ALot of bears hitting the ground but not much for Taxidermy calls.

[bucklucky]

Kind of surprised with as many bears that have been killed just on this site, that there would be plenty other non members killing bears also. I have only had 2 calls for bears since the first. I wonder if alot of them are getting thrown in the freezer, or just not doing anything with them with the economy how it is. This really kind of hurts right now. I was kind of figuring it may be a slow year for taxidermy. Anyone hiring right now

[Michelle_Nelson]

I bet their putting them in the freezer.  With 2 Bear tags I'd probably do the same thing.  Sit on the first til end of Bear Season and see if I run accross a bigger one.

Some people may be holding their bear to see how they do come Deer and ELk Season as well. 

[rainshadow1]

Economy is a factor I think. I've had 10 inquirys on knives since Saturday... ZERO commitments. Prices haven't changed. That's NOT normal. Something's going on.

[tlbradford]

I had to move all of my guns out of the closet I had them in and into the garage, with the latest addition to the family.  It forced me to use my disposable income on a gun safe.  I do feel better about having them locked up.

Steve I will be calling you sometime in the next year to get another knife, but I am just not sure when.

I scored my big muley rack last night and was kind of disappointed.  (Look for a "guess the score thread" in the near future)  First time I have ever put a tape to a rack, but I thought it would score better based on looking at photos and scores from other folks.  One day I'll call you guys with a couple of bucks to do up for me.  I don't know if I can find a cape big enough for the old bruiser I shot.  I have my work cut out for me there.   

[Bean Counter]

Economy is a factor I think. I've had 10 inquirys on knives since Saturday... ZERO commitments. Prices haven't changed. That's NOT normal. Something's going on.

I'm impressed you haven't used the global increase in metals to raise your prices.

Just looking at all those beautiful knives is causing me to grumble about how ugly and plain mine are. I'm also wondering if life would be easier/funner if I had a knife with a blade I could really really get sharp, even if it meant having to maintain it more often; as discussed in the thread about carbon vs. stainless steel. 

For now, though, I'm afraid I'm with the rest of the group that I need to make some tough calls regarding 'needs' vs. 'wants.'  I, too, may need to pass on a bear rug/mount--even though it would be my first.

Here's to hoping Congress will open up ANWR and allow a few more refineries to drop the price of oil.  Getting rid of the ethanol subsidies to stabilize food markets would help also.. 

[addicted]

im sending angelface home to kill stuff in october. we'll see if she wants to get whatever she gets mounted.

[Bscman]

I was talking to a buddy of mine from Darrington who mentioned someone in his area already having 10 bear to do this season.

MIght just be rumors, though...you know how word of mouth goes.

[PWN Kurt]

I took mine into a taxidermist a week ago.  I think after I get the final bill, I'm not likely to have too many rugs made in the future.  Maybe some skull mounts.

I've had lots of folks ask me, "Can I have your rug?"  but they had no idea how much they cost to do...and the funny thing is, they were all non-hunters!

I hate to see the skin/hide go to waste...what other things can be done with them besides rugs and mounts?

[tmike]

Don't forget about the wife factor. I have a feeling the Hunt-Wa taxidermists will be busy when it's all said and done.

[Black Ghost]

I took mine into a taxidermist a week ago.  I think after I get the final bill, I'm not likely to have too many rugs made in the future.  Maybe some skull mounts.

I've had lots of folks ask me, "Can I have your rug?"  but they had no idea how much they cost to do...and the funny thing is, they were all non-hunters!

I hate to see the skin/hide go to waste...what other things can be done with them besides rugs and mounts?

You can just get them tanned to hang on the wall or stretch of the sofa.  They look cooler rugged out, but significant cost factor!

[popeshawnpaul]

Seems my business is going just fine.  When things go in the toilet people commit more crimes I guess.

[KillBilly]

What do you do with them? I have a close friend whose wife is Colville Indian. Her and her mother make mocassins out of bear hides. They always ask me for them. I never have enough for them. If anyone wants to get rid of theirs, freeze it and get in touch with me.

[Ridgerunner]

Bucklucky, with any luck this year I'll send some business your way, hopefully a big ol moose and a big bear rug to do.  I do think the economy has something to do with it though.

[Ridgerunner]

I scored my big muley rack last night and was kind of disappointed

Have we seen this buck? If not lets see it.  ARchery season is only a couple of weeks away.

[tlbradford]

I'm working on a post right now.  I found out I was measuring it wrong.  I am not disappointed anymore.  I was not measuring the G2's properly (I stopped where it met the G3).  I also forgot to measure the H3and H4 circumphrence.  Now it falls pretty close to what I thought.

[SHANE(WA)]

I have rarely if ever seen a good hide in August on a 300lb or bigger bear, too hot. they dont start putting that hide on till mid sept.Yeah the young ones have pretty good hides, but I dont want some tiny bear rug or half life size

[klikboom]

Im going out for bear this weekend up north, what taxidermist services are in the bellingham to everett stretch? I want to stay optimistic, and if i get one if it has a decent coat at all it'll be a rug. BTW how much does a rug run?

[Michelle_Nelson]

Anywhere from $130 - $175 L/F. 

[billythekidrock]

Im going out for bear this weekend up north, what taxidermist services are in the bellingham to everett stretch? I want to stay optimistic, and if i get one if it has a decent coat at all it'll be a rug. BTW how much does a rug run?

Too much!

[billythekidrock]

Anywhere from $130 - $175 L/F. 

Way too much!

[Michelle_Nelson]

Anywhere from $130 - $175 L/F. 

Way too much!

I think you've just killed to many Bears and are just tired of looking at them.

[saylean]

Im going out for bear this weekend up north, what taxidermist services are in the bellingham to everett stretch? I want to stay optimistic, and if i get one if it has a decent coat at all it'll be a rug. BTW how much does a rug run?

Rod's Taxidermy is in Arlington, not far off of I-5. PM sent with phone number.

[cohoho]

I hate to see the skin/hide go to waste...what other things can be done with them besides rugs and mounts?

Really cool Vests and jackets!!!!!  Got a couple hides that i got and just waiting for another THICK hide to get a full 3/4 length jacket made, why, why not...   Or sell back to the taxis for credit on something you really want in the future...  If hides are good, they can use them in case of complete hackers bringing in items of poor quailty...  Used to always exchange capes and hides for credit of sorts...  A good way to cut your cost and help them out also...  Besides it is Tough to spend alot of money for thin bears, wait till it gets colder and they have better coats... On a positive note you'll save several calfs from preadation this season, so go and blast one for them....  And cut your taxi bills...

[DeKuma]

Do our resident taxi's do this?
Unless it is a really big bear, i will most likely only do a skull, so would not need the hide.  If it is a lot bigger than what I already have, then I might reconsider.....

[MountainWalk]

Id really like to have a pair of bear hair chaps(pronounced shaps..sorry, its a pet peeve). They would look bitchin', be warm, and it would pad me so when some damn moose spooks the *censored* out of my horse and pitches me.

[bucklucky]

I may be willing to give credit for hides. Just depends.

[Slider]

Seems my business is going just fine.  When things go in the toilet people commit more crimes I guess.

lol................... Pope yer Killin me!!!

[billythekidrock]

eally cool Vests and jackets!!!!!  Got a couple hides that i got and just waiting for another THICK hide to get a full 3/4 length jacket made, why, why not...   ..

I know a lady that makes fabulous full length jackets like that. I saw one she was doing for an overseas (Japan?) client. Killer looking, but man I bet it was warm.

[catwithboost]

Find me one to shoot and you can do a rug with it.

[Kent Hunter]

I went out to my taxidermist ( Cedar River) in Ravensdale last Friday to pick up the back half of my Bison hide that I had tanned (hair on) and he said he has been swamped with bear since the opener on Aug 1st. I've just had the hides tanned on the smaller bears that I have shot. Like someone else said they are great to just throw over the back of the sofa in my trophy room and I have one of the old upright brass coat racks that I hang them on with other different hides such as coyote, fox and raccoon. You are right about the cost of rugs and I have both life size mounts and a couple of rugs from my bears. The rugs were almost as much as the lifesize mounts. But I still say that the best and most impressive way to have a "BIG" black bear done is to have it made into a rug. Nothing shows off the size of a truly big black bear the way a rug does. What do you think Bone, Charlie and Michelle?

[bucklucky]

Thats a tough one. A lifesize on a 450 pound bear is pretty dang impressive if the right form is used! But a rug on a 450 pound bear will cover a large wall How bout one of each for me 

[DeKuma]

I went out to my taxidermist ( Cedar River) in Ravensdale last Friday to pick up the back half of my Bison hide that I had tanned (hair on) and he said he has been swamped with bear since the opener on Aug 1st. I've just had the hides tanned on the smaller bears that I have shot. Like someone else said they are great to just throw over the back of the sofa in my trophy room and I have one of the old upright brass coat racks that I hang them on with other different hides such as coyote, fox and raccoon. You are right about the cost of rugs and I have both life size mounts and a couple of rugs from my bears. The rugs were almost as much as the lifesize mounts. But I still say that the best and most impressive way to have a "BIG" black bear done is to have it made into a rug. Nothing shows off the size of a truly big black bear the way a rug does. What do you think Bone, Charlie and Michelle?

How is the new owner of Cedar River?  I have used them on several occasions in the past, but have not been in since '05, before the new owner took over. 

[Ridgerunner]

In talking to the new owner, he worked under Buzzy for over 10 years before getting this shop. I think he has a pretty good reputation but I haven't used him. 

[DeKuma]

I got a letter from him when he took over outlining his experience and work, but have yet to see anything he has actually done himself.  I have been very happy with the work done on my deer and bear.  Not sure how it compares to what I have seen from Bucklucky and Michelle though.
They will most likely be getting my upcoming work.

[Kent Hunter]

Here is a picture of my "06" Blacktail tat the new owner of "Cedar River" did for me. The new owner's name is Rick just like the previous owner. He has also done my wifes "05" whitetail and he is doing my "07" Bison right now. I've been very happy with all of his work so far.