finally brought home my Flat tanned Lion Skin only to find half the amount of whiskers and no Dew claws.
Not sure how to prevent this happening other than pulling out the claws while still in camp?

Whiskers suffer from handling. Considering the long path that poor thing has traveled since it hit the groud, it is a wonder it has any.

The dew claws probably got swipped. (Tell me it ain't so!).

Sorry about your misfortunes OZ. I am not sure of importation regulations in Australia but I know that brining claws back from a leopard while entering the states could cause a problem. The way our wildlife laws here are set up the government can sieze any of them under the assumption they are leopard or any other CITES listed animals. I do think it is important for traveling hunters bring this up to thier outfitters, PHS, etc., and I do think someone with the company you used should do something to show you he will try and make this right.

Wet tanning takes care of the missing whisker problem but suspect your claws were stolen.

John