First bear... Rug or no rug?

I got my first big game animal this spring which was a black bear and it's not a big boar or anything, just an average bear. Before the hunt I was dead set on doing a rug so I salted and froze the hide. Now that I'm thinking about it, I'm wondering if I should just keep the skull and wait for an older boar. I really only plan on doing 1 rug since they aren't cheap. How many of you guys got your first black bear turned into a rug and do you wish you would of waited for an older one? Thanks in advance.

I wouldnt do a small bear, Do a shoulder mount

Congrats, I did a bear 20 years ago and sits in my attic space since then, wife likes hunting but the look of that in a residential house, not a chance. Anyone wants a pro done rug, it will be cheap!

I've never regretted not getting one done...

Can always have it tanned and then rug or mount it later.

Gotta get your first one rugged. I got my first done and it wasn’t anything close to a biggie. They look a little bigger when the taxidermist sews on the felt on the back of it.

If the hide is that good just tan the hide as suggested. Save your money till the right one comes along. Budget for $100/ft for tanning.

Never bothered with a rug either. I find the skulls much more appealing.

I don’t think you should freeze a hide if you’ve salted it. I’d wait for a bigger one.

I've had several bear hides tanned/rugged. Bear rugs are pretty impractical so I sort of regret them all. One is used in the dog bed. :)

But if you are going to get one and only one done to hang on your wall or something, then wait for the perfect one. A big bear with perfect fur.

If the hide is nice, just get it tanned and drape it over a couch or chair.

Wait for a big one for a rug.

Good idea to just get it tanned and hang it with a proper hanger by the nose
Pretty soon you will have a row of them like suits in a closet, maybe different colours, each with a story

I have a bunch of rugs on the wall (grizz, black, wolves) and now think to myself “what was I thinking”

would like to sell them now but wouldn’t know where to put them up

in my opinion, don’t bother.

First 2 average size Black Bears the little Wife shot, after having the Fur tanned she made them into a sexy looking Jacket keeping her warm on those -25C Winter Shopping days in Prince George. Helped her to be a Swiss trained professional Fur Seamstress.

Cheers

Hmm wait until you get a proper bear to get done up.average is not one to get rugged.IMO 6 feet 6 inches rug one.better yet 7 foot primo. .they are $$$ and take up lots of valuable wall space.
.02
Srupp

Provided the hide is decent at minimum tanned. I'm happy I got my first rugged, but I don't really have a good spot for it.

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Originally Posted by walker1985

I got my first big game animal this spring which was a black bear and it's not a big boar or anything, just an average bear. Before the hunt I was dead set on doing a rug so I salted and froze the hide. Now that I'm thinking about it, I'm wondering if I should just keep the skull and wait for an older boar. I really only plan on doing 1 rug since they aren't cheap. How many of you guys got your first black bear turned into a rug and do you wish you would of waited for an older one? Thanks in advance.

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I'd save your money, euro the skull and wait for a bigger bear...

I'd listen to Srupp and Harry Toolips

Keep the skull and the claws.
And wait till you get a big bear or go shouldar mount. Or go half a bear shouldar mount with the two front legs that is what we have and looks pretty nice. This was a bigger bear though.
Rugs are kind of nice but if you put them on the floor which we did you always walk in to the dam mouth and stub your toe.
Go and check out taxidermists work first.

I'm in the same place as yourself. I shot my first blackie this Spring too. I opted to have the bear made into a rug and I shipped it over to Ray Weins. It will take some time to get back, but I don't have any regrets at this time, even though it is rather expensive. You never forget your first bear and I think if you're debating it you should do it. It's around $2000.

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Originally Posted by Gateholio

I've had several bear hides tanned/rugged. Bear rugs are pretty impractical so I sort of regret them all. One is used in the dog bed. :)

But if you are going to get one and only one done to hang on your wall or something, then wait for the perfect one. A big bear with perfect fur.

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Just curious if any taxidermy could be considered "practical"??

I shot quiet a few bears over the years and waited until one was big enough. 6'4" Squared with lots of girth on this one. Made Boone & Crockett at 20 3/8". Glad i waited for a big one. Ended up putting it on the wall. Work was done by Ray Weins. Top notch guy and does great work. Would recommend Ray

https://i.imgur.com/9z4zkpz.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/g6ozFne.jpg

I just finished tanning my bear hide myself.
I'll post up my process which is the quick and cheap version. Good for beginners like myself.

Just like Mark I did mine myself. I has fun to learn the process. Important to stretch the hide.....like I neglected to do LOL. I'll probably get someone to do a color phase if I ever manage to find one.

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Originally Posted by 325

Just curious if any taxidermy could be considered "practical"??

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most i would say is for display..so if you cant display it due to room or other reasons I guess it would then be impractical even for that

whoops accidental double tap

Same boat as the OP. First big game animal, first year hunting etc. Ended up with a good sized boar this spring, but not a monster. Deliberated on the decision and decided to just get the skull done. Still waiting on the skull and have zero regrets. After a few months of reflection, I'm very happy with the decision to not go with a rug. I believe it would have ended up being stored and taking up space at my house.

I'd say, if your gonna hang it on the wall then heck ya go for it, I did my first bear as rug, and he was just under 6ft, he's been on my wall ever since, I love sitting in my lazy boy infront of the fireplace reminiscing of that hunt. However if you don't have the wall space I don't really see the point in having it rolled up and stored away,it's really personal preference, life's short enjoy it.

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Originally Posted by 325

Just curious if any taxidermy could be considered "practical"??

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Only when you use them for a bedspread. :)

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Originally Posted by mauser

I shot quiet a few bears over the years and waited until one was big enough. 6'4" Squared with lots of girth on this one. Made Boone & Crockett at 20 3/8". Glad i waited for a big one. Ended up putting it on the wall. Work was done by Ray Weins. Top notch guy and does great work. Would recommend Ray

https://i.imgur.com/9z4zkpz.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/g6ozFne.jpg

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Wow that is a beast!

Thanks for the input and replies guys, I think i'll do a euro mount with the claws and wait for that bigger boar. Mauser that's a monster bear you got!

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Originally Posted by walker1985

I got my first big game animal this spring which was a black bear and it's not a big boar or anything, just an average bear. Before the hunt I was dead set on doing a rug so I salted and froze the hide. Now that I'm thinking about it, I'm wondering if I should just keep the skull and wait for an older boar. I really only plan on doing 1 rug since they aren't cheap. How many of you guys got your first black bear turned into a rug and do you wish you would of waited for an older one? Thanks in advance.

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I had the same thinking. A rug is a bit of an investment so you want to do it with a worthy animal, IMHO. Personally, unless the hide is unique (cinnamon phase for example), I'd wait for a bear that is over 6 feet myself. My black bear rug is at 6'4". I knew as soon as I saw him that he was 'the one'. Skull was a 1/4" under B&C! You might want to consider just getting it tanned though, then you can get a rug down the road if you're so inclined. Pic of my rug with my daughter for size comparison.

https://i.imgur.com/cGJ8XsY.jpg

I got my first bear this year, and my second. I got a shoulder mount done and am super pumped to get it back next spring. I’m waiting on a colour phase for my first rug