Bear help

[noahs ark]

Hey guys just looking for some advise on how to properly skin a black bear for a rug. Any info would be a great help as i am new to hunting bear. I think ive got it mostly figured out but i dont want to butcher this thing around the head and paws. Thanks to those who reply.

[digger dogger]

google, "how to skin a bear for a rug" there's a detailed step by step!
click, on the alaska blk bear field guide care guide.

[mainland hunter]

Here's a couple links. It's important to make your cuts as symmetrical as possible and in the right places to get a nice full even looking rug.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDKZ8J66Uaw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTRWf1luDSU&feature=related

[Bear Chaser]

Hmm. Couple good videos there. I would have liked him to provide more detail around the paws and head. Lots of good tips there though. The most important thing is to take your time and err on the side of caution. It's easier to trim a little extra fat & meat off the hide after the bear is skinned than to hide extra cuts through the hide.

[RJ]

Here is a step by step, paws included.
http://outdoorsdirectory.com/magazine/blbcare.htm

If it was my trophy, I would leave the paws and head for the taxidermist.

[gbear]

I agree, if you aren't days away from town, you can leave the head and paws for the taxidermist to do. That's what I have done with both my bears. The video's are good to watch ahead of time. I would also suggest talking to your taxidermist up front. Mine gave me a diagram to keep in my pack that could provide a reference if I couldn't remember what he said.

[BearSniper]

Here's my 2 cents.

Bring lots of salt, and several sharp knives.:wink:

I get 2 big 12kg (25 lb) bags of salt from Costco or Buckerfileds, or the Co-op. I take 5 of my knives and sharpen them super sharp before the trip.

Once we're skinning, if a knife gets dull, set it aside and get a fresh one. That way you don't waste time sharpening. If you have to, get second hand knives at the flea market or on Craigslist.

Once the Bear is skinned out, salt it, stuff it with salt, and roll it up. You can never oversalt. The salt helps pickle the flesh and sets the fur in.

I also think your taxidermist will thank you if you use lots of salt. Remember, good salting in the bush, pays for a nice rug that'll last years on the wall.

cheers

BearSniper

[noahs ark]

Great advise thanks guys, looks like i have my work cut out for me. Im only planning on doing this one rug so now all thats left is everything. Hopefully ill be posting pics next week got a few days off...