A Pedestal Project for a Sable

I’ve always enjoyed combining two hobbies - in this case, woodworking and hunting. Well, hunting is WAY beyond a hobby, but you get the idea. I recently received a sable mount from a hunt we did in the summer of 2024. The guys in Africa did a great job and it seemed appropriate to build something nice to support the prince of Africa.

Finding the right shape and style took a bit of thinking. I took inspiration from these two photos I stole from the internet:





I then drew up some plans, decided to do the pedestal out of cherry to offset the dark hide of the sable, and went lumber shopping. Fortunately, we have a great local supplier that usually has plenty of nice 3/4” rough-sawn hardwood boards in stock. After a bit of work with the jointer and planer to get dimensioned pieces, it was time to get to work. The pyramid shape required a bit of math, angles, and thinking about how to go about it. Everything is based off of a 10 degree angle.

Assembling the basic frames was easy, but connecting the four of them precisely together required more arms than I had, so I had to make a jig to hold it all in place long enough to get some screws in. I’ll spare you the details. It finally started to take shape:



The center panels were added next:



And then some trim. Cutting and assembling these also took a bit of thought.



Of course, the best part is when the finish goes on and the grain and color of the wood really pops:





The lacquer needs a little sanding and another coat or two. Once all of that cures in a few days, I’ll put the sable up top and share some “done” photos.

One thing I learned for sure is that if my income depended on woodworking, trips to Africa would go away pretty quickly. Good thing I have a day job.

Looks amazing! Really like the design. I’m in the process of working on one for my buff. Mine is primarily metal because I’m terrible with woodworking!

Looks GREAT!!

I've made 8 pedestals, all out of cherry wood, for some of my mounts, but they are all vertical hexagons and octagons. I made panels in the sides of the pedestals for my Sables and Zebra mounts and filled the panels with the hides of the backskins.

BryceM said:

The pyramid shape required a bit of math, angles, and thinking about how to go about it. Everything is based off of a 10 degree angle.

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Looks like it turned out very nicely! I guess all those high school geometry classes finally paid off.

Be sure to post the completed product once you get the sable mounted on top.

That cherry will look great in contrast to the sable’s dark hide. Very nice workmanship, and kudos for making it yourself! I like that the paneling detail is “proud” of the actual pedestal. Looks great.

Looks great, can’t wait to see the sable on the pedestal!

@buffybr, those look fantastic.

So, it warmed up a little here today and the lacquer dried pretty quickly. I’m not sure if I like the rotation but that’s easy to change later.

Here he is in his new home.





As the cherry ages, it will deepen in color to a richer dark red color. Takes a couple years. Wonderful wood to work with.

What are the dimensions? Great work!

Very nice - and that Sable is an outstanding mount and trophy - congrats

That turned out great! Figuring all those angles is a beech, been there done that.

Well done! Nice looking kudu mount also!

That looks great!

OUTSTANDING!!
I wish I had seen yours a few years earlier.

I am looking to do an Axis deer hunt....

@Llano Estacado

The base is 20" per side. The top of the trapezoid part is 8" per side. The trapezoid is 34" high, which I set to put the eye of the sable even with the eye height of a 5'10" person. It works out to almost exactly 10 degrees. The top plate is 11"x11".

Looks awesome. Great sable and execution!

samson7x said:

Looks amazing! Really like the design. I’m in the process of working on one for my buff. Mine is primarily metal because I’m terrible with woodworking!

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I am with you! I like filling gaps with a bead. . I have a 100 plus year old riveted container from India my wife bought years ago and I modified it for a buffalo mount. It is at my taxidermists shop now. I will either love it or hate it. Time will tell!

Nice work. Getting the angles right and measuring a bunch of times to get it right before you cut.

Very nice. I've often thought if someone wanted to pay for some more hunts, they could offer custom wood pedestals to hunters. We need more craftsmen!

RR 314 said:

I am with you! I like filling gaps with a bead. . I have a 100 plus year old riveted container from India my wife bought years ago and I modified it for a buffalo mount. It is at my taxidermists shop now. I will either love it or hate it. Time will tell!

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That sounds intriguing. I hope you post photos of it. I don't think I've ever seen photos of one like that.

BryceM said:

@buffybr, those look fantastic.

So, it warmed up a little here today and the lacquer dried pretty quickly. I’m not sure if I like the rotation but that’s easy to change later.

Here he is in his new home.

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As the cherry ages, it will deepen in color to a richer dark red color. Takes a couple years. Wonderful wood to work with.

Click to expand...

that is stunning!!!