Bear rug whats it going to cost us??

[butcher98951]

Friend of mine has a bear with paws and head wondering what its going to cost and who can do it in washington???

[400out]

I know Bucklucky does them
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,65931.0.html

[top pin1]

$150 nose to tip of tail is what I paid..

[BLKBEARKLR]

I charge 140.00 a foot from tip of nose to base of tail.


Joe

[Whitelightning]

Michelle Nelson also does bear, that is who has mine

[Michelle_Nelson]

butcher98951,

Right now I am still going off of my 2010 prices.  I am charging $165 per L/F (nose to tail) to do a Bear Rug.  I am located in Rochester, WA.  (360) 704 - 0034. 

Here is a link to my website:

www.freewebs.com/mntaxidermy 

Here are several links to pictures of Bear Rugs I have done.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,53698.0.html

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,53342.0.html

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,54497.0.html

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,53339.0.html

[400out]

those are expensive  are they really that labor intensive to do?

[dirty24d]

so what does a typical blackie run? 5 feet ?   about 750.00? or am i way off?

[dirty24d]

great rugs michelle!!! wow

[butcher98951]

Thanks for all the respons, i will be seeing him today and let him know the prices and get back to everyone that posted. thanks

[Kuduman]

Butcher98951:

 Lots of great taxidermists on here. I charge $145 per L/F but don't go solely on price. Have your friend visit the taxidermist and see for himself

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,39759.0/topicseen.html

Good Luck

Jeff
A.K.A. Kuduman

[Ray]

At least 500-700 dollars or more depending on the size of the bear... if you are going to get it done right. Otherwise don't waste your time on a poor job. If you can get it done for less than 600 I'd be looking at previous work to ensure quality..

[CastleRocker]

those are expensive  are they really that labor intensive to do?

It's been my experience that most of the time, you get what you pay for.

[Michelle_Nelson]

those are expensive  are they really that labor intensive to do?

It is labor and materials.  Yeah there is a lot of work to a Bear Rug.  It is hard to do a 100% accurate break down of suplies and materials because each Bear varies.

In a nut shell these are the material costs for a 6' Black Bear.

* Tanning @ $28 per L/F = $168.00
* Shipping to Tannery (ship multiple hides@one time) and for Supplies (large order) = $20 - $25
* Head Form w/ Jaw set (price has gone up) = $157.75
* Eyes = $8.50
* Badding (2 yards @ 6.99 per yard) = $13.98
* Backing (2 yards @ 7.99 per yard) = $15.98
* Felt (2 yards @ 4.99 per yard) = $ 9.98
* D-Rings (5 @ $.35 each) = $1.75
* Adhesive = $14.99
* Miscellaneous ( Bondo, Clay, Glues and Hide Pastes, Thread, Paint, Epoxy, Screws) $25

TOTAL = $435.93

That's $435.93 for supplies and we haven't even touched yet on Labor. These can only be approximate times because again each Bear varies.

* Splitting and Fleshing (2 Hours)
* Salting 2 x (45 minutes)
* Head Assembly (1 hour)
* Install Rug Shell ( 2 - 3 hours)
* Stretching the skin and sewing up bullet holes (2.5 hours)
* Rug work including sewing on felt, installing batting, and hand sewing the backing (8 hours)
* Finnish Work (1 hour)


That is 17.25 hours of Labor @ a shop rate of $35 per hours = $603.75.

I should be charging $1039.68 for a 6' Bear Rug.  In 2011 I am $165 per L/F that's $990 for a 6' Black Bear Rug.

Shop rates ($35 per hour) are based on my Hourly Wage, Shop Utilities (Electricity, Water, etc), Purchase of tools and equipment, etc.

Keep in mind that those prices are based on if everything goes right. 

If someone brings in a Bear that is not skinned out correctly, shot in the face, exit wounds I can put my fist through, knife cuts all over the Bear, and I have to make unnecessary repairs than I charge $35 per hour to make those repairs.  Most of the time if I can make the repairs needed within 45 minutes I don't charge.  Anything over that I have to charge.

Here is an example of a Bear cut wrong for a Rug.  This is pretty extream though.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,28803.0.html

[runamuk]

Michelle Nelson also does bear, that is who has mine

And I will add...she does really awesome bear rugs....I have seen a few of them and they are really nice...

[Hyde]

When I was young and in the Air Force, all I wanted to do was learn taxidermy.  I dreamed about it for years, but there was no internet back then, and talking someone into teaching you the art was all but impossible.  I finally made friends with a taxidermist who eventually (after constant nagging by me) taught me some basics.  I'll never forget when he said "boy... you don't become a taxidermist to get rich... you do it because you love the work, the craft, the art."  He impressed on me that days are long, and the pay is little (compared to how hard you work).  Some years later, I was applying for a job as an aircraft mechanic as a civilian.  I walked into that interview with my AF folder, commendations, letters of recommendation, all my written reviews, etc.  I asked about pay, and was floored when the interviewer told me I would start at 8.00 an hour.  He said the same thing I had heard before... you don't become a civilian aircraft mechanic for the pay.   You do it because you love working on airplanes. 

An excellent taxidermist could probably double their prices and still not really make what they are worth.  The craft and "art" of the trade take years to master.  From what I can tell, our "HW family taxidermists" are all excellent, and worth every penny of what they charge. 

I do have to give a big shout out to Buzzi though.... he spent hours measuring my moose, and writing letters to B&C, and SCI for me.  I tried to pay him, he declined.  I sent a check anyway.... he sent it back.  He wouldn't take a penny.  He's a class act for sure, and an outstanding taxidermist!

[Michelle_Nelson]

you don't become a taxidermist to get rich... you do it because you love the work, the craft, the art."  He impressed on me that days are long, and the pay is little (compared to how hard you work).

Thats for sure.

[Michelle_Nelson]

so what does a typical blackie run? 5 feet ?   about 750.00? or am i way off?

Yeah a 5' Blackie at $165 per L/F would run $825.  Plus Sales Tax, in my area it is 7.9%, so $65.18.  Total for the Bear your looking at $890.18.

[sisu]

Taxi work goes like this: YOU PAY FOR WHAT YOU GET if you are using a taxi that has pride in their work, does not cut corners, tell ya up front the cost etc. Ask around, get opinions but remember opinions are just that. Looking at peoples' work tells the truth.