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Tanning bear paws on progress pictures

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bjrogg:
I was given two bear hides last year. They have tags all legal and were skinned really well. they left extra flesh around sensitive areas. They basically skinned him so he could be stuffed and left paws on cutting them off at "wrists" leaving the rest unskinned. I couldn't seem to get a grip on the wrist to finish skinny by turning inside out so I made a cut from wrist through pad to toes and claws. Then I skinned out the rest of paws cutting toes at last knuckle joint. I cut all the fat off the pads and am pretty happy but there is still individual pads at base of each claw. Should I slit these pads and cut off fat from them to? I have him in picking bath righ now. He has to stay in there for at least 72 hours      (he's been in for 24) I can take him out to work on him and put him back in. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do with him yet but I'd like to keep his paws and claws on if I can.
Bjrogg

Mounter:
For taxidermy purposes or a wall hanger, there is no need to flesh the toes. The pickle and tan will penetrate those areas and for the most part they will hold their shape when dry... For mounts or full rugs I pack clay in the toes after rehydraiting..

bjrogg:
Thanks so much for the reply Mounter. I'm surprised by the answer. It seemed liked the pad was all fat. Sometimes I think I'd like to get into taxidermy. I just don't have enough time for all my hobbies.
Bjrogg

Mounter:
18 years now bjrogg... It has moments when I still enjoy it.

Just to clarify... I do flesh the main pads just not each individual toe... Bones and meat are removed to the actual claw. Good luck... I finally got my bear out of the freezer from 2013 last year. Fleshed, tanned and open mouth rug mounted... It's been waiting to be finished for 6 months.. One of these days.

bjrogg:
Pretty sure I know what your saying mounter. It's one thing to do it because you feel like it and quite another to do it because you have to. I do love fur and making as much use of animals as I can but it is hard work and some people might even say messy.lol. I'm sure there's faster methods and my fleshing beam really was way to small for Yogi but it took me most of a day to flesh and finish skinning him. How do you get the paws skinned when try cut off bone at wrist joints. I was tempted to screw a handle on the bone and use it to grip for turning inside out. Thanks again for your reply
Bjrogg

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