Grizzly Rug Falling Apart

[James M]

Here is my advice to anyone wanting to get something mounted. Don't take it to a drunken lunatic like my dad did in 1994 because they're the only taxidermist around. Drive 8 hours to a reputable taxidermist if that's what you have to do to get something that will last. The claws are ROTTING off of his rug 20 years later. The one back claw was laying on the floor and when I gently lifted the front foot, another claw fell right off.

http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo8/urban_samsquanch/2claws_zps09610145.jpg

http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo8/urban_samsquanch/Backfoot_zps992ac8a3.jpg

http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo8/urban_samsquanch/Frontfoot_zps79f182f5.jpg

[Bugle M In]

thanks for posting that, goes to show what can happen...

Only solution I have for you is to go out and shoot another Grizz!!

[gutpile]

I had a blackbear hide for over 10 years, than i took it down stairs and hanged it up in
my rec room beside the laundry room door. and over a years it keeped getting moled
on the back of it. than finally i through it out, it was all recked.
The problem was mostures from the laundry room .

[hunting2014]

Sounds like wasn't properly tanned.

[boxhitch]

or not properly cared for in the field . Feet are hard to deal with , and if left too long , well then its too late.

[Jagermeister]

may be ya got som car pet beatls snakn.

[James M]

or not properly cared for in the field . Feet are hard to deal with , and if left too long , well then its too late.

I almost wish that was the case so I couldn't point blame at someone else. But this particular taxidermist has a massive list of butchered mounts and pissed off customers.

[Fullcurled4point]

Any names?

[srupp]

Hmmm did this Taxidermist do his own tanning? Seems a properly tanned hide should last way beyond 10 years...some of the hides Ive had done are still going strong sfter 30 plus years...
Most taxidermists Ive delt with send all the hides out for tanning..
That sux..
Srupp

[Jagermeister]

This link show an image of a little beetle. It is a dermestid that is quite common. It is not that large, measures usually a ¼" or less. The larvae is about the same in size. The damage to the hide you posted looks similar to other hides that I've seen that was done by that little beetle.
I dropped a crow a few weeks back and left it outside in a dry place. Wanted a skeleton and to see who would show up. Of course the flies and their maggots were on the scene, but the dermestid with his prodigy were right behind. It's still a work in progress.

http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.zin.ru/animalia/coleoptera/images/foto/dermestes_sstr_lardarius_l.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.zin.ru/animalia/coleoptera/eng/derlarkm.htm&h=306&w=165&tbnid=BNWBCUxoLt_maM:&zoom=1&tbnh=186&tbnw=100&usg=__chjHVRXyqPgwnqxpcXx4ERYeg8o=&docid=ZeaK8s2RvjyduM&itg=1&sa=X&ei=RTULVKmwLM6VjAKLuIG4CQ&sqi=2&ved=0CJMBEPwdMAo

[Lucky77_]

I've seen this in my hides as well, a black bear from 20 yrs back that is doing this and a cat hide from 10 yrs back. The hide literally tears and comes apart . On the bear it started at the feet and has continued up the legs. I cut it back hoping it was something in the hide that was spreading, but it continued. Both just had a basic tan done to them. Different tanners for each . Been wanting to post it as well and ask ant taxidermists or tanners what is wrong.

[Clint_S]

I posted earlier this spring about the same thing happening to my wolverine which was 14 years old. It was done by a reputable tannery.
I believe the hides weren't properly degreased after tanning.

[tigrr]

Save 10 moose go shoot another one.
Some moths lay their eggs on leather/fur. Their larva might be the culprit.

[James M]

Taxidermist was Lorne McArthur at Echoglen Taxidermy in Red Deer, AB. I haven't seen any beetles but doesn't mean they're not there. It's definitely a piss off but I'm glad all of my rugs and mounts were done by other taxidermists.

[Jagermeister]

Taxidermist was Lorne McArthur at Echoglen Taxidermy in Red Deer, AB. I haven't seen any beetles but doesn't mean they're not there. It's definitely a piss off but I'm glad all of my rugs and mounts were done by other taxidermists.
Make sure you do a good inspection of your other trophies. If you have them, you want to nip them in the bud before they get too carried away if they are present.