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Tanning bear paws on progress pictures

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Mounter:
For actual rug mounts I just remove the pads, they're not needed. Everything else, just like you did..Slice  around the outside of the pad and pull.  The pads are usually too thick and stiff to turn.

I have sharpened s hooks attached to an overhear beam I hook into the foot, gives you something to pull against. Still alot of knife work, I use replaceable scalpels.

bjrogg:
Thanks again Mounter. I've skinned a lot of animals but not with paws attached and I've never done a bear before. Is there anyway to measure head for skull form after it's skinned? I see them in Van Dykes catalog and curious about measuring for one. Also do you sew felt on or glue it? Hope I'm not asking to many questions here but it seems like I'm talking to the right person.
Bjrogg

Mounter:
I don't want you to get the impression that I'm a bear expert. I don't live in bear country, so only get 4 or 5 a year. Also there's as many ways to do taxidermy as there is to build bows, so I'm sure someone will read this and probably have different advice...


It's a bit of a guessing game. If it's in the pickle or even tanned it shrinks approximately 25%. Once rehydrated with water it will stretch if it's thinned properly. I'd wait to your done tanning, measure it flat and go one size bigger. If it measures 4inch, get the 4 1/2 in form. etc... that should be really close.  I generally have a few sizes to test fit, and that an option, order 2 sizes you think will fit and return the one you don't use.


For most of my rugs hot glue if they want flat felt... if they want a pleated look I send them off to be sewed at about $60 dollars a foot..😳

bjrogg:
Thanks so much again mounter. That's  4 or 5 more than I've ever seen before now so I appreciate every bit of advice I can get. I wasn't planning on making a rug since I didn't shoot this bear anyway but maybe. From what I could see the fur looks great but I didn't see entire hide . Had one hole in the head that I don't think would be to hard to fix. Possibly even just stick together with pins and let dry? If not I can close it with about 3 stitches. I have some ideas for making stuff by cutting him up to. I've got another one in the freezer if I get this one done. I haven't seen it yet curious what it's like. I could see black through hide but not like root folicles when you scrape to thin. I did get one swipe with the fleshing knife to thin and could see hair.
Thanks again
Bjrogg

bjrogg:
Just guessing but it seems like the leather might be similar to coon? Not as grizzly behind the neck maybe. It seems like it should soften up nice.
Bjrogg

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