Tips for skinning Black Bear Half Mount

[freshwateroctopus]

Howdy, Folks,

I was planning on doing a rug this fall and changed my mind. I'd like to try a half mount.

Any tips on skinning the half mount in the field? A lot of online articles show skinning for a rug.

Is it basically a rug skinning and then cutting it in half? Do you take the rear paws for the claws?

Forgive any naivete! I am a newbie moving to Northwest Washington from San Antonio, Texas in about 3 weeks.

Thanks Y'all!

[Woodchuck]

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,190327.0.html

[freshwateroctopus]

Thanks, i did read that post. Now that i look at it again, i am seeing that the rug and dorsal are 2 methods to choose from. That was unclear to me on the first read.

[Woodchuck]

 

[aaronoto]

https://www.fidalgotaxidermy.com/skinning-guide

I would also recommend Fidalgo for your bear mount as well, very happy with the one I got back from them!

[freshwateroctopus]

Thanks, Aaron!

From what i can find, i was looking at either heading up to Custer (40 miles) for Wild Life Art Tax, or down to Fidalgo (40 miles). Nice to have a recommendation for one.

I saw a place called A1 Tax recommended in a thread, but there isn't a website, which seems strange in the 21st century.

If i head up to Custer there is a Crabtree place for meats as well. 2 birds one stone? Unless someone knows of a good meat cutter near Fidalgo Tax without heading down near Standwood.

[aaronoto]

Thanks, Aaron!

From what i can find, i was looking at either heading up to Custer (40 miles) for Wild Life Art Tax, or down to Fidalgo (40 miles). Nice to have a recommendation for one.

I saw a place called A1 Tax recommended in a thread, but there isn't a website, which seems strange in the 21st century.

If i head up to Custer there is a Crabtree place for meats as well. 2 birds one stone? Unless someone knows of a good meat cutter near Fidalgo Tax without heading down near Standwood.

I'd swing by Dave's Sport Shop in Lynden and they can probably give you some recommendations.  I've done my own meat processing so can't speak to that, but I've heard good things about Crabtree.  Hope you're bringing a good set of legs if you're planning on bagging one in the backcountry, I think you'll find the terrain a little different then Texas!

[freshwateroctopus]

Yea, buddy!

I'm going to take her real nice and easy this season. I'm just trying to be as prepared as possible, even though i have realized there is a good chance i won't even see a bear, let alone bag one