Rackmastr's Mountain Grizz Lifesize Mount

[Rackmastr]

Hey Guys,

Got this guy finished up a few weeks ago, but havent really posted a pile of pics as I'm still finishing up some habitat and figuring out exactly what I'd like to add for 'foilage'. Was shot in the spring so am looking at some dandelion, ferns, and moss covered sticks, etc to use. For now its just a rock/moss/dirt base but wanted to share the pics of the bear at least.

I took a TON of pics of the entire process, shaving the bear down, mounting, habitat work, etc, etc. Was a lot of fun and a very cool project.

A mountain grizz was right up top on my list of wishes that drove me to move to BC. I still sometimes dont think I remember or believe that I made it happen, but I guess looking back at this guy for a long time should help remind me again and again!

Here is a link to my original hunting thread:
http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?95439-Rackmastr-s-Drizzly-Grizzly-Adventure!&highlight=drizzly

You'll have to excuse the giant mess of critters, horns in the background, etc. He's put in a place in my basement until my 2 year old can be trusted not to crawl on it before he'll be moved up into our main room in the front entrance. RIght now he sits jammed in between mounts and piles of horns, antlers, and skulls!

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/Rackmastr/IMG_7199_zps3bc9c519.jpg (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/Rackmastr/media/IMG_7199_zps3bc9c519.jpg.html)

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/Rackmastr/IMG_7196_zps33405220.jpg (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/Rackmastr/media/IMG_7196_zps33405220.jpg.html)

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/Rackmastr/IMG_6873_zps44756625.jpg (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/Rackmastr/media/IMG_6873_zps44756625.jpg.html)

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/Rackmastr/IMG_6872_zpsa58a927c.jpg (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/Rackmastr/media/IMG_6872_zpsa58a927c.jpg.html)

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/Rackmastr/IMG_6866_zpsd469eb25.jpg (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/Rackmastr/media/IMG_6866_zpsd469eb25.jpg.html)

[Bugle M In]

A 2 year old huh...
That bear will be sitting there for the next 12 years...
Than just when you think it's safe,
You'll come home one evening, there will be a beer in one paw, a smoke hanging out of the mouth, sunglasses and a moosehead baseball cap on top...
Nice mount though!...congrats!

[Rackmastr]

Hahaha you may be right!

[BCbillies]

That's a beautiful bear . . . Well done Trevor. I'm a huge fan of the closed mouth as it's most natural.

[Rackmastr]

Thanks buddy, I really considered the 'slack jaw' look on the form selection, but the simplicity of the closed mouth seemed right to me.

Watching the bear eat and walk for a while before getting a shot, he was open mouthed quite a bit (breathing, chewing, etc) but in the end I'm happy with the choice made.

[Rob Chipman]

That is a magnificent animal!

[gerrygoat]

That's a beautiful bear . . . Well done Trevor. I'm a huge fan of the closed mouth as it's most natural.

I was going to say the same thing, the only time I have seen a bears teeth was when one got bored and yawned. Great work.

[j270wsm]

I had my grizz rug done with the mouth closed as well, not a big fan of looking at teeth for the next 40yrs

[gerrygoat]

I had my grizz rug done with the mouth closed as well, not a big fan of looking at teeth for the next 40yrs

Did the same with my grizz, no regrets at all.

[Rattler]

Awesome mount! Love the closed mouth look and hope my g-bear turns out like yours...

["No Choke"Lord Walsingham]

Fantastic work! I love the expression on this Bear's face.

Just my opinion, but I like the base as is. I personally believe that a busy base with alot going on can (and usually does) easily detract from a mount by distracting one's eye.

[guest]

Absolutely terrific looking mount ! Congrats to you. Great Taxi work !

CT

[hawken]

That looks awesome Trevor! I'm going to have to convince my wife to move to BC.

[warnniklz]

Closed mouth is the way to go in my opinion

[hunter1947]

Very nicely done ,,your workmanship is good as it can get its tops with any other taxidermists..

[Steve W]

Very Nice. To me it's in the eyes. That mount looks like that bear is thinking about it's next move. Very nice indeed!

[Getbent]

wow...not only did you harvest a great animal, you then take and preserve it yourself for many years to come.
It will be an awesome statement in your front entrance...fantastic job!

[Duk Dog]

Having seen the finished product in person Trev really knocked it out of the park. Congrats again on the grizz and fine mount.

[kodiak18]

Looks even better in person! Awesome job! Hopefully we can get drawn for a tag next fall.

[BearStump]

Dude!! You keep on steppin it up with each animal you post up.
Thats one of my dreams, to have a mount done like that of an 8'+ grizz. I know this was your bear and you did it yourself, but whats a ballpark cost to have one done like that one day?

[Rackmastr]

Very nicely done ,,your workmanship is good as it can get its tops with any other taxidermists..

Thanks Wayne. I still have a long ways to go in my eyes and am lucky to have learned from some very respected artists. Hoping that in a few years I'll continue to learn and push myself to learn more.

I'd love to start taking on a couple lifesize projects per year (bear, cats, sheep, goats, etc) as I really enjoy that aspect of the work watching something come together with habitat and rock work.

[Rackmastr]

Dude!! You keep on steppin it up with each animal you post up.
Thats one of my dreams, to have a mount done like that of an 8'+ grizz. I know this was your bear and you did it yourself, but whats a ballpark cost to have one done like that one day?

Thanks man, that's the goal! Keep getting better.

So many variables....but a lifesize bear would be anywhere from $5500-8000 with some options such as open mouth, alterations to form (movement, arms, legs, etc) plus the sky being the limit with habitat.

A simple mount like mine with minimal form changes would be closer to the bottom end of pricing, plus habitat work.

[BearStump]

wow!!:shock: So If I sell my motorcycle I can have one. The wife will probably like that deal...............

[Tīɡ]

Looks amazing! Well done! I read your original post on the actual hunt, sounds like a great hunt. Big congrats on a beautiful bear!

[nature girl]

That is one fine grizzly. I also like the base how it is now. We have a bear done on a base it had grass on it well the cat chewed it mostly off. So if you have a cat think about what your pet can do to the taxidermy work.

[Rackmastr]

That is one fine grizzly. I also like the base how it is now. We have a bear done on a base it had grass on it well the cat chewed it mostly off. So if you have a cat think about what your pet can do to the taxidermy work.

If I had a cat that I needed to consider taxidermy work around, it wouldn't be too long of a consideration and I wouldn't have a cat I needed to consider any longer ;) haha

I have a bit of moss added to it right now and will be adding a small amount of foilage, not too much but enough that it looks realistic. Appreciate the comments!

[Brambles]

Looks great, impressive!

[rocksteady]

Good job Trevor,you definitely got the touch...

If i die, you may be able to make me look perty, that is a tough bill to fill....

[REMINGTON JIM]

Awesome mount there Trevor :smile: - I like the closed mouth natural look too ! :wink: RJ

[elkhunter1234]

Looks awesome Trev.. Wish We would of made the move to the west side of the big pointed rocks like you did 30 years ago..

Jim...

[The Hermit]

Awesome bear and great job on the taxi work!

[srupp]

Hmmmm great job Trev...yup its in the eyes...shot a moose on ariver and went back for the rack the next am...the grizzlywas standing on the carcass exactly as you so wonderfully portrayed...
Still remember your exvitement getting ready for that hunt..
Cheers
Steven

[bowhunterbruce]

wicked awesome job trev, great detail on everything, im wondering though, where ya gonna put the pizza box ?

[rides bike to work]

Very nice mount I haven't yet taken a bear as I have been holding out for a special one. Can you pm me what a life size for a black bear would cost a poor down on his luck struggling father of many sons hunter like me:)

[Rackmastr]

Depends on the size of the bear and a lot of other variables like I posted above, but I'd be somewhere in the $3500-5000 range depending on variables, plus habitat.

So hard to give an estimate without a discussion about the project first. Shoot me a PM if interested in chatting!

[Ramjam]

Nice bear and a great mount ! congrats !

[Wild Images]

Well done Trev, sweet hide on him.