To remove the claws "Do NOT use pliers" it will scratch/damage them. Take a sharp, thin bladed knife in one and and a claw in the other. Pull it out a bit and cut about a half inch above the point that the claw and skin meet. Cut straight down, then in a "S" curve to remove from foot. You will have a claw with a pad and some hair attached. Remove all claws and place them in a plastic bag with Borax. Shake and set aside to cure. After they are dry you can take a sharp knife and remove the hair and pad. Do not remove too much of the rawhide at the top of the knuckle or your claw will come apart. If it comes apart you can use epoxy to re-attach..

I do not reccomend boiling unless you are sure it will not need to be measured for a record book or if you do not have time to finish the project. Boiling not only shrinks the skull but will weaken it as well crack the teeth. If you boil or use bugs you will need to remove all flesh, eyes, brain before any process is started. There are many sites on the net that will tell you how to go about these processes.