How long to defrost a bear hide.

[tgomez]

I took my bear out of freezer yesterday at 9am and it is still half to 3/4 frozen. How long before I can skin out pads/head. I don't want hide to slip, so I want to do as quick as possible. I plan on salting immediately as soon as I flesh the big pieces of fat off. Any help surely appreciated. Thank you!

[X-Force]

Im no expert but you want to open the hide up as much as possible while its thawing. The problem with freezing bears with there heads and paws on and in a ball (not laid out) is that the outside of the ball can be rotting by the time the middle starts to thaw.

I would start skinning and fleshing everything that is pliable, spread it out and continue peeling the ball (hide) out 

[tgomez]

Here's a picture of todays work got hide mostly thawed and 3/4 of hide fleshed. I just have to finish skinning pads and head when they defrost fully. I salted the hide where I have fleshed already. When I finish head and pads tommorow, I will give the hide a good stretch, then pack pads with salt. I will then re- salt the entire  hide again. Here's my work for now after 5 hours of fleshing and 20 min of salting the hide. Hopefully Im doing this correctly, it will be my first rug atempt.

[Romulus1297]

So far you are doing fine.   Don't boil the skull that will only shrink it. Find some beetles .  Keep posting updates on your progress.

[tgomez]

Just got done skinnng out the head and pads. I fleshed off as much meat/fat ass I could, filled pads with salt and rubbed in another 5 pound of salt. Will come back tommorow evening and shake out hide and re-salt the entire hide with 15 more pounds. I will then leave for 48 hours and start hang drying it. Lots of work, and a new found respect for taxidermist. But Im saving a boatload of cash doing it myself, and I'm enjoying the challenge!

[cedarriver]

Sounds to me like u have done everything correctly. When u say done fleshing you have all the meat and fat off hide right?

[tgomez]

Yes, all the meat and fat is skinned off. My father is going to turn the ears and lips for me when he returns from elk hunting tommorow. I dont know how to turn ears at all. I put a total off 19 pouns of salt into and on the hide. I literally just trimmed all the meat of the skull. Here's a picture, till next time.

[tgomez]

European skull completed! Have to try to get rug done as soon as I get a little $. What do my fellow huntets think open or closed mouth for the rug?

[AdnaHunter]

Open

[n_mathews13]

I know on a half mount on the wall I'd say part open is the best
For a rug that's tough, I have one open. My next rug I thought about doing a partial open mouth

[tgomez]

Was just wondering because everyone seems to love open. I also think it looks great, but have never seen a black bear with his/her mouth that open or in that fierce of a position. I just was thinking that closed would look more natural.

[n_mathews13]

"never seen a black bear with his/her mouth that open or in that fierce of a position. I just was thinking that closed would look more natural. "


You are right

[tgomez]

I know on a half mount on the wall I'd say part open is the best
For a rug that's tough, I have one open. My next rug I thought about doing a partial open mouth

This is a great idea! 50/50 just like I love my drinks! I may have to steal your idea my friend.

[Eric M]

How did the finished product look?

[billythekidrock]

Was just wondering because everyone seems to love open. I also think it looks great, but have never seen a black bear with his/her mouth that open or in that fierce of a position. I just was thinking that closed would look more natural.

Closed would be my opinion. We have three mounts and I prefer the closed.

[Eric M]

Was just wondering because everyone seems to love open. I also think it looks great, but have never seen a black bear with his/her mouth that open or in that fierce of a position. I just was thinking that closed would look more natural.

Closed would be my opinion. We have three mounts and I prefer the closed.

He mentioned doing it half open. Also mentioned it was his first rug attempt, I was reading this thread, and then it just stopped. Like reading a book with the last chapter ripped out.

[BlackRiverTaxidermy]

Tgomez,
Are you planning on tanning the bear yourself or sending it to a tannery? Also, next time, be REALLY careful when your thawing it. Several days of thawing for a bear can be really 'iffy' for hide slippage. Some big hides such as moose, bear, etc. can actually commence with the rotting process before it becomes fully thawed (outside thaws first with inside/rolled up section still frozen). The best way of thawing any hide is to add it to a pickle bath (acid/salt/water based solution). This allows the hide to thaw with NO chance of cape slippage due to the properties/low PH of the bath. Fleshing and salting still needs to occurred, but after it completely thaws. This goes for any frozen animal used in taxidermy. I would be happy shared with you the pickle solution ingredients. The pickle also makes the leather MUCH softer and breaks down fats and removes bacteria. You can literally leave hides in a pickle solution for months with no degradation of the hide, hair/fur, and it makes the leather softer the longer you leave it in....as long as your PH levels stay low enough. \
Also, did you degrease the skull? If you miss this step (which can take up to several months with bear skulls) the skull will yellow quickly and develop a horrible smell due to the trapped greases and oils within the bones of the skull. I can help you with that too if you want some steps. Best of luck and looks good! Joel - BRT

[Natures Way]

I know this post is old, you did it the best way!