2006

I am not sure I understand in what direction you tap the ivory.Do you drive it from the outside inward?

Thanks Don

ronaldo · Nov 9, 2006

Generally, one would be working with the complete head. As such you would be driving the ivory from the outside (front of nose) inward (toward throat) in order to drive it parallel with what we would think of as the gum line.