yes that is how I do mine, cut it off above the spur and below, as close to the same length as possible. Then peel the skin and hollow out the bone. Then a tip from the Preacher was let it soak in peroxide, careful not to touch the skin and let it whiten up and get the blood residue off. Then another secret the Preacher taught me, was to add a touch of clear nail polish. It preserves the skin and keeps it from drying out and maybe falling off........ and for my few it brings out individual characteristics in each set.