I'm on a hunt in Kendall county and I keep seeing a 34/35 inch buck in velvet. I don't
like the way a mount looks in velvet though. Can a taxi strip the velvet and stain the horns to look natural or should I keep looking for one that is hard horned?

Depending on how soft the antler is underneath the velvet. If it has started to harden then the velvet can be stripped and the antlers can be stained to a natural look. The tips may still be porous though and might have to be rebuild regardless. All this will cost you extra no matter whether the velvet is preserved or stripped. If you absolutely want this buck and don't care about extra charges take him. If you want to budget yourself take one in hard antlers.

Also if you decide on the velvet buck remember that the velvet antlers can spoil very easily and either will have to be frozen as soon as possible or take him to a taxidermist within 24 hours but keep the antlers cold and dry like you would the hide.