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

[idaho guy]

I have done a few hang them on coat racks

[7mmfan]

Good stuff guys, thanks for the photos, that helps me. Are they anywhere near soft or cozy enough to use as a couch blanket? Deer/elk included.

[carpsniperg2]

Kinda depends on the company that does it and there method. I have had several done and different places turn out different. Some are super soft and others are still a little stiff  Yeah yeah I know

[Humptulips]

Good stuff guys, thanks for the photos, that helps me. Are they anywhere near soft or cozy enough to use as a couch blanket? Deer/elk included.

Not a bear but I have a couple cougar I had garment tanned at Moyle Mink and they are quite soft. Easily use as a comforter.

[7mmfan]

So maybe that's the question that needs asked. Is there a specific tanning process that needs to happen to make them very soft? Garment tanning?

[Jonathan_S]

So maybe that's the question that needs asked. Is there a specific tanning process that needs to happen to make them very soft? Garment tanning?

If you go through moyle's I doubt you'll be disappointed with the couch blanket softness.  Elk hair really isn't that soft but the leather can get supple enough for it.  Deer turn out quite nice. 

[shmacker]

Do you flesh the hides yourself or have a taxi do it before sending to Moyles?

[Jonathan_S]

Do you flesh the hides yourself or have a taxi do it before sending to Moyles?

All but a few, I've fleshed to leather myself.  When I lived in an apartment for a couple years, I sent them to a taxi first 

[724wd]

shot this gal out of the top of an apple tree!  The hide is soft, but I doubt you'd want to snuggle up in it. of course this is a fall bear so the hair isn't super thick.

[luvmystang67]

I think I'll soft tan all the rest of my bears.  They make great throws anywhere or walkable rugs for the floor.  When its cold in the winter my wife even lets me toss it across the foot of the bed (its crazy warm).  Sometimes I wear mine around the house and fake swipe at people with the claws.... lol

[fowl smacker]

So maybe that's the question that needs asked. Is there a specific tanning process that needs to happen to make them very soft? Garment tanning?

The process of tanning to make it soft is a dry tan.  A wet tan is what is used for shoulder mounts and such, it dries hard.

[Humptulips]

Anything sent to Moyles needs to be fully fleshed prior to shipping. Typically with furs sent for garment tanning they want them dried. If you are going to send something salted I would contact them prior to shipping. I don't see where they list prices for garment tanning larger furs like bear or cougar. They do list prices for those to be taxidermy tanned but that will be a different price so again I would contact them before shipping.
I believe garment tanned should be less then taxidermy tanned.

[Jpmiller]

I never thought of a throw bear skin. Maybe I'll have to shoot a bear this year now

[Okanagan]

I've had a number of hides soft tanned, or garment tanned.  I like it and like the finished product.  Smaller furs, like bobcat or coyote, come out supple and fabulous to drape over the back of a chair or hang, etc.  The bigger the hide and thicker the natural skin, the less supple it comes out IME.  Cougar is the biggest one that has come out quite soft, but even small bears have been fairly stiff, though the leather side is soft and nice. 

Some of this duplicates what others have said, but for soft tanning, or garment tanning, every bit of the inner membrane must be removed when fleshing.  The ears must be fully turned, and lips split completely or those sections will stiffen and eventually fall off because the tanning chemicals did not reach them during the process.  Sometimes I have done those jobs myself, though I am not good at turning the ears, and sometimes I have paid extra to have the tannery check it and have their pro skinner finish those jobs for me.  I don't think the big tannery in Idaho offers those services, but merely pops the hide into the tanning process however it arrives. 



 

[7mmfan]

I have zero experience with fleshing or tanning, so I'd be heavily reliant on the taxidermist to handle that part for me. I'll be curious to see how my elk hide form last year turns out, I'm excited to get that back soon.