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
