Bear hide

[exv]

I just just pulled my first bear hide out of the freezer from the fall. Didn't have enough time due to work to get him done up before winter so he went in the freezer.

When I skinned the bear out I let the hide cool over night (almost froze that night), folded skin to skin early morning, rolled him up into a bundle with his head on top and put him in the freezer that morning.

Questions is, I've had him thawing for almost 24hrs on top a milk crate to circulate air all around. His chin is still frozen down to the hide. If I hang him up from the head to let him "unroll" as he thaws will that cause fur damage?. Im nervouse that he is so well insulated the fur in the center will take to long to thaw if I leave him bundled up on the milk crate.

Any tips on how you've thawed a frozen rolled up bear hide?.

[45freezer]

Are you planning on tanning it yourself or bringing it to a taxidermist? If you're bringing it in just leave it frozen, they probably won't start working on it right away anyway. If you're thawing it to skin out the face and paws just thaw it in a cool place, it won't start developing bacteria right away...I doubt hanging it and letting it thaw would have any negative effects, I'm no expert but I definitely didn't baby my first bear hide and got it rugged up with no issues.

[exv]

Are you planning on tanning it yourself or bringing it to a taxidermist? If you're bringing it in just leave it frozen, they probably won't start working on it right away anyway. If you're thawing it to skin out the face and paws just thaw it in a cool place, it won't start developing bacteria right away...I doubt hanging it and letting it thaw would have any negative effects, I'm no expert but I definitely didn't baby my first bear hide and got it rugged up with no issues.

I plan on tanning it myself, going to skin out paws and face for taxidermy. I was taught by a trapper so I've handled a little bit of fur, never a bear though. I don't expect it to be perfect, just try and do my best. I already know what I can do better on the next one.

Always learning.

Thanks

[boxhitch]

good on you for rolling it up with the head to the outside
hanging won't hurt the hair at all, it is not brittle. There may be folds in the hair, not a problem

[exv]

good on you for rolling it up with the head to the outside
hanging won't hurt the hair at all, it is not brittle. There may be folds in the hair, not a problem

Thanks, after this cup of coffee in going to the shed and taking a look. Probly end up hanging it for the afternoon .. supposed to warm up nicely.

[45freezer]

I plan on tanning it myself, going to skin out paws and face for taxidermy. I was taught by a trapper so I've handled a little bit of fur, never a bear though. I don't expect it to be perfect, just try and do my best. I already know what I can do better on the next one.

Always learning.

Thanks

Best of luck, let us know how it goes!

[Huevos]

If it is still a bit frozen, don't be afraid to tug on it. Just be careful not to pull out the hair. Once you get it started, just keep working it open so it will thaw faster. I was thinking about pulling some of the kids bears out from last season. got to make room for this spring!

[exv]

If it is still a bit frozen, don't be afraid to tug on it. Just be careful not to pull out the hair. Once you get it started, just keep working it open so it will thaw faster. I was thinking about pulling some of the kids bears out from last season. got to make room for this spring!

Yes this is exactly what I did. I hung him up and between working the hide by hand and gravity doing it's job he was rolled out in a couple hours without pulling hair. Worked well, thanks.

[barongan]

good on you for rolling it up with the head to the outside
hanging won't hurt the hair at all, it is not brittle. There may be folds in the hair, not a problem

nice advice