bear skins... ?

[Guy Miner]

My son and I have tagged three bears in the past four years. Really getting addicted to bear hunting. We've found it challenging, interesting, and exciting. The meat is better than anticipated, though I still like it best when made into some sort of sausage. The hides have the potential to be really nice trophies as rugs, and the skulls perched on a bookshelf are interesting themselves.

Our general bear season starts again in about two months, August 1st. We're both eagerly looking forward to bear hunting again - but - if we're successful.... What the heck to do with another bear skin? They take up a huge amount of wall space, spanning about 6x6. I ran out of wall space, and mine is currently draped over the back of the living room couch. Looks fine there, but sitting on the claws isn't really all that comfortable... :grin:

John's bear from last year was a bit bigger I think, should measure out at over 6' long. We've had the pelt tanned, but not turned into a rug. We're just going to hang it from a peg on his wall when it gets back from the tannery.

What the heck else can we do with bear skins? Is there a market for them? Kind of running out of room for more bear skins in the house, but very much want to continue hunting them! The hides are too nice to just leave them out in the hills.

Thanks for suggestions, Guy

 

[6mm Remington]

Guy I have one nice rug and unless I got a Grizzly bear some day :grin: or a really huge black bear, I am in the same field as you. This is what I plan on doing with mine. I'll take it to my taxidermist and offer to sell it to him, or let him just have it and we come up with a reasonable amount that he "puts on my account" so when I have this next deer, antelope, cutthroat, or something else mounted, I'll have that amount towards my new mount!!

 

[gerry]

We sell them to a fur buyer or just leave them in the bush. I know what you mean it seems like a shame to leave them out there.

 

[LD375]

Hi Guy, I'm not sure about your hunting state/states, but here in the province of Ontario the ministry of natural resources has a "hats for hides" exchange program, the hides are donated to make clothing for the Canadian people in need 8) ..I myself have donated many hides from Deer,Moose and Bear,

Lou

 

[DrMike]

Guy, many years ago I made a deal with the lady of the house. I agreed that I would bring home no trophies and she would be restrained in commenting on my proclivity for acquiring firearms and the acoutrements I deemed necessary for hunting. That has ensured a measure of harmony in our household. Accordingly, I have sold hides to fur buyers. I have given away hides to friends who wished to make a rug or who wished to have a mount. And I have left some very fine hides in the bush. We still maintain the bargain, and it has worked well. There seems always to be a place to leave a hide. I do, however, accumulate pictures of the animals I have taken, reliving the hunts as I view again the various photos.

 

[wildgene]

...look up the local smokepole shooters, they're always willing to do some dickering fer a hide...

 

[Darkhorse]

Guy, many years ago I made a deal with the lady of the house. I agreed that I would bring home no trophies and she would be restrained in commenting on my proclivity for acquiring firearms and the acoutrements I deemed necessary for hunting. .

I've made a few deals like that with my wife. Trouble is, I follow the deal but when it comes time for her to own up her end she always has memory loss.

Many traditional blackpowder shooters believe rendered bear grease is the best patch lubricant there is. Might be a little market in that also.

 

[6mm Remington]

Many traditional blackpowder shooters believe rendered bear grease is the best patch lubricant there is. Might be a little market in that also.

I've heard it also makes wonderful pie crusts, to be used in place of the usual shortenings.

 

[DrMike]

Many traditional blackpowder shooters believe rendered bear grease is the best patch lubricant there is. Might be a little market in that also.

Funny you should mention this. Though I'm not shooting black powder, my wife has asked that I bring her some bear fat. One friend needs some to render for saddle balm and my wife will be using it as an arthritis treatment. The Cree and Dene use bear fat for treating rheumatism, and grizzly fat is the best. I know that when I've skinned bears, my hands were noticeably softer and the joints less painful for a week or so after. There may be something to this.

 

[wildgene]

...just render it outside if you want to stay married...

:roll: :lol: :mrgreen:

 

[DrMike]

Hey, I just give her the fat. What she does with it is up to her. I'll disappear into my cave. :mrgreen:

 

[lefty315]

If you have a man cave you can always make a rack of pegs and hang them on it. A friend of mine did that and it looks pretty good when you've got five or six bear skins hanging off that rack mixed in with an occasional fox a coyote or even a cougar. You could always try to talk to a taxidermist and see if they would give you credit towards having other stuff mounted. Don't forget traditional archery folks either. I've seen several back quivers with bear hide draped around the opening.

 

[SJB358]

If you have a man cave you can always make a rack of pegs and hang them on it. A friend of mine did that and it looks pretty good when you've got five or six bear skins hanging off that rack mixed in with an occasional fox a coyote or even a cougar. You could always try to talk to a taxidermist and see if they would give you credit towards having other stuff mounted. Don't forget traditional archery folks either. I've seen several back quivers with bear hide draped around the opening.

That's what I do with mine. I have them soft tanned and hang them around the house. My daughter has my last bear hide at the foot of the her bed. Says she likes the way it feels when she steps outta bed in the morning. Got a couple coyotes and foxes around the house. Love the way they look.

I am short a grizzly though! Ha.

 

[russ808]

Guy, if you know anybody with connections in japan. The love mounts and skins. And pay top dollar.
russ

 

[Guy Miner]

Russ, actually, I do... Huh. Hadn't thought of that.

Great suggestions guys, thanks! We're fine for now with two bear rugs and my son's latest tanned pelt should be coming home soon from the tannery. But... There's only so much wall & floor space for bear skins!

BTW, for those who haven't tried bear hunting yet, I highly recommend it. Very exciting stuff!

Regards, Guy

 

[DrMike]

BTW, for those who haven't tried bear hunting yet, I highly recommend it. Very exciting stuff!

Regards, Guy

Qualifies as the hunt that is guaranteed to stir my blood. It can be excitement compacted!

 

[sask boy]

DrMike, talking about bear hunting have you been out for a jaunt yet to see what you can find?
I am hoping to get out for 3 days the first part of June if the season is still open.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[DrMike]

Dan,

I've been swamped with a variety of jobs. I do hope to get out this week, but it doesn't look good for me at the moment. I'll likely need to simply disappear one morning early and forget to have a phone with me.

 

[Guy Miner]

I need to find a way to go after grizzly at least once in my life... Put that doggone .375 Model 70 to proper use! :grin:

 

[SJB358]

I need to find a way to go after grizzly at least once in my life... Put that doggone .375 Model 70 to proper use! :grin:

Now your talking!