Anyone get their bears soft tanned, not rugged? Other species as well?

[7mmfan]

I feel like I'm on the track to get my first bear this year, feeling pretty confident about some areas I've scouted recently. I really don't have any interest in a felted bear rug, but I would like to save the hide and maybe just soft tan it. Has anyone else done this, maybe have pictures of the end product? I'm having my elk hide from last year tanned right now, I'm excited to get that one back. I'm considering trying to get a hide from each of my target big game animals tanned in the next few years. Bear, elk, mule deer, and blacktail. Maybe add a whitetail and pronghorn in there for kicks at some point.

[724wd]

I have a tanned bear hide. Face is intact, but the lips and eye holes are a bit ragged, as you would expect from such soft skin. It's a nice wall decoration. I'll get some pics.

[carpsniperg2]

I have done bobcat and yotes. They are nice for the wall but like 724ws said the eyes and mouth are kinda ragged looking.

[7mmfan]

I would almost consider not having the head on a soft tanned bear hide, but I'd have to see it first. I suppose if it gets done head on and it creeps everyone out I can just get rid of it.

[ghosthunter]

I had mine tanned last year. Just like a rug but no skull or batting.

[7mmfan]

I had mine tanned last year. Just like a rug but no skull or batting.

Any photos of the finished product?

[buglebuster]

Here is a pic of my spring bear from last year. I got it soft tanned, not the best pic of it tho

[tlbradford]

If I remember I will get you a photo tonight of my soft tan as well.  It looks fine with the head on, and this gives you options down the road.  Plus you can hang it from a hook at the nose.  I think it cost about $350 for the soft tan.

[kselkhunter]

Has anybody used a soft tanned bear skin as a throw blanket?

I was contemplating going the soft tanned route (no head) and sowing a soft fleece blanket to the bottom and using it as a throw in the living room décor.   Just curious if others have tried that route. 

[Jonathan_S]

I'm a fan of soft tan deer, bear and elk.  Have done a "few" myself and even if I couldn't, would have a few done.

[trophyhunt]

Hair on tan with 99% of my bears, just throw them over the back of couch.  Not soft enough for blankets and the have the claws attached. 

[ghosthunter]

There is also some air time needed right after you get them back.

[ghosthunter]

I had mine tanned last year. Just like a rug but no skull or batting.

Any photos of the finished product?

Here ya go.

[bolsen]

Bear from a couple years ago

[tlbradford]

There is also some air time needed right after you get them back.

Yes.  Hung mine in the garage for several months.  I would say depending on room size and ventilation, you may would do the same for 3-6 months.  Maybe there is a trick to speed this up, but I have never researched.