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September 8, 2012
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Hi all, I am totally new to taxidermy and last week I started my first black bear head mount. I have the form on the way.
I am in NL and there are not many people at this business. I really want to learn and I have been reading and watching whatever
I can get my hands on. However I still decided to take the plunge and try it on my own.
Now keep in mind Im totally dumb to all of this, I am heree now with a bear head halfway through the process and I have a million
questions. I joined another forum a few months ago looking for help, but only one guy gave me some help and I still have tons I dont know.
It is a closed mouth I am doing, I have it skinned salted washed all that, and pickled.
I still do have a bit of skin left so I am wondering how important is it to get EVERY bit off? And should I take off the rest now? Or after I tan?
I am well aware this will turn out like crap…..lol…..but I want to try my best,
I dont know where to go with the nose either, I watched the helping hands hanger videos and thats where they stop…..after the cartlidge is split….
What do I do then?
I hope someone can take pity on this girl and take me under your wing! hahaha Hope to hear from someone soon.
Also when I was cleaning the bear I noticed little patches of yellow crusty like substance on several spots on the head, and when I was skinning it I noticed a few holes that
I knew I didnt make!….I wonder if he met up with a shotgun before my 7mm?
July 22, 2011
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Well, to start with welcome to taxitalk.
Now lets slow down a little bit. You said you have this bear salted, washed and pickled. Have you shaved it? And you absolutlely must degrease bears completely or you will have problems. Thats why most folks send them out to be commercially tanned. They can be done in house, but it’s a lot of work.
Have you fleshed/shaved this bear on a machine?
With the nose I would recommend useing a replacement or artificial nose, but before you even worry about all that you need to get the skin taken care of.
What are you useing for the tanning agent?
I need a little more info before I can answer all your questions.
I am assuming NL stands for Newfoundland?
Welcome to the sight! Like D said, getting the skin finished is the most important part. Those little crusty spots may be from another hunter, or most likely from a fight with another bear. It’s not uncommon to have split ears, noses, or lips from fighting. I’ve had bite marks so deep, the skull was actually punctured! But D has more experiance with tanning bears, so I’ll let him help you with that. I just flesh, salt, and send to a tannery. Good luck!
That’s what i do , I send them to Carolina Fur Dressing. I have gotting two back and they are wonderful. Also they will answer any questions you have . I have two more going out this week to them,then three more after that. Please give them a try very nice people.
September 18, 2012
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a bear is fat and hair with a very thin skin between. not to advertise for them but carolina tanned a bear from me and i still dont know how they shaved it so thin.
i tan some but my advice to anyone new is send it to carolina. let them tan for you and focus on the taxidermy part first. that also allows you to see exactly how a skin should be for mounting.
i hope your bear turns out great and dont be hard on yourself. we all had to start some where and improving and progressing in this type of work is very rewarding so enjoy it.
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