Skinning a Bear for a Rug & Life Size video

[Michelle_Nelson]

I found this video on YouTube this evening and thought it would help a few people out this year.

Part 1 Skinning a Bear for a Rug

Watch to 2:30. . . . .  You really don't seed to watch the salting part because he didn't explain the turning and splitting process.

Part 2 Skinning a bear for a Rug

[NW-GSP]

would a small fillet knife work for skinning? or would you want something more rigid?

[gaddy]

THANK YOU Michelle, really good info.

[Robcat-Bobcat]

Agreed, good info!  I was just learning to skin a black bear last night, first bear i've ever shot!

[Michelle_Nelson]

I have a couple knives that I have found over the years that I prefer using.  What is comfortable for me may not be for you and vice versa.  IMO a fillet knife will work.  Find what what works for you. 

[atc250r18]

So I cut a little forward on one leg, maybe less than 2 inches.  How much of a problem will that be for a rug?

[ML_Hunter]

Good Info! Thanks for posting!  it makes a huge difference from seeing a diagram to actually watching the process being done!

[ML_Hunter]

Michelle, How important is the salting process if one plans to have the bear in at the taxi the same day or day after?

[Michelle_Nelson]

So I cut a little forward on one leg, maybe less than 2 inches.  How much of a problem will that be for a rug?

There is a little bit of a grey areas on the lege when it comes to making the incision.  Sometimes it's not a problem.  Sometimes I've got to sew the section of skin back that belongs there.
 
One of the biggest problems I see is cutting to low across the chest and I have to sew the skin back in the arm pit.  Typically not a big deal but it will cost extra for repairs.

[Michelle_Nelson]

Michelle, How important is the salting process if one plans to have the bear in at the taxi the same day or day after?

The guy was just showing the salting process in the video.  He is a Taxidermist and they were up in AK hunting and probably didn't have access to a freezer for a week.  At that point you should really learn the salting process.
 
If you kill a Bear and your going to take it to the taxidermist that day or the day after you don't have to worry about salting.  Especially if you have access to a freezer, refrigerator, or ice chest.  After killing the Bear and while taking care of the meat lay the hide out in a cool shady spot for an hour or so and let the skin cool down before folding it up and putting it in the Freezer, Frige, or Ice Chest. 
 
Try not to put the head on top or bottom of a pile of hide.  The head will take a long time to cool and or freeze.
 
So say you put the head on top of the hide. . . .the part of the head up against the hide is going to take the longest to freeze and that is usually the spot I notice slippage first if it happens. 
 
Bacteria is what casues hair slippage.  The bacteria will constantly be working on that hide until it is frozen solid or the moisture level in the hide is below I believe 15% after salting.

[Michelle_Nelson]

Bear Season is about to get good!

[bobcat]

Thanks, I will have to study up. I have plans to kill a bear this week. 

[Cap.Silver]

Very helpful information .... how about removing the paws and turning head etc. ? do you do that ? I would like to know how to do that ....

[Michelle_Nelson]

When someone brings in a Bear for me to do a Rug or Mount I expect to have to remove the paws and head.  Along with split, turn, and salting the hide.
 
I am always for showing a client how to do there own hide prep.  Removing the skull, paws, splitting, turning, and salting there hide.  It will always come in handy for when a person goes on a pack in hunt or a hunt where you don't expect to be back to civilization for several days.