Not long ago I got my first deer (which was a doe) and I would like to save part of it, perhaps as a memory.

Being that it's only a doe, I don't really want to spend $300-$500 for a shoulder mount.

My senile grandfather suggested having the butcher cut off the hooves and mounting them on to a plaque, such as to make a gun rack or arrow holder. He said all you have to do it dip the ends of them in salt, and they'll be fine. Keep in mind this is the same senile grandfather that cut off a squirrel tail and dipped it in salt, which made it look quite disgusting.

Has anyone heard of doing this?