5'10" Cinnamon Bear Rug w/ Skull (MNTaxidermy)

[seth30]

Michelle, about how much did that fancy piece run?  I am thinking about getting a bear done, but have to save up for one, and reading the charts at taxidermy's it gets a tad confusing for me, since I have never had any taxidermy done. 

[JackOfAllTrades]

Love the work my local taxidermist does but sure wish he would have offered my Bear skull like those you've shown in your recent posts.
Outstanding, Michelle!

Michelle,  Just tell Seth that it ain't cheap, and the bigger the Bear, the more bux you gotta shell out. 

But it's worth it! 

Seth, Personally, I wouldn't spend the money to rug or mount a Bear unless it is at least 6' square/measures at least 6' from nose to tail.  Rugs near 5' long really do look small. Any smaller than that, and most guys will give ya crap for shootin a cub.    Kinda like mounting a forked horn Blacktail. Sure, there's other factors like.. A kids first Bear or one that's in a spectacular color phase, so there are exceptions. But a bust/head wall mount is great for smaller Bears.

-Steve

[carpsniperg2]

i agree with jack my first bear was around 5' and i got a half life mount and that looks pretty good thought about a rug but will save that for a realy nice big bear with a thick coat or a cinn bear

[seth30]

Steve thanks for the intel, I want to mount my first bear, but not sure if it will be a rug or shouldr mount.

[Michelle_Nelson]

Seth30,

I charge $150 per Linier Foot (L/F).  That is measured from tip of nose to base of tail.  Measurements are taken after the Bear rug is complete.

5' Bear is $750 + $59.25 tax.
 
6' Bear is $900 + 71.10 tax.

7' Bear is $1050 + 82.95 tax

IMO it is up to the hunter to make the decision if an animal is worth spending the money on to have it mounted.  Doesn't matter if it is a 4' Bear or a 7' Bear.  It shouldn't be so much about "WOW that Bear is so big it deserves to be mounted".  It should be more about WOW this was one of the most memorable hunts I have ever been on, a personal best, or, this is the last animal me and my dad took befor he died, etc.  

[seth30]

Michelle,

thanks for the info!!

Seth

[rasbo]

good prices,my skunk should be oh,75.oo

[bowhunterforever]

Nice bear and rug

[bow4elk]

Nice work, Michelle! 

[Hunter Dug]

great colors, great job.

[Whitelightning]

NICE Michelle, Your work is awesome. I cant wait to see mine when your finished

[Michelle_Nelson]

Thanks alot guys for the compliments.

Rasbo it would be $75 for the rug with a $500 gag fee added on. 

[cohoho]

Seth30-  Mount whatever bear you decide is a trophy...  Some of bears that I did for rugs were for specific reason, extremely thick coats, or first bear with a bow, kids first etc...  I have seen alot of bears with some size that look like crap with the summer thin hair and all, those should never be made into a scrawny thin rug and best left for shoulder mounts.  Alot of times those thin furred bears looks like someone took a decent and stretched it to a bigger than it turned out the the fur is so thin and crappy looking...  Do what you feel is right and if there is question on hide condition have someone like Michelle tell what would look best...  She does great looking bear rugs for sure from what I have seen...

[seth30]

Coho,

that makes sense.  Plus since I live with three dogs I would have to keep the rug up on the wall away from labs inquistive chewing teeth   I have a 12 year gap from hunting in WA, and I think at this point anything I get will be trophy material

[Pathfinder101]

Nice work Mich!  I couldn't see the pics on my work computer, had to wait til I got home.  What a beautiful color-phase bear...